The Course of Honour by Lindsey Davis Read Free Book Online

can disillusion him.’
    Antonia sighed with irritation. ‘Are you deceiving yourself—or trying to deceive me?’ Caenis wisely made no reply. ‘Have you confided in anybody else? I thought you were friendly with that girl Veronica?’
    With a pang of resentment, Caenis finally grasped how nearly her friendship with Veronica had jeopardised her post. She took the opportunity to speak up: ‘Veronica has a good heart. I do like her, but that does not mean I admire her life. And she has never influenced mine, madam.’ She smiled reassuringly. ‘I have never even mentioned Vespasian to Veronica.’
    â€˜I will not have my staff used by ambitious young men,’ declared Antonia, though she liked people who stood up to her; she could be weakening.
    Caenis decided to show she was shrewd. ‘I value my position too highly to risk it through foolishness. Besides, madam, if your court is seen as a desirable forum for young men who wish to advance in public life—as it must be—then he and his brother have obtained their entrée anyway. Somebody, their father perhaps, has ensured that they are taken up by Vitellius. Vespasian cannot believe knowing me will improve on that.’
    Now her mistress seemed amused. ‘Then, my dear, what does he want?’
    â€˜I suppose, what they all want,’ Caenis decided, so as two women together they laughed and nodded distrustfully. ‘He will be due for a disappointment! Madam, if he intends to pick my brains for your secrets, I shall certainly give him a sharp answer. I believe he knowsthat. No—as I told you, I suspect he is just a young man who lacks friends in Rome. I am under no delusions; once he finds his feet in society that will be the end of me.’
    â€˜You seem to have worked everything out.’
    â€˜I think a girl in my position has to,’ Caenis said quietly.
    Antonia, who favoured Caenis strongly, and who disliked having to involve herself in the private lives of her staff, seemed to tire of the conversation. ‘Well, you were right to speak to me. I have no wish to deprive you of companionship. But rank must be respected—’
    â€˜I am a slave,’ Caenis agreed quietly. ‘If he wants a mistress, he has to look elsewhere.’
    â€˜So long as you accept it. So long as you make him accept it too! Don’t let him ask questions.’ Don’t get pregnant, thought Antonia. Don’t force me to discipline you; don’t betray my trust. ‘And don’t let yourself be hurt.’
    Squaring up the writing tablets on her knee, Caenis laughed unhappily. ‘Thank you, madam.’
    â€˜Caenis, you undervalue yourself!’
    In the girl before her Antonia saw what Vespasian must see—that fine, bright, interesting look that marked an intelligent woman; a look which in drawing the eye also lifted the heart. A man with the taste to admire such quality was more dangerous than any philanderer or hustler.
    With an angry jerk at the cushions under her back, Antonia conceded, ‘Ask Athenaïs to find you something decent to wear.’
    Caenis felt startled. She had been intending to borrow Veronica’s best blue gown, since she knew that Veronica had worked herself an invitation to a function which required only a silver anklet and a wisp of gauze.
    â€˜Something will be found for you,’ Antonia brusquely said again.
    Then, much as she distrusted other people’s support, Caenis understood that in speaking out she had softened Antonia’s strict principles. Her mistress would keep her, and indulge her. She had earned more than her lady’s goodwill. She had become her favourite.
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    Something
was found; something wonderful. Athenaïs, who mended Antonia’s clothes, carried the garment to her cubicle. Her face split with a shy grin. ‘Pamphila has screwed up her face and let you have this!’ Pamphila was the wardrobe