For a Roman's Heart by Denise A. Agnew Read Free Book Online

shortly.”
    They followed the slave through the curtains into a long hall with several rooms lining the hall. Beyond lay an open courtyard. They stepped into the open air, and the slave left them.
    Terentius took in the two fountains that trickled in the center, their intricate square mosaic basins filled with interesting depictions. One showed a woman’s head, the hair flowing all around her as if she, too, floated in the water. The other mosaic showed several fish cavorting. Bronze statuettes of Bacchus, cupids and satyrs on pedestals lined the colonnaded overhang. Though winter season came soon, various shrubs and flowerbeds decorated the courtyard.
    Several seconds later, a short man strode into the area, his slave in tow. “Come in, come in, legionnaires. Welcome.” He stopped in front of them and nodded. “I am Decimus Caelius Cordus.”
    Terentius and Victor saluted the military veteran. The man wore a tunic and fine robes. His balding head held salt and pepper hair along the back, his dark eyes sharp, his nose equally imposing. Time hadn’t been kind to Cordus. Though Terentius had heard Cordus was fifty, winkles lined his brow and his jowls drooped. Though not fat, he obviously ate well.
    “Your estate is very well appointed, sir,” Terentius said.
    The villa owner smiled and led the way out of the courtyard and towards the main living area. “Please, call me Cordus.” Cordus stopped in an elaborately colonnaded area, paintings of nymphs and naked figures cavorting in a marginally civil fashion. “Gaius Fabius Rufus speaks highly of you in his letter, but I heard of your arrival yesterday.”
    “Sir?” Terentius asked.
    “My daughter heard from one of my tenants, and one of them heard of your coming from another tenant.”
    “Good. We are popular men already,” Victor said.
    Terentius speared him with an exasperated look. “Commander Rufus has known us but a day.”
    Victor waggled his eyebrows. “Great news travels fast.”
    Cordus chuckled. “Come this way. I’ve ordered refreshment for us all. My wife and daughter will join us shortly, if you don’t mind?”
    “Of course not,” Terentius said.
    Terentius and Victor followed, and when they alighted in the room, Terentius couldn’t help but admire the wealth in front of him. The high ceiling had an elaborate decorative design showing naked, chubby women Terentius knew Victor would like. His thought was confirmed when Victor gazed up at the ceiling and smiled.
    “Splendid decoration,” Victor said as he stared.
    “It’s original decoration from when I had the villa erected ten years ago,” Cordus said. “My wife didn’t like it so much, but she’s used to it.”
    Several long benches and couches spread around the room. Tables decorated with ornaments, namely busts of famous people, and a bust of Cordus himself lay around the room. Terentius wondered if he would ever feel arrogant enough to have a bust made of his own visage. He shook his head. Not likely. A breeze ruffled through the room and stirred silken off white curtains. The room abounded with sumptuous touches that showed that Cordus had spent lavishly but must have kept a great deal of wealth in hand. Nothing looked worn or unkempt.
    They settled on the sumptuous couches, one for each man. Plenty of room to put their feet up if they wished. When Cordus clapped his hands, two young boys about thirteen came in with platters of food and wine goblets. Cordus took one goblet for himself and a plate piled high with finger food. Terentius took the wine and food, as did Victor. Cordus dismissed the boys. An oil lamp shaped like a penis burned in one corner to stave off the wintry lack of light. On the other side of the room an incense burner also shaped like an erect cock sent a pungent order into the air. Terentius’s nose wrinkled at the strong scent.
    “This is the room where we’ve had our orgies,” Cordus said.
    “I beg your pardon?” Terentius said.
    Cordus’s thick, bushy