She pulled away, incredulous. ‘When did you hear this?’
‘Only this afternoon. I spoke with a second rider, who’d arrived from Rome. The Senate sent him with advice for the city’s leaders.’
She needed him to say the words. ‘So you’re saying that Father might be alive?’
He kissed her on the forehead. ‘He’s probably planning your wedding as we speak.’
‘The gods be thanked.’ How could I have doubted them? She managed a wan smile. ‘Have you told Mother?’
‘Yes. She said that I should be the one to tell you.’
Then Aurelia thought of Quintus, and her misery resurged. ‘What about my brother?’ she whispered.
‘Just because he disappeared doesn’t mean he’s dead.’
‘Why would he not come home, though?’
‘I don’t know, Aurelia, but he must have had a good reason. Quintus is no coward, you know that. He wouldn’t do something like this on a whim.’
‘I know. But what could his reasons have been? A girl?’
‘They’d been marching for weeks. He wouldn’t have had the time to get to know any.’
They gazed at each other, thinking the same thing.
In an effort to distract herself from how close Gaius was, Aurelia voiced the thought first. ‘Could it have been to do with Hanno?’
‘I don’t see how it could have been. How would he ever make contact with Quintus? They’re in opposing armies.’
‘And even if he did, what would make Quintus run away?’ She shook her head in frustration. ‘It doesn’t make any sense.’
‘But thinking about it logically has cheered you up a little.’ He gave her an affectionate squeeze. ‘Quintus will reappear sometime, never you fear.’
‘Thank you, Gaius.’ Aurelia smiled ruefully, feeling better than she had for many hours. Why can’t Lucius be more like you? she thought, looking up at him in admiration. Her head moved a fraction towards his. He didn’t move away, and her breath caught in her chest. She dropped her gaze until all she could see was his nose and lips. A fingersbreadth closer. Still he didn’t pull back. His breath was warm on her face. Gods, but she had never wanted to kiss someone so much. Their lips brushed, sending a jolt of energy through every part of her.
‘Who did you say was here?’ Carrying in from the courtyard, Atia’s voice was loud with displeasure.
The slave’s reply was pitched too low to be discernible, but by then the magic had vanished. They moved apart awkwardly, not looking at each other.
‘Show him in. He’ll only wait outside if I don’t see him,’ Atia ordered.
Gaius frowned. ‘Who could that be?’
‘Phanes,’ spat Aurelia.
‘Who?’
‘He’s a moneylender.’
‘What would someone like that want with your mother?’
Gaius would find out sooner or later, she thought. Besides, what did it matter if he knew? Quickly, she filled him in on what her mother had told her.
‘Why didn’t your father ask mine for help? Or your mother?’
‘Could you, in a similar situation?’ she challenged.
‘It’s not easy to ask a friend for a loan, I suppose,’ he admitted.
‘I want to hear what he has to say.’
‘I don’t suppose that Atia will be too appreciative of that idea.’
‘What she doesn’t know won’t harm her,’ replied Aurelia as she padded to the door and peered outside. Her mother was facing the tablinum door, waiting for her unwanted visitor. Aurelia watched for a few moments. Phanes eventually appeared, accompanied by Martialis’ major domo. Atia greeted him in a cold voice; she made no move to welcome him further into the house, forcing the Greek to stand in the doorway. Aurelia wanted to stamp her foot. Her bedroom was too far away to be able to hear a word. She slipped out, ignoring Gaius’ hiss of dismay.
The courtyard had been designed in typical fashion, with statues and plants — vines, olive, lemon and fig trees — throughout. Using these as cover, Aurelia darted forward until she was close enough to eavesdrop. A glance behind her revealed that Gaius had accompanied her. She crouched down behind a large statue of Jupiter Grabovius, an Oscan version of the god revered by Romans, one whom Martialis also worshipped. Gaius crowded in behind her; she relished the feel of his chest against her back.
‘I sent a message informing you of the new arrangements. The first payment will be with you next month,’ Atia muttered.
‘When first we talked, you promised that I would have the money within a month. To try to change our agreement without consulting me about it is unacceptable,’ said Phanes sharply.
A pause. ‘It has been more difficult than I thought to raise the funds.’
‘As well it might. We live in times of war. What assurance have I, however, that you will meet this new deadline? I would be entirely within my rights to bring proceedings against you at once.’
‘Gods above, what more proof do you need than my word?’
Aurelia could hear the strain in her mother’s voice. Anger coursed through her, but she too was helpless. Martialis, who might have come to their aid, had gone on his daily outing to the baths and wouldn’t be back for hours.
‘Do you want my jewellery, is that it?’ Atia’s bracelets clinked off one another as she began stripping them from her wrists.
‘Keep your trinkets. They are of little consequence against a debt of this size,’ retorted Phanes, his tone thick with contempt. ‘I will agree to the later date on the condition that the interest rate is increased to six drachms in every hundred. Calculated weekly.’
‘That’s daylight robbery!’ cried Atia.
Aurelia felt Gaius tense with fury. Her own blood was boiling now. She peeked around Jupiter’s foot. Phanes had still not replied. He was just looking at her mother, a little smile playing across his thin lips. ‘Call it what you will,’ he said at last. ‘That’s my offer. You can take it or not, as you wish. If you refuse, I will instruct my lawyer to petition the courts this afternoon.’
A short silence.
‘You leave me no choice,’ said Atia, her shoulders sagging. ‘I agree to your terms.’
The low-down prick, thought Aurelia. Her anger was so all-consuming that she didn’t realise she’d leaned too far forward until it was too late. The next thing she knew, she was sprawling forward and landing flat on her face. She looked up to find her mother regarding her with horror. Phanes was smirking.
‘Have you been eavesdropping?’ demanded Atia.
‘Clearly,’ said Phanes. ‘And not very well either.’
‘I–I’m sorry, Mother,’ stuttered Aurelia, getting to her feet.
‘You will pay for this! Go to your room!’
Before Aurelia could move, Gaius had stepped out from behind Jupiter. ‘My pardon, Atia, it is I you should blame.’
Atia’s lips thinned, while Phanes’ expression verged on delight. ‘Explain yourself,’ hissed Atia.
‘We heard voices. Aurelia recognised that of the moneylender.’ He loaded the word with disdain. ‘She’d told me of your. . difficulties. . and wanted to listen. She was scared to, but I encouraged her. It was wrong, and I apologise.’ He stuck out his chin a little.
‘I see.’ Atia’s gaze shot from Gaius to Aurelia and back again. Both were careful not to look away. She scowled, momentarily defeated. ‘Your father will hear of this shocking behaviour. I do not expect to be eavesdropped upon whilst I am dealing with my family’s private business matters.’
Gaius bowed his head in acceptance. ‘No, of course not.’
‘Leave us, both of you,’ ordered Atia.
Aurelia began to breathe again. She turned to go, but Phanes’ voice coiled around her as a whip might. ‘Touching how close the two of them are, is it not?’ he asked.
‘What is it to do with you?’ Atia’s tone was glacial.
‘Nothing, nothing at all. I merely wonder if Melito is aware of their. . intimacy?’
‘You go too far, you piece of filth!’ shouted Atia. A slave on the far side of the courtyard, who was watering the plants, looked up in surprise. She lowered her voice. ‘How dare you impugn my daughter’s honour?’