“Julia must miss him,” Fannia said, referring to Tiberius’s wife (and Caesar’s daughter by his first wife, whom he forced to marry Tiberius). All of Rome knew how much Tiberius hated Julia. There was increasing gossip about her attendance at nightly orgies and drinking parties, so much so that it wouldn’t be long before Caesar would no longer be able to ignore the rumors.
“Not as much as you must mourn for your lost son.” She reached across the couch and patted Fannia’s hand.
Fannia snatched it away. Livia knew how to wound her cousin. Fannia still lived with the pain of losing her only child to fever at age ten. Sotas had once told me he thought it was part of the reason she had taken to mentoring Apicius, to feel solace for the son who was gone.
“I hear your grandson, Drusus, is growing up quite fast,” Apicius said to Livia in an attempt to change the subject.
“Why, yes, he is.” Drusus was Tiberius’s only son from his first wife. “He’s sixteen and is learning the sword already. I suspect he’ll make a fine commander in Caesar’s army one day.”
The asparagus patina came out and Fannia’s scissor slave sliced the egg dish into wedges for each guest. “This is a recipe from Apicius’s kitchen,” she said with pride.
Livia took a bite. “This is exquisite.” She seemed to be addressing Octavius, who smiled and dipped his head.
“It is indeed,” he said between mouthfuls. I was surprised. I expected him to be more contrary.
She dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “Apicius, everyone I know who travels to Baiae says an invitation to one of your parties is most desirable. After tasting this, I know why.”
Warmth flooded me and I felt momentarily dizzy. The empress liked my food!
Apicius too was pleased. “Thank you, my lady. I am humbled by your words.”
“I see you brought your coquus with you,” Octavius noted, waving his spoon toward me.
All eyes were on me. My heart leaped into my throat, lodging there like a too big piece of radish.
“Octavius says that he has made you quite the star in Baiae.”
It was strange to hear that Octavius would say anything nice about his rival. Nor did he seem perturbed by Livia’s words.
Apicius didn’t have the wherewithal to be humble. “Why, yes, Thrasius has certainly helped me raise the bar when it comes to entertainment.”
“Octavius would like to buy him from you,” she said.
My mouth dropped open in surprise.
Octavius delivered an oily smile at Apicius’s hesitation. “I realize he must be quite valuable. I assure you, I am willing to pay whatever price you name.”
There was an uncomfortable silence. I said a small prayer to Sotas’s goddess, Fides, promising to be faithful to Apicius if she would keep me from being sold.
“Well?” Octavius asked, his brow furrowed in irritation.
“My friend, while I appreciate your offer, I cannot part with Thrasius, not for any amount of coin. He has become part of our family and to lose him would be devastating to all of us.”
“I see.” Octavius’s tone was abrupt and threatening. “I promise you, Apicius, at some point you will be most inclined to change your mind.” He glanced at Livia, as though he expected her to back him up, but she only arched her eyebrow at Apicius.
Then she smiled, glancing at Fannia as she spoke. “Family is important and should be highly regarded. It is admirable of you to protect and respect yours, Apicius.” She gestured to her body-slave, who rushed forward to help her up and into her cape.
“Fannia, thank you for a lovely meal. Apicius, I am glad to have met you. I trust that you will seriously consider Octavius’s offer. May Mercury protect you on your journey home.” Her voice was flat and held no hint to what she might truly feel.
As soon as the door closed, Fannia barked an order to her slaves to bring back the absinthe. “You, my dear friend, have just made yourself a powerful enemy in Octavius. Be glad he did not fully curry the favor of Livia. She could have forced a purchase today if she had desired. In the future you may not be so lucky.”
? ? ?
Apicius wasn’t anxious to return home and ordered a stop at the villa in Minturnae, where he spent his time brooding, drinking, and bedding the female slaves. His temper was short and he made Sotas administer many beatings during our visit.
“Please, Dominus Apicius, we should return to Baiae. Surely you miss Apicata?” I said one day, in an attempt to reason with him. I was desperate to see Passia with every passing day.
The look on his face told me everything I needed to know. I dared not move as he strode toward me and slammed his hand against the side of my face. His heavy rings smashed against my temple and I could see stars through the blackness. I fell to the ground, clutching my head in pain.
“We go when I say we go. Next time think hard before you question me.” He turned back to the window and left Sotas to gather me up and escort me out.
I reeled with his words.
I stayed away from him after that, sharing only the barest of words when asked at meals. A month passed before his mood shifted and we returned to Baiae.
? ? ?
Aelia came out to the gates to meet us. Her hands were on her hips and the look she bore was that of a woman deciding whether to give her lover a second chance. I looked for Passia but she had not come to the door.
Apicius hurried to his wife and wrapped his arms around her as though he were afraid he would never see her again. “Oh, how I missed you!”
She held him for a spell, then pulled away. “You were gone for much longer than you promised. Why didn’t you send a messenger?”
Apicius bowed his head. “In truth, my little dove, I was so busy I didn’t think of it.”
I wanted to kick him.
“Well, husband, what kept you so busy that you didn’t have time to think about your wife?”
Though the scorn in her voice was evident, Apicius was excited to show her all he had acquired in his travels. He shouted at the slaves to start bringing in the furniture.
“All this, dear wife.”
Aelia’s mouth fell open and her eyes widened. I knew her well enough to guess what she was feeling—amazement at her husband’s inability to comfort her and astonishment at the purchases being unloaded from the many wagons.
“You are replacing all of our furniture?”
Apicius grinned. It was as though he were eight years old and showing a favorite toy to his friend. “I hoped to cheer you up. I bought new furniture for the villa in Minturnae as well.” He pulled her close once more. What he couldn’t see but Sotas and I could was the look of sadness and resignation on Aelia’s face.
CHAPTER 6