Free Dark Omens by Rosemary Rowe Page B

message for him which may have changed his mind?’ I said, thinking aloud rather than expecting a response.
    Silvia, however, gave a sudden startled squeak. ‘But of course there was a message. I’d forgotten that.’ She dimpled at me. ‘The rider reached me at the villa shortly after Genialis left, and I told him where I thought my guardian had gone and he set off after him. Something about provision for a sacrifice, he said. I had supposed that the message was from Glevum, but on reflection …’
    I turned to Silvia. ‘You think it came from Dorn?’
    The lady coloured, rather prettily. ‘Otherwise, surely, the courier would have passed him on the road before he reached the villa? I didn’t think of that. Of course, I can’t be absolutely sure. I should have asked the messenger, I suppose, but I was more concerned to send him riding straight off in pursuit. He’d only missed Genialis by an hour or so. But now I think of it, he must have come from Dorn. Some kind of emergency, I suppose – something connected with the weather possibly. It’s the obvious explanation of why my guardian isn’t here. How clever of you, pavement-maker, to have worked it out.’ She turned to Lucius. ‘So it seems the doorkeeper was telling us the truth.’
    ‘I could have testified to that, in any case,’ I said, earning myself a grateful smile from the slave in question. ‘I have been here myself, laying the new pavements in the entrance hall, for days. Unless Genialis turned up yesterday, after I had gone – which seems unlikely, since he wasn’t at the feast today which he was so anxious to attend – he has not been back to Glevum since you saw him last. And there’s been no word from him. I suggest you send to Dorn – and while you are about it, ask at every public inn between.’
    Lucius nodded. ‘You are quite right, of course. I will despatch a messenger at once. Excuse me, Excellence – citizens – I will go and see to it.’ He bowed himself away.
    She flashed a smile at his retreating form. ‘How helpful Lucius is. He has been very good. He has even offered me accommodation overnight, since it is obvious that I can’t stay here alone: there is nothing civilized to eat and not even a female servant to be had – the slave market does not operate today. So lacking my guardian, and in the absence of a deciding court …’
    Marcus had put on his imperious face. ‘Madam, forgive me, but that would not be proper, in my view. You are an attractive lady –’ he looked appreciatively at her – ‘and you are a mourning widow, after all. You cannot with propriety accompany a man who – by what you told me when I first arrived – is not in possession of a wife or even of any female relatives. Besides – forgive me – Lucius may be a freeman, and a wealthy one, but he is not a citizen. Genialis is still your official guardian and he would be affronted by the mere suggestion if he knew.’
    ‘What suggestion, Excellence?’ Lucius, having obviously despatched his slave, was reappearing just in time to hear the words.
    Marcus had risen to his feet. He could look imposing when he tried. ‘The suggestion that you should accommodate the lady Silvia at your house. Much more appropriate that she should come with me. I have a large apartment in the town and there are servants there – including female ones – who can attend her overnight. Tomorrow or the next day we may have word from Dorn, and then we can establish how we should proceed. In the meantime – in my role as magistrate – I am assuming temporary potestas.’ He paused and looked at Silvia – obviously waiting for her to express her gratitude.
    After the briefest of hesitations she provided it. ‘Excellence, your kindness is more than I could have looked for.’ She held out a jewelled hand to Lucius. ‘And your kindness, naturally, as well. Two offers of protection in a single day – and such protection too! I’m a lucky woman. But His Excellence