Five for Silver by Eric Mayer & Eric Mayer

Author:Eric Mayer & Eric Mayer [Reed, Mary & Mayer, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION, Mystery & Detective, General
ISBN: 9781615951703
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, Inc.
Published: 2011-03-15T07:00:00+00:00

When Anatolius departed, John secured the house door and visited Peter’s storeroom to replenish the kitchen wine jug, deriving some amusement from the realization he was performing tasks for both his servants. Then he sat in the garden for a while, mulling over his next course of action.

Europa appeared. She perched at the side of the pool, dangling a hand into the water. Her tunic sleeve was pulled up to her elbow, revealing a slim, muscular arm.

“It’s cool here, isn’t it? I suppose it will be another hot day.” She turned her face toward him and smiled.

His breath caught in John’s throat. Europa looked like her mother.

“Cool water feels wonderful, especially after all those dusty roads we traveled and the public squares we performed in with the sun blazing down on us all day long.”

“How is your mother?”

Europa looked down at the water, rippling with her hand. “As always. In Egypt she still insisted on dancing on the bull from time to time.”

“And otherwise?”

“She never married.”

Was his interest in that direction so transparent, he wondered. “And you haven’t either, it seems.”

Europa’s hand churned deeper, raising a series of waves. “Not yet, father.”

John drew a slow breath. He felt overheated. He would have found it easier to attend a midnight audience with Theodora than to try to talk to his own daughter. “And Thomas?”

“He has been nothing but helpful to mother and me. He’s different from when we met him years ago, when we were here the first time.”

John uneasily noted the secret smile that passed over her lips. “He may not be a man you want to think about too seriously, Europa.”

“Perhaps. But don’t be deceived by his barbarous looks. He is not as unsophisticated as he appears.”

The waves she was making lapped over the pool’s edge. She pulled her hand from the water and wiped it dry on her tunic.

“Please don’t worry about me, father. I am not certain what we will do after mother arrives. Considering the life I have led, what can I know about being the daughter of the Lord Chamberlain? Would I have to sit in the garden and sew dainty things all day or compose pretty verses like that fellow you were questioning just now? No, I’m happy as it is. Thomas says he’ll find a suitable bull to replace the one the troupe lost and then we can start traveling again.”

“If that is what you want, Europa, I can obtain an animal as fine as any in the empire before the sun sets.”

“Thank you, but I would rather Thomas and I found one for ourselves.”

John went indoors, leaving Europa sitting by the pool. Thomas again! What had Thomas been doing since they had last met? He had not exactly been forthcoming when questioned about it.

If Peter had been dead, John’s knock would have roused him.

Though he had nothing to say beyond asking that water be left at his door, Peter’s voice sounded weaker.

John debated ordering him to open the door. Then he could consult Gaius on suitable treatment.

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