Eventually Love
Chapter Five

Before she could wonder why the wine cellar was secured like a dungeon, Tasa heard a key twisting in the entrance door's lock. She dropped the mat and, holding her bump with both hands, she half waddled, half lurched back toward her room.

She knew she would never make it in time.

This was it, the door was opening. She spent an interesting moment imagining Quintus' rage and retribution. She'd already seen his temper. What could she do to avert it?

There was only one chance…

Quintus paused at the open threshold. He didn't know why but he suddenly wanted to be certain Tasa didn't know what he'd just been doing. It wasn't that he was ashamed of it exactly… He licked his lips as only he could and wiped his mouth on his tunic – the inside of the neck opening so the stain was hidden. Then he stepped inside and closed the door with his back to the room before turning to look around.

Tasa was approaching at speed, or what must seem like it to such a heavily pregnant woman. She was going to fling herself at him if he didn't act now.

'I told you to remain in your room,' he said. It wasn't loud or angry but it made her stop dead.

She glanced up to read his expression but he was impenetrable. She hung her head. 'I wanted to greet you on your return,' she managed to squeak.

'You disobeyed me,' he stated flatly.

She couldn't think of anything to say to make it better, so there was a long, uncomfortable silence.

Then, Quintus made a noise. It was a bit like, 'Huh,' but Tasa thought she heard a note of approval in it. Had she been able to look up, she would have seen a tiny nod that confirmed that suspicion.

'Well, do not disobey me now. Wait for me in your room.'

She headed that way in silent relief but watched to see where he went before she closed the door fully. He headed to the courtyard. Perhaps to the cooking area? Tasa tried to remember if she'd moved the metal grating on the cellar hatch or replaced the mat exactly as she'd found it. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall precisely what she'd done in that first instant of panic. She waited for an angry Quintus to come barging in to question her and invented half a dozen explanations and excuses to save her hide. And more importantly, to save her baby.

She heard some noises from the courtyard but Quintus didn't come to her and the night wore on to morning.