“You were lawless pagans.” Her expression combined amusement with a hint of irritation. “You spent every moment you could carousing in the city, and you made my husband feel guilty for opting to stay at home with his family.”
“She knows you well, I see.” Lucius grinned and motioned for a slave to refill his wine. “You should have seen him here before he left, my friend. There was not a party he did not attend, a woman he did not seduce, a wine he had not tasted–and still he was one of the most stubbornly reasonable men I ever had the hardship of knowing! I could not once instigate a fight with him, and trust me, I tried. I even had good reason once or twice, but he would never rise to the bait. Now if his father dared to insult him, that was a different story.”
“Enough of your reminiscing, Lucius. Abigail does not wish to hear about my ill-spent youth.”
He knew Abigail truly did not wish to hear about it, but Lucius apparently thought the comment indicated its opposite. With another laugh, he leaned closer to her. “He was the envy of every man in Rome. Not only was he known to have the most beautiful slaves awaiting his every whim at home, he seemed to be able to merely quirk his finger and have any noblewoman willing to throw aside her virtue and invite him into her chamber.”
Feeling Abigail’s shoulders tense, Titus interjected calmly. “That is enough, Lucius, take pity on the lady. You will offend her sensibilities with such talk.”
“I only thought to make sure that she truly does know whom she has aligned herself with.” Lucius took a long draught of his drink.
Abigail put a hand on Titus’s knee, aligning herself with him even more. “I know Titus. I know the kind of man he was. And I also know him as a man far different from the one you describe.”
Lucius arched a brow and looked over her head at Titus. “Really? How interesting. I have never known him to hide his nature.”
“Nor have I.” Abigail smiled. “But even the most lawless of boys can grow into decent men.”
Titus heard her defense of him with an amused smile. He had a hard time focusing on her words, though, with her hand on his knee. He could feel the warmth of it through the layers of cloth, it seemed, and the awareness only grew until he could feel her nearness at every nerve ending. As Lucius rejoined and directed the conversation along a different path, he felt her relax again and took the chance to draw her a little closer, until her back was resting against his side. She darted a curious look at him over her shoulder once, as if wondering what he was up to, but she was soon turned back to Lucius, laughing at something he said. Her hand stayed where she had put it. It alone told him she was not as relaxed as she seemed, since the longer Lucius prattled, the more tense her fingers became.
“Are you all right?” he whispered into her ear when Lucius’s attention was diverted by a tray of food.
“Fine. Why do you ask?”
He chuckled. “Because you seem to be trying to reshape my knee.”
Abigail loosened her grip abruptly, and would have removed her hand had he not covered it with his own. “Sorry.”
“I do not mind.” He measured her for a moment. “You have not eaten much.”
She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I cannot. Miriam has tried to tempt me with everything here, but I would rather just wait until later, or tomorrow.”
He nodded, since Lucius had made his selections and turned back to them again. At that point the party was in full swing, and Titus marveled at how large it had become. He had somehow managed to forget how easily a small gathering could turn into something so massive in his father’s house. Many of the guests had settled onto couches or chairs by that time, more furniture having been brought in quietly as more people arrived. His father was not far from him, seeming deep in conversation with Cornelius Cossus.
After another hour, Abigail shifted beside him. “Excuse me, I must go tend Benjamin. I will be back in a few minutes.”
Titus nodded, moving so she could rise. He exchanged a glance with Phillip to direct the eunuch to accompany her, and the two slid from the room.
Lucius sipped again from his wine. “Once again, Titus, you have outdone us all. She is devoted to you.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “A pity. I would like to see what she hides under that stola.”
“I am glad you waited until she left before you announced that.” Titus motioned for a slave to refill his cup. He was not sure how many he had already had, but it was a fine vintage.
Lucius laughed. “I am not a complete scoundrel, Titus. At the very least, I realize that saying such a thing to a woman will ruin any chances I may have to begin with.” He grew suddenly pensive. It was not an uncommon thing for him, shifting moods so suddenly. “It is not fair that you have her, Titus, your mother is even now trying to find you a wife.”