‘How long will your wife remain in exile, and what will you do?’
Pompeianus shrugged. ‘She will not be in exile for long. The gesture was a magnanimous one for the look of the thing. She and her co-conspirators will be dead soon enough, I’m sure. It will be quiet and private and entirely escape the notice of the public. And then I will be freed of any entanglements. Perhaps the emperor has plans.’
‘Perhaps he will keep you here as an advisor?’
‘No. Not after this. I may have to disappear from Rome entirely for a while. My name is too closely linked with the plot, and many will seek my fall.’ He smiled. ‘Fear not though, young Rufinus. I have many country villas of my own, a son whom I can train and guide, and more pieces yet on the great board. My game is far from over; indeed it may only just be beginning.’
The door opened and a slave bustled across the room, refilling the wine jug. Rufinus paid little attention, pondering the sad truth of his host’s words.
‘Besides,’ Pompeianus went on, ‘I live in hope that my young friend, the guardsman Rufinus, will visit me regularly to keep me informed and entertained. I have wide swathes of land on which you can exercise that dog of yours. And perhaps other pursuits?’ Pompeianus laughed.
He grinned and winked, gesturing toward the wine jug that had just been refilled. Rufinus turned with a frown, just in time to see a very familiar face closing the door next to it.
‘Senova? But how?’
Pompeianus took another swig of wine and grinned again. ‘My brother-in-law sent only the dourest, least helpful and pleasant slaves with my wife. She is, I fear, in for a poor life in the short time she has left. While I, it appears, have inherited the best of her estate.’
For the first time that day, Rufinus smiled with genuine pleasure. ‘Then it really does appear that things have worked out well.’
Pompeianus narrowed his eyes and shook his head with a sly smile. ‘Do not relax yourself, my friend. The game has been complicated and tough, and you won it with courage and style, but you know as well as I that it doesn’t end there. There are always more games to be played; always more opponents to face.’
Rufinus sighed and leaned back.
There would be other games and other opponents.
But not today.
He drained the wine glass and reached to refill it. Maybe he’d just risk insensibility after all.