Chapter Three
Neither Cassia nor the slave woman spoke, normally Cassia would have asked her name and tried to make conversation but she was too exhausted to try and be friendly. Used to stripping off in front of servants and slaves, Cassia found herself hesitating about undressing in front of the unknown woman.
"I…" She trailed off embarrassed, it was ridiculous but she was suddenly self-conscious about her ash caked appearance. The woman smiled reassuringly and left Cassia alone where she hurriedly stripped and plunged into the heated water. She submerged herself completely and ran her hands through her hair trying to shake out as much of the ash and dirt as humanly possible. When she emerged she was horrified to see the Senator swimming towards her. "What are you doing?" She gasped turning around to hug the side of the large bath to try and protect herself.
"We will be meeting with the Emperor soon; I can hardly see him covered in dust." Cassia looked at him scornfully; unlike her he had not been bothered with protecting his modesty and had bathed during their journey. Only his clothes held the tell-tale signs of their ordeal. His hand found her waist and stroked it lightly; Cassia gasped and pushed the hand away. "Cassia we will be married soon –"
"Soon," she hissed, "we are not yet married and this is inappropriate! I am not going to have people whispering that I am one of your whores!"
"There is no one around and none of my slaves would dare spread such rumours."
"Senator please," Cassia whispered realising how stupid she had been to let herself be left alone.
"We are alone; there is no need for such formalities." Cassia closed her eyes tightly as she felt her hair pulled away from her neck and the Senator's lips brushing against the skin. "At least let me look at you." He tried to turn her hips so she would face him but Cassia resisted. "What is the harm in looking if you are to be mine?"
"I am not a horse to be examined," Cassia whispered feeling sick to her stomach. She thought back to the night when she had met with the Senator at her father's villa, is this how Milo had felt when he was put on display for the guests that evening? She squeezed her eyes shut as water flooded down her head, she could feel the Senator's fingers weaving through her hair as he washed out the last remaining pieces of ash.
"When we meet with the Emperor we will inform him of the tragedy that took place, but I will withhold that your father question his competence. That a rebellion was forming, and that he tried to kill me of course."
"These are all lies," Cassia whispered gripping the edge of the bath and forcing herself to keep looking ahead. She could not believe that her father would have tried to kill the Senator, but even if he had surely it was justified? The Senator had come into their home and threatened them! He had abducted Cassia!
"I am sure he would like to toast our engagement but I shall think tomorrow would be a better occasion to celebrate. It does seem distasteful delivering such sorrowful news and celebrating only a few hours later." He continued to pour water over head and massage out the dirt, Cassia was surprised by how gentle his fingers were as they carefully wove through her hair. As his hands slowly worked their way down to her shoulders Cassia moved closer to the edge of the bath so her front was pressed against it, she crossed her arms over herself to try and stop him from making an inappropriate grope.
"My lady I have some clothes which may fit you," Cassia's head snapped up to see the brunette slave standing several feet away and holding up a soft green gown. Her eyes were focused on the floor but she seemed unfazed with the Senator's presence.
"Sen – Corvus please," Cassia whispered, "my parents entrusted me to travel to Rome alone once before. I do not wish to dishonour their memory by bringing disgrace upon my father's name." She turned her head so she could look at him over her shoulder; he was standing so close she could see beads of sweat on his collarbone. "If we marry I have no doubt that you will take every available opportunity to satisfy your lust," Cassia whispered, "surely you can leave me be until then?" She could not bring herself to say when, she longed for a way out of this betrothal. It is not yet official…perhaps the Emperor will try to dissuade him! The Senator had certainly not been short of choices for female companionship when she had arrived in Rome, she had never seen him with the same woman twice. She could only hope that the lure of a willing woman would prove more enticing for the Senator than her.
"Very well." Cassia squeezed her eyes tightly shut as the Senator pulled himself from the bath, she could tell the Senator was laughing from the sound of his voice as he spoke. "Do not be long, we have a meeting with the Emperor and I will not have him kept waiting."
"He has gone my lady," the slave spoke softly when Cassia didn't move or open her eyes. She was terrified the Senator was standing there, waiting for her to emerge from the bath. When she finally forced her eyes open it was to find the slave woman smiling reassuringly and holding out a long piece of white cloth. Cassia gratefully accepted the fabric and wrapped herself up in it. She followed the woman into a small chamber just off from the bath and sat down in front of a polished piece of looking glass.
"How long have you been in Rome?" Cassia asked nervously.
"Since I was a child, my family were killed when the Romans invaded except my brother and I. He died in the arena three years ago; I was a gift to the Senator."
"A gift?" Cassia could not keep the disgust from her voice and she winced as the woman pulled at a tangle in her hair.
"Not as you are thinking my lady. The Senator does not touch slaves; he has no need for us. But his household was mainly male staff; there were no ladies to attend his women. I was intended to act as maid to any female guests." Cassia wanted to ask what the Senator was like, to see if her life would be as bad as she dreaded but she couldn't bring herself too. What if he was outside listening? Or if this woman reported whatever Cassia said? I can trust no one…I am all alone. She thought of Ariadne and felt a tear trickle down her cheek.
"Forgive me," she said wiping it away hurriedly. "I am not normally…"
"We could tell from both the state of your clothes that you and the Senator have had a rough time. You do not need to say anything, but if you want to talk I am here." Cassia smiled weakly and nodded to show she was thankful, but her throat had constricted making it impossible to talk.
"I am Cassia," she finally managed to introduce herself as the woman helped her to dress in soft green robes. They emphasised the green flecks in her own eyes making them seem lighter. She turned to look at herself in the looking glass; her hair was back to its glossy chestnut and was piled on top of her head with a few ringlets left to frame her face and caress her slender shoulders. "Thank you," she said feeling slightly better now that she was clean. "I am sorry I should have asked earlier but what is your name?"
"Accalia," the woman laughed at Cassia's shocked expression. "The Romans who first bought me renamed me…I cannot remember what my parents called me. And perhaps it is for the best. Rome is my home now, as it is yours I am sure.
"Cassia you look beautiful," the Senator greeted Cassia by brushing his lips against the back of her right hand. Accalia stood a little behind and dutifully looked at the floor. "The Emperor will be arriving shortly; in the meantime will you allow me to give you a brief tour of the villa?" He waved his hand in dismissal at Accalia and the woman disappeared so swiftly Cassia was sure she had been a vision. Cassia nodded and rested her hand on the arm that he offered her. "Give it a few days and you will feel perfectly at home, you already know the city after all." The Senator led her out into the courtyard where a large marble fountain took centre piece among lush green grass and intricate mosaics. Cassia walked up to the fountain, the spray of water glittering like diamonds in the afternoon sunlight. "When we are married it will be your task to run the household." Cassia looked down at her reflection in the water and suppressed herself from pulling a face. Her mother had indeed taught her, her duty but her reflection in the water was that of a child. She wasn't ready to run a household yet, especially that of a Roman Senator! "You are an intelligent girl I am sure you will learn fast."
"I will try my best," Cassia turned from the fountain and wandered around the courtyard with him. The air was rich with fragrant flowers and fat bees buzzed happily around the centre of the brightly coloured plants. Pillars lined the length of the courtyard and she watched people walking to and fro. The villa was elegantly furnished, the rooms were large, bright and airy she thought wistfully of her parents' villa and blinked back tears.
"Senator Corvus the Emperor has arrived," a young boy found the Senator and his betrothed in a small room furnished with a large table and maps strewn across the surface and walls.
"Corvus…what are you going to say to the Emperor?" Cassia asked quietly, her eyes were focused on the map in front of her which showed how far the Romans had travelled and the lands they had conquered. "I will not sit by while you lie about my parents. They would never have plotted against Rome…" She felt cool fingers brush against her cheek and she looked up into the Senator's green eyes.
"I am merely going to tell him about the tragedy. As long as you behave yourself I see no reason to further disgrace your parents." Cassia followed him from the room and down to a large hall where they found the Emperor Titus being fanned by several slaves. After formalities were met a slave brought in a platter of fruits, wine and goblets before the Senator dismissed all but two who remained fanning the emperor. Cassia noticed that only two goblets had been brought and she forced herself to remain calm, was this one of the ways he thought to humiliate her? She poured wine for Titus and handed it to him demurely, keeping her eyes down and a small smile on her lips. When she handed Corvus his own goblet she resisted accidentally spilling it on him.
"Your messenger said that you bring grave news Corvus, yet what could be grave about having such a beauty as your bride?"
"Emperor Titus I travelled to Pompeii to speak with Cassia's father about investing in the city, unfortunately before terms could be properly agreed the city was destroyed. Mount Vesuvius began to throw out fire, Cassia and I were fortunate to escape with our lives and I am unsure of how many others made it." Cassia studied Titus for his reaction; the man took a deep drink from his goblet as he digested the news.
"I will of course send out a group of soldiers immediately to see if there are any survivors or if the city can be salvaged. I am sorry for the loss of your home my dear," Titus turned to address Cassia. "What of your parents? Are they in Rome?"
"No…they…" Cassia's throat tightened and she looked down at her hands which trembled lightly.
"Unfortunately Cassia's parents expired in the tragedy. I was with them; her mother's parting words were to protect her daughter at all costs. I assume it was a small comfort to both of them knowing that I intended to marry their daughter, they died in peace knowing she would at least be well cared for." Corvus rested a large hand on Cassia's shoulder and she felt tears spill down her cheeks.
"When is the joyous occasion to be held?" Titus asked reaching out to squeeze Cassia's hand and smiling in a fatherly way at her. "You should not feel guilty about being excited. I myself am a father; I look forward to the day when I can see my own daughters wed. I am sure both your parents are in the afterlife eagerly watching for you to be married."
"A…the Senator has not yet chosen a date." Cassia whispered unable to look at of the men. She felt like a rabbit being hunted, both looked at her eagerly. The Senator with a predatory look, the Emperor with one of sympathy yet eager anticipation.
"Considering the circumstances perhaps it would be best to dispose with formalities? The marriage of a Roman Senator is a cause for celebration and given the tragic circumstances…perhaps sooner would be better." Titus stood up and raised his goblet, Cassia and Corvus followed suit but without a goblet all Cassia could do was force her hands to remain loosely at her sides. "Tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow?" Cassia choked, "but…I am still in grieving!"
"Cassia!" Corvus looked down at her horrified, "you are being selfish! The whole of Rome is in mourning for the loss of Pompeii, what better way to lift the spirits of our people than by celebrating the marriage of a Roman Senator and the surviving daughter of the man who governed Pompeii?"
"Senator Corvus is correct my dear," Emperor Titus looked at her sternly. "As the wife of a Roman Senator you need to put our citizens first. Let them have cause for celebration, surely it is what your parents would want?" Desperate to leave, to bury her head in her arms and sob, Cassia could only force herself to nod. How could she tell this man that, that would be the last thing her parents would want? "Then it is settled, I understand you have arranged for a feast tomorrow Corvus? We shall hold the ceremony before then and shall toast you both at the feast."