The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

Author:Elodie Harper [Harper, Elodie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838933562
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

21

For assuredly to live is to be awake.

Pliny the Elder, Natural History

The stall selling flowers and garlands is on the shady side of the street, but the heat of the late afternoon has still caused many of the blooms to wilt. Amara and Dido whisper together, trying to pick out the freshest stems from buckets of water, watched by the hovering shop assistant.

“Can we afford lilies?”

“We should probably make the effort, if we want Aurelius to book us again.”

It’s only the second time they have been to the wine seller’s house. Aurelius is a friend of Fuscus, but not Cornelius, and his tastes seem more decorous. A secret brothel at the end of his garden is an unthinkable idea.

They buy the lilies and wander slowly back. The streets are less crowded than usual, nobody who doesn’t have to be out is braving the heat, and if last night at the brothel is any indication, half Pompeii has a hangover. Amara rubs her arm where she knows a bruise marks the skin, a gift from a particularly aggressive customer last night. It will be a nuisance to hide the blemish tonight.

“Are you feeling better?” Dido looks anxiously at her arm. “I know last night was difficult.”

“I almost wish I hadn’t seen him now,” Amara says, and they both know she isn’t referring to the customer. But it hurts too much to talk about Menander directly. “It makes everything feel so much worse.”

“I told Nicandrus this.”

“Were you meant to see him yesterday too?” Amara is surprised Dido didn’t tell her.

Dido nods, then they pause their conversation to let a cart pass, standing close against the wall to avoid the dust. “What can we give each other?” Dido asks, as they start walking again. “Apart from a moment’s kindness. When you cannot be with someone, is it worth the pain, pretending it’s any different? I’m sorry,” she says, seeing Amara’s stricken face. “But I’m not sure what loving Menander gives you? If it were Salvius even, I would understand. Might he not buy you one day? At least it’s possible. Another slave… there’s nothing he can give any woman, however much he might want to.”

“I know,” Amara says, trying not to think of the feel of Menander’s arm around her or the laughter in his eyes. “I know he can’t.”

“Do you think Salvius would ever buy you?”

“No. I mean, I have wondered about it,” she admits. “But you should hear him talk about Sabina, her extraordinary virtue, her shyness. He’s not the type to keep me as a concubine, and it’s obvious I’m not someone he might think of as a wife.” She hesitates. “What about Priscus?”

“No chance!” Dido laughs. “What would he do? Keep me at Salvius’s house as a secret lover? He has that already.”

They reach the brothel and knock at the door to Felix’s flat. Paris answers.

“Master’s busy,” he says, scowling at them both.

“Doesn’t matter,” Amara answers, giving the door an impatient shove. “We’re here to practise for this evening. He knows about it.

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