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

security. For the last few months some of the villagers have incited riots. Some worry that a revolt will happen like the one that happened back in sixty.”
    Victor scoffed. “As in ancient Boudica?”
    Cordus nodded. “Exactly such. And the women never go out alone. There are women who’ve disappeared off the streets and are never seen again. Some women at the farmsteads on my land won’t work outside their houses.”
    A weird feeling crawled up Terentius’s spine. “How many women have disappeared?”
    Cordus shrugged. “It’s all rumor, but they say perhaps ten in the last several weeks.”
    “On Mercury’s cock.” Victor sent a disbelieving look toward Terentius. “I’ve never heard such a thing.”
    Nerva tilted her chin upward, an uninterested coolness in her eyes, as if she’d heard of atrocities like this so many times they failed to move her. “Let us speak of more pleasant subjects, shall we?”
    Conversation centered on mundane topics and Terentius started to feel restless. Insignificant pleasantries often bored him. He stood and wandered toward the doors leading to the courtyard. Outside the day remained bright, but darkness would fall fast in this clime. Though they were in the same room, Victor, Nerva and Cordus talked at one side of the room and Cordia wandered up to Terentius.
    Cordia’s gaze unnerved him—the way she looked at him suggested a feline stalking a mouse. In defense, Terentius launched into a formal discussion of the villa and how remarkable he found it. “This villa is much like the one I grew up in.”
    Cordia smiled. “Impressive. Was your villa this large?”
    Terentius nodded as unwanted thoughts generated unease inside him. “Yes.”
    Cordia’s smile turned to a petulant pout. She leaned forward, and her breasts pushed against her garments. “Do tell me more. Did you have many slaves?”
    “A few.”
    “Your family must be wealthy.”
    Searing memories rose to the surface. “Yes. They were.”
    A gleam entered her eyes. The little wench liked the idea she’d found a centurion with money. Fuck. She stood too close, and yet he couldn’t enjoy her feminine allure when thoughts of Adrenia kept popping into his head.
    He wished he hadn’t mentioned his parents’ villa, but not wishing to be rude, he said, “My villa was near Deva, where my main post is. I’d lived there since I was about sixteen. Before that, I lived in Neapolis, in Italia.”
    “I thought I detected an accent,” Cordia said. “I’m very good at telling what regions a person might hail from.”
    Terentius thought he sounded as British as the rest of the people around here. It had been a damned long time since he’d lived in Italia. “Do you speak any local dialects?”
    She drew in a slow breath. “Not really. I prefer to speak Latin. Honestly, it’s the language of the Roman citizenry. Why would I want to learn anything else?”
    Her snobbery didn’t surprise him. He didn’t believe what he said next, but arguing with her didn’t feel right at this time or place. “Indeed. A young woman of delicate sensibilities and nature has no need of such things.”
    Something flashed in her eyes, as if she couldn’t tell whether she’d been insulted. She stood even closer, her hand brushing his arm. “Have you seen our courtyard?”
    “Your father showed us.”
    “Pity.” Her words purred low. “I would like to show you myself sometime.”
    She headed through the doors, and he followed, a part of him wondering if he’d just made a huge mistake. He stopped just inside the courtyard. A chill breeze played over his body.
    She walked among the hedgerow and flower growth, her path toward the water trickling in a nearby fountain. “Did you have a courtyard like this at your family villa?”
    The chit knew the answer, but he wouldn’t be rude. “Yes, though not as elaborate.”
    Snowflakes fluttered from a lone cloud high above. She walked back toward him, the folds of her garments swirling in