To Love Again - Bertrice Small [88]
“I thought the emperor was your most powerful man,” Cailin replied.
“Flavius Aspar is the empire’s most famed general. He has personally chosen the last two emperors. Both the late emperor, Marcian, and this emperor, Leo, owe their positions to Aspar.”
“And what has your general to do with me, my lord?” Cailin took a slice of melon offered her by Isis. It was wonderfully sweet, and the juice ran down her chin. She flicked out her tongue to catch it.
“I have sold you to him,” Jovian said, biting into his own piece of the ripe fruit. “He paid fifteen hundred gold solidi for you, my dear. Did I not tell you that your value would increase?”
“You also told me that I should be able to purchase my freedom eventually,” Cailin said bitterly. “Did I not say I should trust no one? But you swore to me that you could be trusted, my lord!”
“Dear girl,” Jovian protested, “we did not solicit your sale. He came to us after last night’s performance and said he wished to purchase you. He is truly the most powerful man in the empire, Cailin. There was no way my brother and I could refuse him and continue to prosper. To deny Aspar what he wanted would have been tantamount to suicide.” He patted her arm. “Do not be afraid, my dear. He will be kind to you. I do not think the general has ever kept a mistress. When he wished to have a woman other than his wife, he would come here, or to some other respectable house such as ours. You should feel honored.”
Cailin glared at him. “How will I ever get back to Britain to take my revenge on Antonia Porcius now?” she demanded furiously.
“A clever woman—and I do believe you are clever, Cailin—would see the great opportunity offered her. Aspar will lavish gifts upon you if you please him. He may even free you one day,” Jovian said.
“I have none of the skills of a courtesan,” Cailin told him. “Those lessons were to come later. All I am capable of doing is.…” She flushed angrily. “Well, you know what I can do, my lord Jovian, for you conceived the Hades I have been living in for the past weeks! Will not your powerful general believe he has been cheated when he finds out that the woman he bought last night is not at all skilled in the arts of erotica?”
“I do not think it is a trained courtesan he wants, Cailin,” Jovian told her. “He is a strange man, Aspar. For all his military skills he is a very kind person in a very cruel world. Make no mistake about him, however. He is a man used to being obeyed. He can be hard.”
At that moment Phocas came bustling into Cailin’s small chamber. “The messenger has arrived with the gold,” he said, attempting to restrain his glee. “I have counted it, and it is all there to the last solidus, brother dear. Have you told Cailin? Is she ready to leave us now?”
“I must wash my hands and face first,” Cailin answered for Jovian, “and then I am ready to leave, my lord Phocas.”
There was nothing else left to say. Isis brought a basin of water, and Cailin removed all traces of the melon from herself. Then bidding Isis farewell, she was escorted by the two brothers to the courtyard, where a litter was waiting. She wore a simple white chiton belted with a gold rope. The sleeves of the garment flowed gracefully to her mid-arms. Her feet were bare, for she had needed no sandals within Villa Maxima, and none had been given her.
Casia came out into the courtyard and said, “You cannot allow her to leave without these.” With a small smile she fastened amethyst, pearl, and gold dangles in Cailin’s ears. “Every woman deserves some jewelry. The gods go with you, my little friend. I do not think you realize how fortunate you truly are.”
“Thank you, Casia,” Cailin exclaimed. “I have never had lovelier earrings than these; and thank you for the rest.”
“Be yourself, and you will succeed admirably with him,” Casia promised.
“I will call on you soon,” Jovian told Cailin brightly, and helped her into the litter. “Take Casia’s advice. She knows.”
Cailin felt a momentary panic as the litter