as you.’
Tubruk nodded. ‘Dawn then. I suggest you rise at least an hour or two before daybreak, for stretching exercises and a light breakfast.’ He rose and bowed to Gaius. ‘Sir?’
‘You may leave, Tubruk,’ Gaius said, his face straight.
Tubruk left.
Marcus raised an eyebrow, but Gaius ignored him. They were not in private and could not enjoy the casual relationship of the estate. Kin or not, Marius’ house was not a place to relax. Tubruk had reminded them of this in his formal style.
Marcus and Cabera departed soon after, leaving Gaius to his thoughts. He lay back on a couch and stared at the night stars over the open garden.
He felt his eyes fill. His father was gone and he was stuck with strangers. Everything was new and different and overwhelming. Every word had to be considered before it left his mouth, every decision had to be judged. It was exhausting and, not for the first time, he wished he were a child again, without responsibility. He had always been able to turn to others when he made mistakes, but who could he turn to now? He wondered if his father or Tubruk had ever felt as lost as he did. It didn’t seem possible that they knew the same fears. Perhaps everyone had them, but hid their worries from others.
When he was calm again, he rose in the darkness and walked silently out of the room, barely admitting his destination to himself. The corridors were silent and seemed deserted, but he had walked only a few paces before a guard stepped towards him and spoke.
‘Can I help you, sir?’
Gaius started. Of course Marius would have guards around his house and gardens.
‘I brought a slave in with me today. I would like to check on her before I sleep.’
‘I understand, sir,’ the guard replied, with a small smile. ‘I’ll show you the way to the slave quarters.’
Gaius gritted his teeth. He knew what the man was thinking, but speaking again would only worsen his suspicions. He followed in silence until they came to a heavy door at the end of the passage. The soldier knocked quietly and they waited for only a few moments before it opened.
A senior female glared at the guard. Her hair was greying and her face quickly set into disapproving lines, clearly a common expression with her.
‘What do you want, Thomas? Lucy is asleep and I’ve told you before …’
‘It’s not for me. This young man is Marius’ nephew. He brought a girl in with him today?’
The woman’s manner changed as she perceived Gaius, who was shaking his head in painful silence, wondering how public things were going to get.
‘Alexandria, wasn’t it? Beautiful girl. My name is Carla. I’ll show you to her room. Most of the slaves are asleep by now, so tread quietly, if you please.’ She beckoned for Gaius to follow and he did so, neck and back stiff with embarrassment. He could feel Thomas’ eyes on his back before the door closed gently behind him.
This part of Marius’ house was plain but clean. A long corridor was lined with closed doors and there were small candles in holders along the walls at intervals. Only a few were lit, but enough light was shed for Gaius to see where they were going.
Carla’s voice was lowered to a harsh whisper as she turned to him.
‘Most of the slaves sleep in a few large rooms, but your girl was put in one of her own, that we keep for favoured ones. You said to treat her kindly, is that true?’
Gaius blushed. He had forgotten the interest that Marius’ slaves would take in Alexandria and himself. It would be all over the house by the morning that he had visited her in the night.
They turned a final corner and Gaius froze in astonishment. The final door of the corridor was open and, against the low light from within, he could see Alexandria standing there, beautiful in the flickering candlelight. She alone would have caused him to take a quick breath, but there was someone with her, leaning against the wall in the shadows.
Carla darted forward and they both recognised Marcus at the same time. For his part, he seemed just as surprised to see them.
‘How did you get in here?’ Carla asked, her voice strained.
Marcus blinked.
‘I crept about the place. I didn’t want to wake everyone up,’ he answered.
Gaius looked at Alexandria and his chest tightened with jealousy. She looked annoyed, but the glint in her eyes only heightened her tousled appearance. Her voice was curt.
‘As you can both see, I am fine and quite comfortable. Slaves have to be up before dawn, so I would like to go to sleep, unless you want to bring Cabera or Tubruk along as well?’
Marcus and Gaius looked on her with surprised expressions. She really seemed quite angry.
‘No? Then good night.’ She nodded to them, her mouth firm, and gently closed the door.
Carla stood with her mouth open in astonishment. She wasn’t sure how to start apologising.
‘What are you doing here, Marcus?’ Gaius demanded, keeping his voice low.
‘Same thing as you. I thought she might be lonely. I didn’t know you were going to make it a social occasion, did I?’
Doors were opening along the corridor and a low female voice called, ‘Everything all right, Carla?’
‘Yes, dear. Thank you,’ Carla hissed back. ‘Look. She’s gone to bed. I suggest you two follow her example before the whole house turns out to see what’s happening.’
Grim-faced, they nodded and walked back down the corridor together, leaving Carla with her hand over her mouth to stop her laughing before they were out of earshot. She nearly made it.
As Alexandria had predicted, the house of Marius came suddenly alive a good two hours before dawn. The kitchen ovens were lit, the windows opened, torches placed along the walls until the sun rose. Slaves bustled around, carrying trays of food and towels for the soldiers. The silence of the dark hours was broken by coarse laughter and shouts. Gaius and Marcus were awake at the first sounds, with Tubruk only a little behind them. Cabera refused to get up.
‘Why would I want to? I will just throw on my robe and walk to the gates! Two more hours till dawn sounds good to me.’
‘You can wash and have breakfast,’ Marcus said, his eyes lively.
‘I washed yesterday and I don’t eat much before noon. Now go away.’
Marcus retreated and joined the others as they ate a little bread and honey, washed down with a hot, spiced wine that filled their bellies with warmth. They had not spoken of the events of the night before and both could feel a small tension between them and silences in the spaces they would usually have filled with light talk.
Finally, Gaius took a deep breath.
‘If she likes you, I will stay out of it,’ he said, each word pronounced clearly.
‘Very decent of you,’ Marcus replied,
