Free Hannibal: Fields of Blood by Ben Kane

thanks. Until the morning, then.’ Gaius bid them both good night.
    Aurelia rose. ‘I’m not a child, Mother,’ she whispered the instant he was at the door. ‘I don’t need to be told when to go to bed.’
    Atia turned on her in a fury. ‘When you are mistress of Flaccus’ household, you can do as you please. While you’re under this roof, however, you’ll do exactly as I say!’
    Gaius checked at Atia’s raised voice. He half turned, but then thought better of it, and left the room. Aurelia’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and shame that he had heard her mother’s words. She sensed her mother get up, felt a hand close on her arm.
    ‘Do you understand me?’ Atia demanded.
    ‘Yes, Mother,’ she muttered from between clenched teeth.
    ‘I want no more casting soulful eyes at Gaius either. He’s a good man, and will make someone a fine husband, but you are betrothed to another. There must be no suggestion of impropriety. Caius Minucius Flaccus would not approve.’ And the alliance with his family cannot be jeopardised. It will be vital in the restoration of our fortunes.
    ‘I don’t care about him,’ spat Aurelia, forgetting that she had found Flaccus quite attractive. ‘Or you! I want to marry whom I choose, like you and Father did.’
    Slap! Atia’s hand connected with her left cheek.
    Complete shock filled Aurelia. Tears of humiliation welled in her eyes. It had been years since her mother had struck her.
    ‘You forget yourself!’ Atia hissed. ‘What your father and I did is none of your concern. None! You will marry whomever we decide upon, whenever we tell you to. Do I make myself clear?’
    ‘It’s not fair! You and Father are hypocrites.’
    Slap! ‘Keep this insolence up, and I will have a whip brought to me.’
    Aurelia’s guts knotted with fear. Her mother’s threat was real. She bit her lip and stared at the floor.
    ‘Look at me!’
    Aurelia raised her unwilling eyes to Atia’s.
    ‘So you will do as I say?’
    ‘Yes, Mother,’ Aurelia said, hating herself for being weak.
    ‘Good. On that we are agreed at least.’ Atia waved a hand in dismissal. ‘Go to bed. I will see you in the morning.’
    Aurelia left the room, ignoring the curious stares of the less discreet slaves. Damn Mother to Hades, she thought. It was no more than ten steps to her bedchamber, but in the only act of defiance left to her, she made them last an age. She flung a murderous glance back at the dining room. I hate her. I hate her. Her mother had read far too much into the situation, she thought angrily. She had been enjoying Gaius’ company, that was all. Deep in her heart, though, Aurelia knew that Atia’s instinct had been correct. A stab of remorse. How could she find a man attractive when she was promised to another? Instinctively she knew why. I have met Flaccus once, whereas I’ve known Gaius for many years. Gaius is young, not old. Kind, not arrogant. It’s not a crime to have feelings for someone. An unexpected image of Hanno popped into Aurelia’s mind, filling her with even more guilt. She blanked him out at once. They had never even shared a kiss. He had left, his aim to join Hannibal’s army, and she would never see him again. For all she knew, he was dead.
    ‘Into your room!’ Atia had come out to check on her.
    Aurelia’s resentment towards her mother resurged with a vengeance, but she kept quiet as she opened her door and slipped inside. A plan was hatching in her mind. Everyone in the house would go to bed soon. If she waited, she could creep to Gaius’ chamber and let herself in. Intense satisfaction swept through her. How angry her mother would be if she ever found out! Not that she would. I’ll be quieter than a mouse, she thought with glee. And then I can be alone with Gaius.
    Perhaps an hour later, all sounds outside her door had ceased. There had been soft talking among the slaves who were clearing up the remains of their dinner. Plates clattering off one another. From the