understand how to speak to both servants and masters, how to practise courtesy and economy, and to display the good manners that oil the wheels of society. From tomorrow, you will attend me in the atrium each afternoon after the noontime meal.’
She smiled inwardly as she glimpsed the frown of chagrin that the lad attempted to hide by dropping his head. From Artorex’s point of view, hard work was preferable to such pointless activities.
‘Don’t fear that I’ll keep you from your duties to the villa. An hour a day should be more than sufficient to correct any deficiencies in your deportment or manners. My woman, Delia, will oversee the more . . . physical . . . aspects of your education.’
Artorex was truly horrified. The words ‘physical aspects’ had an embarrassing, terrifying ring and the lad turned to face Livinia’s maidservant with trepidation.
Delia was well past thirty years of age and seemed very old to Artorex, although her skin was still fresh and her hair was rich with an auburn sheen. She had served as Lady Livinia’s servant from childhood and was devoted to the interests of her mistress, so Artorex had known her for years, at least from a distance. As Delia stepped forward into the light of the setting sun, Artorex had an opportunity to gauge the kindness in her mild, brown eyes.
Delia had borne five living children and her body was plump and strong. Her hands were her great beauty, although they were calloused from sewing, washing and the women’s work of the villa. Her fingers were long, with sensitive pads and almond-shaped, pale nails, while her palms were unusually large and well fleshed. Those hands were clasped together firmly as she smiled at the thunder-struck young man.
So, in the noontime, Artorex learned how to dance, to turn a courtly sentence and to take a lady’s arm. He mastered courtesy and deportment, and found nothing shameful in conversation with an interesting and intelligent woman. Lady Livinia’s lessons would last the boy for the rest of his life and serve him well as he grew to manhood.
More importantly, Lady Livinia taught Artorex the woman’s point of view, filtered through the Roman matron’s idea of female duty. Without conscious effort, Artorex absorbed Livinia’s values, her style, her respect for family and her uncompromising ability to face painful truths. A single caress upon his hair, as light as thistledown, was cherished as he luxuriated in her regard.
After an afternoon’s toil, Artorex would report to Delia at the servants’ quarters. There, over a period of two weeks, the cheerful and motherly woman taught Artorex the pleasures of the bed. Her warmth, her good humour and her earthy common sense revealed many of the mysteries of women to the round-eyed boy, and for the first time he grew to appreciate the strength and pragmatism of the other sex. Wisely, Lady Livinia contrived to end these special lessons before Artorex teetered on the brink of lovesickness, for this clever matron understood that teacher and pupil might begin to care for each other if their arrangement continued overlong.
Artorex continued with Lady Livinia’s lessons and discovered that he enjoyed his new friendship with Delia. Although any sexual liaison was over, he discussed the relationship with Frith who explained that Delia loved Lady Livinia, not him, and had taken him to her bed for her mistress’s sake. Artorex should be grateful to these two women of such different stations, and free himself from any residual sentimentality.
Artorex examined Frith’s amused blue eyes closely and saw no sign of mockery or falsehood in their clear depths. As he kissed Frith’s withered cheek, Artorex realized that women like Frith, Delia and Livinia, who seemed so delicate and easily shocked, were actually stronger than iron and far more ruthless than a man could ever be.
‘The mistress is a marvel,’ Targo informed the young man after Delia had completed his education. ‘She
She smiled inwardly as she glimpsed the frown of chagrin that the lad attempted to hide by dropping his head. From Artorex’s point of view, hard work was preferable to such pointless activities.
‘Don’t fear that I’ll keep you from your duties to the villa. An hour a day should be more than sufficient to correct any deficiencies in your deportment or manners. My woman, Delia, will oversee the more . . . physical . . . aspects of your education.’
Artorex was truly horrified. The words ‘physical aspects’ had an embarrassing, terrifying ring and the lad turned to face Livinia’s maidservant with trepidation.
Delia was well past thirty years of age and seemed very old to Artorex, although her skin was still fresh and her hair was rich with an auburn sheen. She had served as Lady Livinia’s servant from childhood and was devoted to the interests of her mistress, so Artorex had known her for years, at least from a distance. As Delia stepped forward into the light of the setting sun, Artorex had an opportunity to gauge the kindness in her mild, brown eyes.
Delia had borne five living children and her body was plump and strong. Her hands were her great beauty, although they were calloused from sewing, washing and the women’s work of the villa. Her fingers were long, with sensitive pads and almond-shaped, pale nails, while her palms were unusually large and well fleshed. Those hands were clasped together firmly as she smiled at the thunder-struck young man.
So, in the noontime, Artorex learned how to dance, to turn a courtly sentence and to take a lady’s arm. He mastered courtesy and deportment, and found nothing shameful in conversation with an interesting and intelligent woman. Lady Livinia’s lessons would last the boy for the rest of his life and serve him well as he grew to manhood.
More importantly, Lady Livinia taught Artorex the woman’s point of view, filtered through the Roman matron’s idea of female duty. Without conscious effort, Artorex absorbed Livinia’s values, her style, her respect for family and her uncompromising ability to face painful truths. A single caress upon his hair, as light as thistledown, was cherished as he luxuriated in her regard.
After an afternoon’s toil, Artorex would report to Delia at the servants’ quarters. There, over a period of two weeks, the cheerful and motherly woman taught Artorex the pleasures of the bed. Her warmth, her good humour and her earthy common sense revealed many of the mysteries of women to the round-eyed boy, and for the first time he grew to appreciate the strength and pragmatism of the other sex. Wisely, Lady Livinia contrived to end these special lessons before Artorex teetered on the brink of lovesickness, for this clever matron understood that teacher and pupil might begin to care for each other if their arrangement continued overlong.
Artorex continued with Lady Livinia’s lessons and discovered that he enjoyed his new friendship with Delia. Although any sexual liaison was over, he discussed the relationship with Frith who explained that Delia loved Lady Livinia, not him, and had taken him to her bed for her mistress’s sake. Artorex should be grateful to these two women of such different stations, and free himself from any residual sentimentality.
Artorex examined Frith’s amused blue eyes closely and saw no sign of mockery or falsehood in their clear depths. As he kissed Frith’s withered cheek, Artorex realized that women like Frith, Delia and Livinia, who seemed so delicate and easily shocked, were actually stronger than iron and far more ruthless than a man could ever be.
‘The mistress is a marvel,’ Targo informed the young man after Delia had completed his education. ‘She
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