Enslaved by Cassandra Dean

Author:Cassandra Dean
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, historical romance, forbidden love, ancient rome, starcrossed lovers, historical ancient roman romance, historical roman romance
Publisher: Cassandra Dean

***

THE NIGHT WAS, I suppose, a success.

Most of the highest echelons of our city attended, and most told me of their delight in the evening. I even believed most of them were speaking truth. The food was of the finest quality, the wine flowed freely and the entertainments were sufficiently perverse to entertain our jaded society.

Still, I knew my husband would never gain a senate seat.

It was me as well as him. I knew this. I was not a social being. I hated evenings like this, evenings where I was forced to the company of others, and I knew I had no talent for conversation. No matter that I stood correct. That my shoulders were back. That my hair coiled on my head and my robes were arranged precisely. Still I would fail.

Around me, women gossiped about another whom I did not know, about how she was debasing herself for lust of a general. They tittered behind their hands and wondered if it was his magic cock or his lofty status that enthralled her so.

I turned my mind to other things. If not for my husband’s insistence, I would not be there. Their concerns were not mine. Their laughter was not mine. I could not pretend any interest in politics or in gossip or in anything they discussed. They were perfect noble daughters, perfect noble wives, and I…was not.

“And you, Lucia? What say you?”

Domita, wife of Magistrate Glaber, watched me expectantly. Claudia of the Junii and Mira Augustus watched too. Did they truly wish my opinion? I did not have one. However, even one such as I knew I could not give this as my answer.

Uncomfortable silence grew.

Slowly, their gazes turned to the other. Already, I could hear the whispers. From previous experience, ‘silent’ and ‘haughty’ seemed favourite murmurs.

Bowing my head, I avoided their gaze. I would rather be with Aurelia. If I were with her, we would now be playing a game or walking the river or perusing the market. Instead, I stood in this hall with my hands laced before me and failed at pretending interest in what they said.

If I were truthful, I would rather be with both my children. If it were allowed me, I knew Aurelia would laugh and demand my attention and want games and pastries and a host of childish things. My son would surely want to play the soldier, to bat a wooden sword at his sister. This, however, I did not know. I was not often allowed to visit with my son.

“My darling, you are monopolising your husband’s guests.” My mother brushed a kiss against my cheek, more air than substance, and then turned to the others. “Tell me, what is it that has you secreted over here, far from the festivities?”

Domita gave a raised brow. “We talk of many things, Attalia. Most recently, of a woman’s craving for a general.”

My mother did not react. She did not, and yet the very fact she did not told much. Could it be my mother was the woman of whom they spoke?

Undaunted, my mother turned to me.

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