Jason had seen her before. He did not know her name, since Titus never referred to her or spoke loudly when she entered, but he knew who she was. She was the one maid in this house that Titus would never share; she was his, and his alone. He knew that much, from previous visits where they had exchanged a kiss in addition to the whispers.
He was suddenly glad to be going home to the land he had grown up in, where his family was the one with the influence, where these friends of his would have nothing that he himself either did not have or could not get with greater ease than they. It was not that he wanted them to be without, or even that he wanted to be better; he was just ready not to be in the deficit.
*
It was at least two hours later when Jason decided he had taken his fill of the refreshments and company and sought fresh air in their stead. His retreat led him to the gardens in the rear of the house, probably his favorite place on the estate. The more frequently he was entertained by the Asiniuses, the more appreciation he had for their remarkable grounds.
There was a cool breeze blowing, but the temperature was still warm enough that he was not chilled, simply freshened. He chose not to go to one of the benches, opting instead to walk the maze of paths. The stars were lustrous tonight, dazzling, in fact, in their clarity. There was Venus, now the Evening Star, and there was Saturn, retrograding, as he had learned in his studies.
And there was a noise disturbing his solitude.
“Jason!” It was Caius, so the younger man opted not to be perturbed by the interruption.
“Lord! You are returned earlier than we expected.”
The ex-consul moved in closer. “I wanted to catch you before you left. I have an offer for you.”
Both curiosity and eyebrows raised, Jason leaned on the stone wall beside him. “Of what nature?”
Caius, too, leaned on the wall. “We both know that the solder’s life is not an easy one, Jason. Even if not involved in an active campaign, one still faces dangers.”
“I am aware of its risks, sir.” What he did not know was his host’s point.
“Titus is my only son, and he is my heir. I did not act fast enough to keep him here, but I have every intention of getting him ordered home as quickly as possible; but it could take a while.”
He was beginning to catch on. “Lord, your son is an able soldier. He is in little danger.”
“In battle, perhaps,” the man conceded. “But Titus has a strange disposition that I have never understood. His temper can be unriled when he is greatly insulted but then flares up with no provocation.” Caius paused to take a breath. “To be honest, I do not trust him to stay out of trouble in a foreign land. Which brings me to my proposition. You are a man of sound and dependable manner, Jason. And, since solders’ pay is nothing to brag about, I would like to satisfy both of our needs. I am prepared to offer you a comfortable monthly stipend in exchange for your keeping an eye on my son.”
Jason was tempted to laugh but settled for a smile. “Lord, as Titus is my friend and your family has welcomed me so warmly, I will do all I can to safeguard him. But there is no need for payment. Especially since there is no guarantee we will be near each other in our assignments or that he will even find himself in a position to need my aid.”
Caius waved off his objections. “If I wish to waste my money on a deserving friend, then I will. And so long as you simply speak with him on occasion and keep abreast of his social life, which is my main concern, I will be content.” With that, Caius put a fatherly hand on Jason’s shoulder. “One of my men is a merchant in Jerusalem. I have already sent him instruction. He visits your father’s camp monthly. At that time, just relay any information that you think I need to know. But even if there is none, which I honestly hope will be the case, he will dispense your stipend.”
“Really, Lord, I have no need of–”
“Then save it for your future or spend it on your friends. I will hear no more arguments.” He smiled, apparently quite happy with himself. “I will probably not see you again before you leave, so have a splendid eve and a pleasant trip. It has been a delight to call you a friend. Be sure and return to Rome, son, and when you do, I will give you all the aid you need in whatever endeavors you plan for yourself.”
“Thank you, Lord.” Sincere gratitude rocked him. “Truly, it means much to be numbered among your friends.”
They clasped hands, then Caius moved away, back into his house, leaving Jason with another moment of silence.
It did not last long. The voice that spoke this time was soft, unfamiliar. He had to turn, in fact, to find its owner in the shadows.
“Master Jason?”
Unless the darkness deceived him, it was that slave of Titus’s, the one whose name he had never discovered. If possible, she was even more beautiful under the soft luminescence of the stars, her dark hair and olive features blending harmoniously with the night. He made no verbal reply, but when his eyes met hers, she stepped nearer.
“You have agreed to my master’s request?”