Free Hadrian's wall by William Dietrich

dawn and went to help Valeria bathe and dress her hair. What I found gave me yet another start."
    "In Valeria's chamber?"
    "Outside it. That scarred old soldier had displaced her bodyguard Cassius and was sleeping across the entry to her room, wrapped in his cloak on hard marble."
    "Galba? I thought you said he went with his men."
    "For supper, but then he came back. Unknown to us, he stayed to supplant Valeria's bodyguard. Galba said that Valeria's safety had been entrusted to him by his commander, Marcus Flavius, and that he had no faith in gladiators."
    "Cassius tolerated this insult?"
    "He was used to it. Soldiers have no respect for arena fighters-out of envy for their skill, I think. The slave retreated to an alcove, and Galba spent the night on the floor. An odd posting for a senior tribune, I thought."
    "Yet Valeria didn't know he was there?"
    "Not until I told her."
    "She was displeased?"
    "Flattered. In many ways she was still a child."
    "Where was Clodius?"
    "In a nearby apartment. Galba greeted him that morning by asking if his bed had been soft enough. There was male rivalry between those two, instant and instinctive. Clodius replied he could sleep on ground as hard as the senior tribune's, Galba said they might test that boast, and Clodius retorted he'd match him rock for rock, while reminding him it was their duty to keep Valeria comfortable. Galba said he needed no reminders from a soldier who barely needed to shave, and Clodius parried that Roman youth indeed defers to age." She shakes her head. "It was not a wise way to begin."
    "And what was your opinion of this Galba?"
    "That he'd assumed a familiarity with us he'd yet to earn."
    I nod, knowing that slaves are jealous of familiarities. I ponder the tribune's action. Was he trying to win an alliance with the new bride? Supplant young Clodius? Mock the Romans? Protect from real danger? "Not the easiest of nights."
    "I distracted Valeria with talk of other things. We dressed her hair, brought out paints to make up her face, and tried our first Briton porridge, which the kitchen slaves said was defense against the damp. Then we discussed the hopes and fears any woman has. Until we landed in Britannia the wedding was like a distant promise. Now it was near. Who could know what Marcus would truly be like? The girl was a virgin. And more women die in childbirth than men by the sword. Marriage is the female campaign."
    "So you reassured her?"
    "I instructed her."
    "You've never been married yourself."
    "No, but I've known more men than a wife ever will, willingly and unwillingly, from stubble to crotch and from love to lie. They're frightening at first glance and amusing ever afterward. As a proper lady she would lie with her husband only in the dark, without lamps, and never out of doors. But I've seen men in all places and all positions, as handsome as stags and ridiculous as dogs."
    It is a crude kind of flirting I suppose, and powerless on a man of my sophistication. Still, I shift restlessly. "She was open to such instruction?" I'm fascinated by this glimpse of female confidences.
    "I talked to her of the usefulness of fingers and of oil. Olive to help smooth things, vinegar to postpone children. Valeria listened avidly. I also stressed the importance of public appearance, regardless of what happens in private."
    Of course. Romans will forgive any private transgression if a matron behaves with decorum and grace and obedience. Dignity for a Roman comes from the opinion of other people. The noblest goal is honor. "You stressed propriety."
    "Never a public kiss. Never a public embrace."
    "And she agreed?"
    "Did she ever agree with anything? She said she wanted a partner, not a master. I reminded what the philosopher said: 'Other men rule their wives. We Romans rule other men. And our wives rule us.' But always there must be rectitude. A man too obviously in love with his wife is a weakling."
    This is true, of course. The legions deserted Anthony in part for his