To Love Again - Bertrice Small [152]
Jovian looked helplessly at Casia, and she shrugged. “Ohh, very well! If you must know, my lord, I came to gain a closer look at the gladiators. There! Are you satisfied now?”
Justin Gabras burst out laughing. “You women are all alike,” he said. “A look, you say? Is that all, Casia? Perhaps what you really wanted was to sample their passions. Which is it who takes your fancy? The Saxon? The Hun? Were you still a resident of this house, you would have had your pick of them tonight, would you not?”
“Big, sweaty men with big cocks and childish minds do not make particularly good lovers,” Casia replied coolly. “Their bodies, however, are beautiful, and I am a lover of beauty, my lord. I could see little from our box in the Hippodrome, which is why I came to Villa Maxima. Perhaps I have chosen a bad time. I can come back in the morning.”
Jovian, who was astounded by Casia’s speech, finally found his voice. “Yes, my darling, that would really be better,” he agreed. “Their day has been long, and they are about to enjoy a fine meal and the kind of entertainment that only Villa Maxima can provide. Come back in the morning and I will introduce you to them all. You may even see them in the baths.” What was Casia about? This behavior of hers was quite out of character. “I will escort you to your litter.”
“Thank you, dear Jovian,” Casia said with a smile.
“And I will come, too,” Justin Gabras told them.
“It is not necessary, my lord,” Casia said quickly.
“But I insist,” Justin Gabras said, smiling toothily at her.
When they had reached the litter, Casia said loudly, “I will come back in the morning, Jovian, and see those beautiful bodies then.”
Before she could stop him, Justin Gabras leaned down and pulled the litter’s curtains aside. His eyes widened, and reaching in, he pulled a resistant Cailin forth. “Well! Well! Well! And what have we here? Flavius Aspar’s bride-to-be come home for a little visit? Did you come to see the gladiators, too, my pet? Or was the purpose of your visit to relive old times?”
Cailin shook his hand off her arm and glared icily at him.
“It’s all my fault,” Casia burst out. “Aspar was called to the palace after the games today. I said I would take Cailin back to Villa Mare, but I did so want to get a close look at those marvelous men. I detoured my litter here. Cailin did not want to come, and as you see, she has remained in the litter, practically hiding. If Aspar finds out, he will not let us remain friends!”
“If Aspar finds out, the wedding will most likely be off,” Justin Gabras said drolly.
“I think not, my lord,” Cailin said. “I have done nothing wrong, and my lord Aspar knows I am not a liar. If I but tell him the truth of this matter, he will believe me.”
“Probably he will,” Justin Gabras admitted, “but will the imperial court? Or the patriarch? They will be all too eager to believe the worst of you, Cailin Drusus.” He laughed. “Just today I told my wife that you were now inviolate. It seems that I was wrong.”
“Who is to say that we were here today?” Casia demanded. “Given who your wife is, my lord, do you think you will be believed if you tell tales?” She pushed past him, taking Cailin’s hand in hers. “Come, I must get you back to Villa Mare before it grows dark and the road cannot be seen. I will stay the night with you.”
“No!” Justin Gabras grasped Cailin’s other arm in a bruising grip. He had already devised a wicked plan by which he might discredit her.
“Jovian!” Casia appealed to the master of the house.
“Jovian cannot help you, my dears,” Gabras said. “What do you expect him to do for you? You came here of your own free will. I did not force you to come. Now you will stay, and amuse my guests.”
“My lord Gabras,” Cailin said pleadingly, “why do you do this thing? What have I ever done that you should hate my lord Aspar so?”
“I do not know Flavius Aspar well enough to hate him,” was the cold reply, “but I am tired of hearing my wife Flacilla whine for revenge upon him for their loveless