To Love Again - Bertrice Small [111]
Zeno was horrified, but his face did not show his consternation. “If my lady will follow me,” he said calmly.
It was a charming little villa, Flacilla thought. She had never been here before. A bit too rustic for her taste, but peaceful. She could not, however, understand why Aspar would prefer it to his palace in the city. Making herself comfortable upon a marble bench, she sat down to wait for her wine and for her husband to make an appearance.
Aspar arrived before her refreshment. His greeting was less than cordial. “What are you doing here, Flacilla? What could have possibly brought you into the country on a winter’s morning at so early an hour?” He looked distinctly uncomfortable, and she wondered why. Then it dawned upon Flacilla that her husband, the morally upright Aspar, had taken a mistress. He was living with her and wanted no one to know of it. Why, the old fox! Flacilla almost laughed aloud. “I have come on a matter of some importance,” she began, swallowing to conceal her amusement.
“Yes?” he said, shifting on his feet.
“I want a divorce, Aspar!” Flacilla burst out. This was no time to be coy. She didn’t give a damn if he had one or a hundred mistresses tucked away here in the country. She had been twice wed to please her family. Now she wanted to marry for her own sake.
“You want a divorce?” His look was almost incredulously comical.
“Ohh, Aspar,” she said with utmost candor, her words tumbling out quickly, “our marriage was one of politics. You got what you wanted—the support of the patriarch and the Strabo family in Leo’s behalf. I got what I thought I could live with, being the wife of the most powerful man in Byzantium. But ours has been no true marriage. We detested each other on sight! We have never spent a single night, including our wedding night, in the same bed, or under the same roof. You do not really want me. You have even taken Patricius from my care.
“Well, I am no longer a girl, and for the first time in my life I am in love. I want to marry Justin Gabras, and he wants to marry me. Let me have a divorce, and in exchange I will be your eyes and ears in Verina’s court. Verina is very ambitious for both herself and Leo. She would dispose of you if she thought she could, and one day she may think to do so. If I am there for you, you will have no unpleasant surprises to contend with from that quarter. It is a fair offer!”
He was astounded. If they both wanted the divorce, then the patriarch could hardly contest them, and the Strabos could not be offended. “Yes,” he said slowly. “It is a fair offer, Flacilla. Why did you not speak to me about this yesterday when I came for Patricius?”
“Justin asked me the same thing,” Flacilla lied, “but as I told him, I was so distraught by Patricius’s departure that I was not thinking clearly; and then you were gone with the child. I promised him, however, that I would come to you this very day and settle the matter.”
“I have brought wine, my lord.” Zeno had reappeared. He set the goblets and the carafe on a small inlaid table.
“You need not bother to pour,” Aspar said. “I will. Return to your duties,” he finished meaningfully, hoping Zeno understood.
“At once, my lord,” was the emphasized reply, but at that moment disaster descended as Cailin entered the atrium.
“I have been told we have guests, my lord,” she said.
Flacilla Strabo’s mouth dropped open. She stared hard at the girl, and then managed to gasp, “You! It is you!”
Cailin looked confused. “Lady, do I know you?” she replied.
“You are the girl from Villa Maxima! Do not bother to deny it! I recognize you!” Flacilla shrieked, and then she began to laugh. “Ohh, Aspar,” she chortled, “you were faithful to Anna, and then waited years past the time when most men take a mistress. Now, in the twilight of your years, you choose one, and she is the most notorious girl in all of Byzantium! You will give me my divorce, and we will call the matter even. If you do not, I shall tell the world of your whore, and then you