Page 66 of Enslaved
“No, Kell, the problem isn’t with you, it’s with Diana.”
“I see.” And Kell did see, clearly. Feast was a euphemism for the Bacchanalia the general threw, which had become a tradition. The centurions and the cohort centurions who had successfully made it back, and the ones who were about to take their place, joined Seutonius Paullinus in what could only be described as an orgy. They feasted until they disgorged, drank until they spewed, and fucked until they were delirious. “She should be safe enough from the men’s lechery, locked in your chamber. For extra measure you could post guards at the door.”
“It’s not her safety that worries me. I shall always be able to protect her.” Marcus paced across the tigress, then walked around her through the long grass.
Kell hid a smile. The general was skirting the tigress as if it were Diana. The analogy was most apt, for Diana would behave like a tigress if she got wind of the debauchery that occasionally took place in this villa. She didn’t even condone public nudity, so he could only imagine her shock at the multiple copulations, carnality, and perversions practiced by Julia Allegra and her prostitutes when they got together with the Roman legionaries.
Kell was surprised that Marcus Magnus worried about what a female slave thought of him. Was he no longer master in his own house? Had the general handed her his balls along with his heart? “Could you hold the feast at the fort?” he asked tentatively.
“No. I’m not supplying two thousand men with prostitutes. It would destroy discipline forever.”
Kell knew it was useless to suggest that he not throw the usual feast. That swine Paullinus had come to expect it, and if he thought the general was withdrawing his hospitality, he would take it as a personal insult.
Marcus spoke again. “Perhaps you could remove the lady from the villa that night, but where you would send her and on what pretext, I have no idea.”
Kell drained his goblet to give him courage for what he was about to say. “General, it seems to me that you worry unnecessarily. Not because she is your slave, but because she is your woman, she should know her place. A woman will take advantage of a man anytime he is foolish enough to allow her to do so. In my own case, Nola takes advantage of me every day, simply because she knows I have a soft spot for her.”
Marcus was well aware of the currents between Kell and Nola. “What you say is true. If a man does not lead, he is led. If he does not rule, he is ruled. If the man is not the master, the woman will hold him in contempt. The feast I am obliged to give has nothing whatsoever to do with Diana. It is none of her business and she must not concern herself with it.” Marcus finished his wine. “Thank you, Kell.”
“The decision was yours, General. However, I believe it to be a wise one.”
As Kell watched him climb the staircase, he wondered what had prompted him to take the Roman’s side against a Briton. Then he realized there was more at stake here than nationalities. It was a far older struggle—man against woman. How could he not take the male side?
As Marcus slipped into bed, he decided he must take a firmer hand with Diana. Perhaps he should have given her a sound thrashing tonight when she rejected him and flung their differences in his face. He was far too indulgent with the little vixen. He had dried her tears and fed her, then tucked her into bed, keeping his lust in check in case she sulked. Now he decided he must make up for that mistake. If she showed even the faintest reluctance, he would slap her beautiful little arse until her teeth rattled!
He reached out with ungentle hands and pulled her to him. His mouth crushed hers in a savage kiss. If he didn’t force her to yield to him, now, this minute, he would lose the whip hand.
Diana melted against him. Lying between his marble-hard thighs, she became all soft, all womanly compliance. Her luscious breasts lay upon his chest, her soft belly caressed his rampant sex, and her scented mouth opened to his with an invitation that was irresistible.
He plundered her mouth with his thrusting tongue, and when he withdrew, she held her lips to his and whispered, “Marc … Marc … Marcus.”
When she whispered, it did the most glorious things to him. She traced the scar on his face. Her faintest touch brought full-blown passion to him. Then unbelievably she rose up upon him, grasped his shaft firmly in her hand, and plunged down voluptuously. She felt like hot silk. Marcus was drowning in need. She began to ride him slowly, seductively, lifting high, then plunging hard until he was anchored deep. Then she increased the tempo, making him buck powerfully.
Their union became a wild, driving tempest, primal and shocking in its intensity. Heat leaped between them as they made love sounds in raw whispers. They shattered together and Marcus held her imprisoned upon him long after the last liquid tremors stilled. He held her there until he became half aroused again and decided to stay inside her all night.
Marcus felt all-powerful after he had mastered her in the ultimate act of domination and submission, but as Diana lay upon him in silken splendor, it felt like she was purring. He smiled into the darkness, wondering wryly which of them was enslaved.
Chapter 20
Marcus told Kell to order the food and wine for the feast and paid a visit to Julia Allegra to arrange the entertainment. He did not broach the matter with Diana until the day arrived, then before he left for the fortress, he sat on the edge of the bed and cleared his throat.
Diana loved to see him in his polished breastplate. Whenever he touched her while wearing his armor, it made her go weak all over.
“Paullinus leaves with the legionaries tomorrow. It has become a custom for the governor and his officers to dine here before they depart.”
Diana looked alarmed. “You mean he’ll be here at the villa tonight? Oh Marcus, can I not go somewhere else?”
Marcus’ spirits lifted. She was not going to prove difficult at all. “Perhaps that would be best. Paullinus detests Britons and so I like to keep even Kell away from him. Why don’t you and Kell go to the theatre tonight? When you return, you must come straight up here and bar the door. You saw what my brother was like when he’d been drinking and I’m afraid when the men get together, they carouse until they are legless.”
“The theatre is a lovely idea. Paullinus disgusts me.” She shuddered delicately, remembering the hirsute giant who resembled a great mangy bear.
Marcus kissed her goodbye. “I won’t see you today; you’ll be asleep by the time I come up, but once the legionaries leave tomorrow, I’ll have more time to spend with you. I’ll take you on that boar hunt.” He stood and fastened on his leather weapons belt. “Enjoy the theatre.”
“Enjoy your feast,” she replied innocently, which only made him feel wretched about deceiving her.
Wearing her ultramarine stola and matching palla, Diana received more attention at the theatre than the performers. Her blond tresses attracted the eye of both men and women. Whispers ofWho is she?were answered by those with the privileged information that General Magnus had taken a concubine. The men were instantly envious of the general, while the women would have paid any price to take Diana’s place.
She was amused that Kell kept one hand upon his flagellum as a warning to the masses to keep their distance. She and Kell had chosen a musical entertainment that turned out to be like an extravagant ballet. Diana enjoyed herself immensely watching the singers and dancers in their elaborate costumes and masks. It got a little raucous when a troupe of female acrobats tumbled across the stage, for they wore little more than wide black leather bands—one to cover their breasts, the other their groins.
