‘Wait! Before you go, last night in the cell a big man came down the stairs and you screamed. Why?’
She blanched at the memory and took a deep breath. ‘He was to torture me. He took great pleasure in showing me the instruments that he would be using. He terrified me, mainly because he seemed to be looking forward to it so much.’
‘Who is he?’ Vespasian asked, putting his arms around her protectively.
‘He’s Sejanus’ freedman. His name is Hasdro.’
She kissed him once more and ran out of the room. Vespasian put a hand to his face, closed his eyes and, savouring her aroma on his fingers, contemplated four years without seeing, touching, smelling or tasting her.
Eventually he climbed out of bed and washed his face in a bowl of cold water that had been placed on the chest the night before. There was a knock at the door and in walked Caligula, smiling as he always seemed to do.
‘What a night, eh? Such fun; and I believe you rounded it off with a very grateful girl.’
‘What? How did you know that?’ Vespasian demanded, shocked.
‘I like it when they’re grateful, don’t you?’ Caligula carried on, ignoring the question. ‘That’s why I often have an ugly one. They are so grateful that they do anything you want, with anything you want, very enthusiastically.’
‘I asked you a question,’ Vespasian insisted.
‘Oh, yes. I was on my way back from asking Pallas to fetch me this very buxom kitchen slave that I’ve been meaning to try for some time – she was very grateful too by the way – when I saw the delightful Caenis knock on your door and go in.’
Vespasian reddened and tried to hide it by drying his face with a cloth.
‘Oh, come now.’ Caligula grinned at him. ‘There’s no need to be embarrassed; as I said, we all have our needs and I believe that it would be a crime against the gods to ignore them; they gave them to us after all. Just imagine how dull life would be if we spent all our time suppressing our desires. You’re a lucky chap, you know, my grandmother has banned me from even thinking about having Caenis and she’s threatened all sorts of nasty reprisals if I try. Did you know that she’s even given Caenis permission to hit me – me! Can you imagine it?’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Vespasian was relieved to learn that Antonia had taken steps to protect her favoured slave from the seemingly insatiable sexual appetite of his new young friend.
‘Shall we go and find some breakfast? I’m ravenous, as you must be too.’
‘Yes, gratitude does help you work up an appetite,’ Vespasian observed, tying on his loincloth. He pulled his tunic over his head, fastened his belt and, slipping into his slippers, followed Caligula out of the room.
They found Sabinus already eating in the triclinium. They joined him for a leisurely breakfast of freshly baked bread, cheese and olives washed down with sweet watered wine, whilst discussing the previous night’s events – which included Caligula filling Sabinus in on who he saw entering his brother’s room.
‘Well, well, little brother, so you’ve finally given up mules and moved on to slaves; well done. One day soon you may even get your cock into something that has a choice in the matter.’
Vespasian knew that it was pointless rising to his brother so contented himself by throwing a hunk of bread at him.
Antonia joined them halfway through the second hour of the day. ‘Good morning, gentlemen, I hope that you all slept well.’
Vespasian couldn’t help feeling that there was a hint of irony aimed at him in the remark. Antonia sat and a waiting slave poured her a cup of watered wine. She looked at the two brothers. ‘It’s as I feared: Sejanus has posted a group of Praetorians a little way up the hill watching the front of the house and another group down the side alley watching the stable-yard gate. So we shall have to be careful.’ She gestured to the slave without looking at him. ‘Fetch Pallas.’
The slave bowed and left the room.
‘Is there any news from Asinius, domina?’ Vespasian asked.
‘I sent him a message this morning and he’s promised to come here as soon as he has dealt with his clients for the day; let us hope that he brings some good news with him.’
Pallas entered the room.
‘Pallas, I want you to have two covered litters prepared in the stable yard. Do not have them sent around the front until Sabinus and Vespasian have been hidden in them.’
‘Yes mistress.’ The steward bowed and hurried off to give the necessary orders.
Antonia turned back to Sabinus and Vespasian. ‘Once you are each in a litter they’ll come out of the stable yard and round to the front of the house where Gaius and I will get in quickly, then we’ll head down the hill before our watching friends have time to react.’
‘That’s very neat, Grandmother,’ Caligula said, warming to the idea of another escapade. ‘But how do we get them out of the litters? We can’t just take them home; we’re bound to be followed.’
‘We’ll go to the Forum. It’s a market day; lots of people will have come into the city so it will be very crowded by midmorning; they should be able to slip out there undetected.’
‘Thank you, domina,’ Sabinus said.
‘It is I who should thank you,’ Antonia replied. ‘What you all did last night not only saved Caenis’ life but also bought us more time to construct a case against Sejanus strong enough to convince the Emperor.’
Pallas walked back in. ‘Titus Flavius Sabinus and his wife Vespasia Polla are here requesting an interview with you, mistress; they want to know the whereabouts of their sons.’
‘Bugger it!’ Sabinus exclaimed. ‘Why couldn’t they just wait patiently at home?’
‘I don’t think that we can blame our father for this,’ Vespasian said, looking worried. ‘But I’m afraid that they’ve unknowingly made a big mistake coming here; the Praetorians would have seen them and if they follow them home then Sejanus will be one step closer to us.’
‘I’m afraid that you may be right,’ Antonia said, getting up. ‘But they are here and I should see them. Come with me, all of you.’
She led them out into the atrium where an anxious Vespasia and a very embarrassed Titus were waiting.
‘Domina!’ Vespasia exclaimed, coming forward with her hands outstretched in supplication. ‘Thank you for consenting to receive us. Where are our…? Oh!’ Vespasia caught sight of Sabinus and Vespasian.
‘Mother, you shouldn’t have come,’ Sabinus said firmly. ‘Why didn’t you stop her, Father?’
‘She was threatening to come on her own, unchaperoned. I could not let myself be disgraced like that, so it was the lesser of two evils.’
Antonia looked sternly at Vespasia. ‘You have done a very foolish thing in coming here. In future you should follow the example of Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi, and wait at home and spin wool whilst your sons serve Rome.’
‘I – I am sorry, domina,’ Vespasia said. She bowed her head in acknowledgement of Antonia’s vastly superior social standing. ‘We shall return immediately.’
‘I’m afraid it’s too late for that, you must both stay here for the time being; Pallas, show them to the formal reception room, we’ll join them there presently.’
‘With pleasure. Mistress, master, please follow me.’
Titus and Vespasia were led away. Antonia turned to Caligula. ‘Get ready to go out. We shall leave as soon as we have spoken with Asinius.’
‘Yes, Grandmother.’
‘Sabinus, go and keep your parents company; Vespasian, you might want to check that you’ve left nothing in your room.’
‘But I didn’t bring anything… Oh, I see. Thank you, domina.’
‘Don’t be too long.’
‘No, domina.’
Vespasian hurried to his room with a knot in his stomach; his excitement at being able to see Caenis to say goodbye was tempered by the knowledge that it would, in all probability, be a very long separation.
He opened the door; Caenis sprang up from the bed and embraced him. He held her tightly, relishing the sweet smell of her skin and hair.