“Perhaps we can make arrangements more suitable to your desires,” Sertes said.
“My desire is to be left alone.”
Sertes was undaunted. He knew Atretes better than the gladiator knew himself. He had observed him in captivity and out. “You have been left alone,” he said, watching Atretes drop the towel from around his waist and pull on a fresh, richly woven tunic. He was the most magnificently built man Sertes had ever seen. “For several months. You seem little satisfied by your solitude.”
Putting on a thick leather belt with brass studs, Atretes looked at him with eyes so cold Sertes knew he had pressed him far enough for today. He wasn’t distressed by his failure to gain Atretes’ agreement to reenter the arena. There would be other opportunities. He would make use of them as they came. He waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. “Very well,” he said with a smile. “We’ll talk of other things.” And he proceeded to do so. Sertes left an hour later, but not before inviting Atretes to one of the banquets before the games. He said the proconsul of Rome was eager to pay his respects. Atretes sensed the undercurrent of warning. One didn’t slight a high official of Rome without consequences. Still, he declined.
Sertes became more direct. “One should be very careful about insulting the wrong Roman.”
“I’ve learned many things during my captivity, Sertes. Even Caesar himself is afraid of the mob. And as you well know, the mob still loves me.”
“You are also wise enough to know that the mob is like a fickle woman. Stay away from her long enough and she’ll forget. Besides, what the mob wants most is to see you fight again.”
Atretes said nothing, but Sertes saw that the words had struck a raw nerve. Good. As he went down the steps with Atretes at his side, he saw a young woman with a baby, walking in the sunshine of the barren courtyard before the villa. At first, he thought it was Julia Valerian and was surprised. His spies had reported the relationship ended some months ago. They’d also informed him that Julia Valerian had been carrying a child rumored to be fathered by Atretes. He had ordered his spies to watch the house until the birth. They reported the child had been cast upon the rocks to die. A pity. Had the child been Atretes’ and lived, it might have proven very useful.
Pausing, Sertes stroked his chin and watched the young woman with open interest. She was small and very nicely curved. She glanced their way. His smile broadened. She turned away again and disappeared around the corner of the building. “You always did have an eye for beauty.” He cast Atretes an amused glance. “Who is she?”
“A household servant.”
Sertes sensed Atretes’ annoyed withdrawal and wondered about it. He glanced in the direction the woman had gone, curious. “And the child? Is it yours?”
“The child is hers.”
Sertes said no more, but a seed of speculation had been planted in his fertile mind.
* * *
Rizpah turned and saw Atretes striding toward her. She knew he was angry. Everything about him exuded his foul mood. Shifting Caleb in her arms, she sighed, wondering what she had done to displease him now.
“You’re not to leave the villa unless I order you to do so!”
“You wish to make your son a prisoner, my lord?” she said, striving for calm.
“I wish to protect him!”
“As do I, Atretes. I’m within the walls.”
“You will stay in the villa!”
“What possible harm can come to Caleb out here? You have guards—”
“Woman, you will do as I say!”
Her hackles rose at his imperious tone. The man was impossible! She had never taken well to being commanded to obedience. Shimei had always dealt with her in a more gentle fashion than this thick-headed German. “If you are reasonable, I will obey. In this case, you aren’t.”
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Press me, and I’ll throw you right out that gate.”
She looked straight back at him. “No, you will not.”
Hot color flooded his face. “What makes you so sure?”
“Because you’re as concerned for Caleb’s good health as I. I don’t know why you’re so incensed, Atretes. You watched me walk Caleb around the yard yesterday and the day before and had no objections. Today you look like a melon ready to burst.”
Atretes struggled to hold his temper. She was right, which only maddened him further. He had watched her yesterday and the day before, and he’d found pleasure in doing so, possibly for the same reasons Sertes had just enjoyed watching her. She was beautiful and full of feminine grace. He seethed now. She knew, for the sake of his son, he couldn’t throw her out the gate. His hands sorely itched to throttle her. He had seen the look of speculation in Sertes’ eyes before he left.