Page 42 of Enslaved
He stared at her as if she had lost all reason. “In other words, you will onlypretendto be my slave?” He was dangerously close to violence.
“For all intents and purposes I will be your slave, your property. Every legionary, all of Aquae Sulis, and your entire household will know me for your slave, but when we are completely private, our relationship will not be that of master and slave. Our relationship will be that of a man and a woman … of lovers.”
Marcus could see no difference. It was a woman’s duty to obey the man, whether she be slave or concubine. The man’s will must always prevail, else he would not be a man! He noted that she had left out the part about gifting him with her virginity. Whether she was agreeing towillinglyjoin her body with his or not was still unclear, and when it came right down to the fine point, this was the crux of their bargain.
“Do you agree towillinglyyield your body to me?” he demanded.
“Only when you have wooed and won me. Not on demand,” she said softly.
“When will youallowme to begin this wooing, my fine lady?” he asked with heavy sarcasm.
She glanced across at him provocatively. “You and I both know your wooing has already begun. … I enjoy it excessively!”
A crack of thunder rent the heavens and the deluge began. There was a sudden commotion in the atrium and then Kell stood at the entrance to the triclinium. “Your brother, Petrius, General.” Kell stepped aside and the handsome young cohort centurion stood between the pillars, drenched to the skin.
Diana fled across to Marcus’ couch and sank to the floor at his knee.
“Is aught amiss, Petrius?” Marcus demanded.
“I am come to dine, brother. The storm took me unawares.”
Though he had not been invited and though his timing played havoc with Marcus’ plans, he extended his hospitality. “We are finished eating, but there is food in abundance. Bathe and change into dry clothes while your dinner is prepared.”
Petrius swayed on his feet, then advanced into the chamber. “I shall forgo the food and join you for the drinking.” He left a puddle of water with every step.
Marcus frowned. He could see the young devil had already been drinking.
“Don’t worry about the water, brother, you’ve plenty of slaves to clean it up.” He poured himself wine from a flagon, then filled up the two glasses that were half empty. “Drink with me, or is the great general of Aquae Sulis too high and mighty to share his wine with a lowly centurion?”
His tone was so belligerent, Marcus placed his hand on Diana’s shoulder to reassure her that he would control the situation.
“My wine is your wine, Petrius; my food and my villa at your disposal. Be seated, take your ease.”
Petrius reclined on the white and gold couch, soiling everything he touched. He held up his wine. “To Rome, glorious Rome.” He drained his glass, then waited for them to do the same. “You may like this country, but I think it the arsehole of the empire. Even the gods are pissing on it!” Petrius spied Kell on the threshold. “Slave—more wine!”
The eyes of Marcus and Kell met in quiet understanding as Kell brought another flagon of wine and refilled Petrius’ goblet. Once more he drained it, but this time his eyes roamed over the female who sat quietly beneath his brother’s hand. “Does your hospitality not provide me with a couch slave? Or will we share this one?”
Diana shrank back and Marcus stroked her silken hair. “This slave is my private and exclusive property, Petrius, tonight and every night. Your drunken behavior insults me and brings shame upon you. Tomorrow you will regret the wine you have consumed when you will be required to teach your men to swim the river wearing full gear.”
Diana turned to face Marcus, her eyes filled with admiration. She spoke softly. “May I come and watch you?” Her hand touched his knee in supplication.
She was everything he desired. She had played the slave girl to perfection the moment they were no longer alone. He searched her face; their glances touched and held. “You may come. The bargain is sealed,” he murmured.
Petrius staggered to his feet. “I’m not drunk!” He drew his pugio. “I’ll fight you for the girl.”
Marcus sighed heavily and got to his feet. “Go up to my chamber now,” he directed Diana. “Come on, old man, I think we’d better sweat you until you are sober. Can’t have your men see you in this condition.” He easily disarmed Petrius and threw a brotherly arm about him to keep him upright.
Kell came to the general’s aid. As they walked him toward the baths, Petrius passed out.
“By the gods, he has a skinful. What in Hades prompted this?”
Kell answered silently.Envy. Envy of you eats him alive.
“We have our work cut out for us,” Marcus said with calm resignation. First, he took him into the cold plunge to revive him. When Petrius regained consciousness, he fought like a young bull. Marcus had him under full control at all times. When he finally hauled him from the cold water, he helped Kell administer an emetic, then held his brother’s head up while he spewed out his guts.
The fight has gone out of him now,Kell thought with satisfaction.
Marcus took Petrius into a small room that was heated to a high temperature by steam. As sweat poured off Petrius, Marcus made him drink copious amounts of water so that he would not dehydrate. Marcus, too, had to drink so he would not lose body weight in the heat.
