Page 82 of Enslaved
Marcus told him of the plan to bring about a change that would benefit the entire nation of Britannia. He deeply appreciated the offer of his father’s wealth for the noble cause and assured Titus he would never use it for personal gain. When he took his leave, Marcus felt assured his father knew he did not covet his wealth, as his brother Petrius did.
When Marcus went up to Diana’s suite to take her down to dinner, he was delighted that she had chosen an elegant stola of jade green with a gold tissue palla and gold sandals with high cork soles. Her hair looked prettier than he had ever seen it, except when it was spread across his pillow. It had been fashioned in a cascade of curls that fell down her back and was threaded with green ribbon and seed pearls.
When they reached the triclinium, the white-haired Titus Magnus already reclined upon his dining couch, and Marcus was glad that he had not mentioned his father’s disability to Diana. She was so tenderhearted she would have treated the older man with an overabundance of kindness, when Marcus knew he much preferred to be treated as a man.
Marcus brought Diana forward with such pride that his father knew how deeply he felt about this woman. Titus liked her immediately. Not only was she beautiful enough to steal a man’s breath away, but there was a delicacy about her fair coloring that reminded him of an alabaster sculpture of a goddess. Was it Venus? No, it was Diana, her namesake. “A thousand welcomes, my dear. I hope my son will make you happy.”
“He has done that already, my lord.” The swift glance she cast Marcus told Titus how much she loved his son.
“Sit by me. A beautiful woman is better than any tonic for an old man.”
As Marcus watched them, it amused him that his father was actually flirting with Diana and it warmed his heart that she was kind enough to flirt back, just a trifle.
The food and the service were impeccable, as only upper house slaves were allowed to prepare and serve food in the villa of Magnus. When the meal drew to a close, Diana smiled at her future husband’s father. “You have a magnificent home. Thank you for making me feel so welcome.”
“Has Marcus given you the grand tour? Then go, go. Show her how she may dine in the pool without ever getting wet. Show her the birds and the fish. Show her everything.”
Marcus took her outside to the garden and bade her sit on a white marble couch in the pool. Jets of water gushed from beneath the couch as if forced out when she reclined against the pillows, but there was an underground outlet, so the pool filled but never overflowed, and the couch seemed to float.
“When you dine here, the heavier dishes are set by the ledge of the basin, but the lighter dishes in the shape of boats and swans float on the surface and turn round and round.”
Boxwood trees were cut into the shape of animals, and roses bloomed in great abundance. “Beyond the three outdoor bathing pools is a private suite of rooms with enchanting views over the gardens. The bedchamber is soundproof and excludes all light and noise. Adjoining it is a private dining room. Once we are married, we can spend time there.”
“I realize we will have to occupy separate suites until we are married. We must not be indiscreet in your father’s house.”
“He would lecture me severely if I did not treat you like a vestal virgin.”
They went back inside. “Please don’t ask me to show you the jeweled frescoes or the family temple or the library tonight. There is something else I want you to see.”
“Where are you taking me?” she asked innocently as they climbed the marble and ivory staircase.
“To see my chamber.”
Diana was much impressed with the grandeur of his suite. The walls were painted with a series of pictures showing the campaigns of Alexander. The massive bed was carved with rams’ horns, and a balcony looked over the garden and the ornamental fish ponds.
“It suits you. It is completely masculine. Perhaps I shouldn’t be here, Marcus.”
“Did my father not tell me to show you everything?”
“Yes, but—oh, what are you doing?” she cried in dismay as he began to strip off his clothes.
“I’m showing you everything,” he said with a wide grin.
“You are a devil, Marcus Magnus. You know we must sleep apart!”
He threw back his head and his laughter rolled about the chamber. “No power on earth could keep you from my bed tonight. All too soon I’ll be off with Julius on official business. He agreed to let me come home to see my father on condition that I would stay with him for a week or two while we entertain the senators, individually as well as en masse. His summons could arrive as early as tomorrow.”
She came to him shyly as he sat naked on the bed. “Do you honestly think you’ll get permission to marry?”
“Julius assures me it’s just a formality. If the wheels of officialdom grind too slowly, I’ll oil them with a bribe, never fear. I’m sorry to desert you, love, but there will likely only be enough time to make preparations for the wedding feast and have a wedding dress made. I have the most magnificent ring tucked away and my father will likely give you jewels for a marriage gift.”
She reached up to unwind the ribbons from her curls. “Are you bribing me to be complacent about the bacchanalia you will be attending?”
He opened his knees and drew her against him. “To say nothing of the orgies,” he teased. When he saw her innocent look of vulnerability, his face softened. “The only activities I plan to indulge in are visits to the games and the races at Circus Maximus, to which all Romans are addicted, I’m afraid.”
“Enjoy your city without feeling guilty, Marcus. You know I would hate those things.”
He slipped off her stola and tossed it to the floor. She stood before him adorned in only her sandals and her gold half-coin. When he unclasped the delicate chain and refastened it about her tiny waist, she shivered. Marcus’ eyes smoldered at the erotic picture she made. “Tonight we’ll do only those things you love with a passion,” he said huskily.
