Read Online Danger in the Wind by Jane Finnis - Free Book Online Page A

a useful idea. “Margarita, can I borrow Baca for a few hours this afternoon? I’ve some sewing that needs doing.”
    “Yes, of course. I’ll send her to you when she’s finished here.”
    Baca smiled. She was one of the best of the servants when it came to sewing, and I’d realised that at least one of my tunics and my travelling cloak were in need of repair before I set off for Jovina’s. Also I must decide what I would be wearing for her party. I’d lost some weight over the past few months, and my best clothes would need taking in a little.
    Margarita and I moved into the barroom, and I told her about my holiday. As I’d expected, she was delighted, and began asking me all about Cousin Jovina. But she was soon distracted, because the bar was filling up as customers started to arrive for their midday beaker of beer or bite of food.
    I left her to it and went to my study to write yet another note. This was to my friend Clarilla, the sister of our local chief town councillor. They lived in Oak Bridges, only a mile or so away, and I wanted to tell her about my holiday, and also ask for her help in case I ran into problems getting round Lucius’ prohibition of it. I sent one of the horse-boys over to her villa with a note asking if she’d be free later for me to drop in and tell her some good news.
    By the time I’d had something to eat and set Baca to work reviving my clothes, the boy was back with Clarilla’s answer: she was agog to hear my news and would be delighted to see me any time this afternoon.
    I asked Secundus to get a small two-wheeled gig ready. I would drive myself, and take one of the horse-boys along as a mounted escort. It was a long time since I’d felt like driving anywhere, and my spirits lifted as I took the reins and set off for Oak Bridges.

Chapter VI
    I found Clarilla outside in her garden, lounging on a cushioned reading-couch with a scroll on her lap. As it was still rolled up, I gathered she’d been doing more drowsing than reading, but she jumped up when she saw me.
    “Welcome, Aurelia. It’s lovely to see you.” She turned to the maid who’d brought me to her. “Let the master know that Aurelia’s here, and fetch the wine, please. Now, sit down and tell me how you are. Indeed I can see how you are—you look better than you’ve done for months, like your old self again.”
    We sat down side by side on the couch. “Yes, I’m feeling really well. It’s like coming out of a dark cave into bright sunshine.”
    “That’s wonderful. Though I’m a little disappointed you’ve come all alone. I was hoping you might bring your brother and this gorgeous new fiancée of his.”
    “You’ve heard about her, have you?”
    “My dear, who hasn’t? Everyone’s talking about her…young and beautiful, and from a very good family too. In fact I thought that might be the good news you’d come to tell me. You must be delighted.”
    “Yes, I suppose I must. She’s a mixture of the Goddess Aphrodite and Queen Cleopatra.”
    “Oh, dear. Don’t you like her?”
    “It’s not that I don’t like her exactly, but she’s very immature, and just not the kind of girl I’d hoped he would marry.”
    “I’m sure as you get to know her better, you’ll understand what he sees in her.” She smiled. “Who knows, you might even come around to the idea of marriage yourself one of these days. You and Quintus Antonius, perhaps?”
    I laughed. “I know you love matchmaking, Clarilla, but Quintus and I are very happy the way things are, so don’t hold your breath. And no, it isn’t Lucius and Vitellia I’ve come to tell you about. I’ve some happy news of my own. I’m going on a little holiday. First to stay with Albia at Eburacum, then to a cousin’s birthday party at Isurium.”
    “How exciting. No wonder you’re looking so full of life.”
    “My cousin’s invitation only arrived this morning, and the party is at midsummer, so it’s all a bit of a rush. I wondered if I might ask