Centurion's Honor (Imperial Desires, Book One) (9 page)

Finding both predictably empty, they finally returned to bed.

She settled against them, between them, but it was a long while before either of them fell asleep.

Anan was the last to close her eyes and drift off, her mind busy sifting through the puzzle of her thoughts.

Someone had entered her chambers this night, but to what end? That is what she needed to find out, and soon, because she was certain had Titus and Cassius not been with her, her intruder would have done more than just lurk.

Chapter Seven

The sun had just broken through the clouds to herald a new day and already Anan was dripping with sweat.

She wielded her blade against her opponent as if demons possessed her, as if Pluto himself was on her heels, ready to drag her to the Underworld.

She fought with a wild intensity, an untamed passion. Her face was flushed red, alight with purpose. The expression upon her face was one Titus had glimpsed before as she’d pleasured Cassius. She was beautiful, alluring, utterly captivating in her passion and Titus smiled, a measure of pride filling him that this woman so full of fire, so unyielding and domineering in her own right had eagerly yielded to the touch of a common Roman, a common soldier.

Metal striking metal snared his attention and he focused on the vision before him as he stood on the outskirts of the open field with Cassius beside him.

Together they regarded the two women in silence. Anan’s expression was intense, the expression of her foe was twisted with concentration as both females wielded their blades seemingly effortlessly in a friendly sparring bout.

Early that morning, Anan’s maidservant had entered her chambers when it was still dark outside. Olivia pretended as if she did not even take notice of the presence of the two naked men in her mistress’s bed, as if it were an everyday occurrence to find two naked Romans in Anan’s bed. She simply roused Anan, reminding her that apparently they had a standing occasion this time of morning, once every week.

With the early hour, and all that had transpired between them well into the night, Anan had insisted they remain in bed. Both he and Cassius had ignored her. Like Cassius, Titus was certain someone had been inside Anan’s private quarters last night. That her livestock had been poisoned caused him a measure of unease, that someone had entered her chambers, gazed upon them, their nude bodies entwined in an intimate embrace, caused him alarm. Cassius as well. And that thought alone would keep them both from an easy sleep without her between them. So when she’d risen, they’d joined her.

Besides, it was no hardship for him to rise with little sleep—his training had prepared him for far worse. And so he’d followed after the two women, to watch them spar, and truthfully to gaze upon smooth, scented skin dotted with sweat, their tunics clinging to taut, feminine bodies was no hardship either—although, in truth, his eyes only saw one woman on that field.

And as she sparred with Olivia, he gained a greater insight into the woman who’d shared his bed and her affections for her young maid. It soon became apparent that her maidservant was somehow more than a simple slave to Anan. Their relationship was more mother and daughter, as if Anan was grooming the girl for duties in a man’s household, that of her future husband perhaps.

Titus was not entirely certain he approved of the young girl being trained in the matters of war—he wasn’t certain he approved of any girl learning such things. Yet he appreciated Anan’s foresight. The Roman countryside, especially border provinces like Siga, was fraught with raids and enemy attacks. Perhaps it would be prudent for a woman to know how to defend her home and herself, if she should ever face such an attack.

And Titus decided then, by the skillful manner in which she wielded her short sword, that if ever such an attack did occur, young Olivia would be more than prepared to defend all that she cherished.

By the time the sun was fully awake, both women were exhausted, their bodies soaked with sweat, and they brought an end to their mock battle with the exchange of smiles and a warm hug.

“Would either of you care to join us?” Anan asked, after taking a sip of water from her pitcher. “Or will you continue to laze about, watching us all day?”

“Laze about?” Titus’ brow arched and he returned Anan’s teasing smile. “I thought we were doing our duty by guarding you.”

A ray of sunlight shimmered along the sharp edge of the metal blade she held in her hand.

“Guarding me,
you
say?” Anan’s eyes twinkled. “I think I have that task well in hand,
I
would say.”

“Do you now?” Titus took a step forward, rising to her challenge. If she was determined to spar with him, he was more than ready to offer her a formidable opponent. He reached for the blade at his side, but stopped when he caught sight of movement from the corner of his eye.

He did not recognize the man who walked behind one of Anan’s male servants, but he surmised Anan did when she lowered her sword to welcome the visitor.

“Claudius,” she greeted. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected visit?” Anan’s smile was warm, the embrace she gave the man she’d called Claudius was equally so and Titus frowned at how close she stood to the man after their hug long ended.

Claudius appeared slightly older than Anan, his closely cropped black hair tinged with gray along the temples. Titus noted grudgingly he was an attractive man, his body honed with muscle, the features of his handsome face chiseled and striking. From the golden finery of his garments, Titus also determined he was a man of means, quite wealthy if he were to hazard a guess.

Claudius’ attention seemed to be riveted upon Anan, which Titus fully understood, so several moments passed before the older man seemed to notice he was not alone with Anan, though from his roving eyes upon her figure, Titus had no doubt that this Claudius wished to be.

Anan quickly introduced them.

Titus was pleasant enough, but he did not miss the strained tone, the almost dangerous edge to Cassius’ voice. The sound of it was what drew Titus’ gaze to Cassius, and when he took in the drawn, tight features of the man’s face, he could only give a subtle shake of his head and a disapproving glare.

Cassius was determined to make a fool of himself, Titus decided, as he glanced between Cassius and Anan.

Anan stood close to Claudius, chatting amicably, and she flirted with the man, her laughter soft and feminine as she found amusement with one of his jokes. Yet she did not touch him, and her gaze periodically strayed to him and Cassius, almost as if by habit. Claudius did not strike Titus as a fool, and he soon picked up on the subtle looks that passed between the three of them with a sharp, narrowed gaze, but other than that he said nothing.

Anan may have flirted with the man, but she went no further, which was why Titus quickly relaxed. Claudius understood the message, and it was clear. The older man knew who Anan belonged to, and that was good enough for Titus. It did not appear as if that was good enough for Cassius, who stood rigid beside Titus brewing with anger.

Titus had grown up in a home overflowing with sisters—he understood all too well the inner workings of women. Claudius was a friend, and Anan was fond of him, but there was nothing else between them, nor would there ever be. Everything about the way Anan looked at Claudius, the way she held herself told him this, that Claudius was not a threat, but it was obvious Cassius did not think so.

Titus let out a drawn, weary sigh. He prepared himself for a long, arduous day because Cassius was going to make an ass out of himself with his jealousy, Titus was sure of it.

Anan felt the weight of Cassius’ dark stare all the way to her toes. He was jealous, dangerously so, and she took a slight step away from Claudius, if only to placate him.

It did not seem to work.

She shot him a sharp look because this was not the first time he’d reacted this way. With the exception of Titus, every time a man came near her, even one of his own soldiers, he became overly possessive. He could not expect her to shut herself away from every man she knew. That was ridiculous.

“Your lovers are quite possessive,” Claudius teased, his voice low so that only she could hear him.

She scowled at him before her gaze snared Olivia. “And so is yours, apparently,” she muttered to Claudius even as her attention remained riveted on her young servant.

“Olivia, we are done here. You may visit the baths now.”

Her maidservant nodded curtly and quickly disappeared inside the villa, but not before she gave Claudius a look that anyone with two eyes would understand. It was a look of longing, of pure, feminine yearning for a man she should not want, and could not have.

“She is your slave,” Claudius said in response to Anan’s statement, as if he was considering her words and now weighing Olivia’s merit as a potential.

Anan bit back a dark frown. Olivia would never be a potential for a man such as Claudius.

“She will be free soon, and I plan to send her off with a substantial dowry.”

He chuckled. “That does not change the fact she is far too young for me.”

Anan’s gaze sharpened on him. “Do not worry, you will hear no argument from me. I agree entirely. But she has favored you for some time, I’d hoped she’d grow out of such foolishness.”

Claudius’ smile was sensual, full of secrets and sin, and she had no doubt if he’d ever smiled at Olivia in such a manner, it was no wonder the girl was so enamored.

“You speak as if this concerns you, and the crush of a girl should not. As I told you, I do not seek a wife. And if I ever were to, your servant is simply far too young and inexperienced for me. But you have my word I shall not seduce her when she leaves your care.” His grin curled higher. “Which I know is what truly concerns you.”

She peered up into his smiling face with narrowed eyes. “You had better not. You know I’d hoped when your youngest returned that he would be amenable to taking a wife, and I’m afraid I still have my eye upon him as an ideal match.”

Claudius sighed, his expression pained. “You are
still
set upon that?” He sighed. “You worry of me but I would not wish Gaius upon one so innocent as your servant either. My youngest is a soldier, and a wanderer at heart. He wants a wife even less than I do and I am certain he will resist me on this.”

“You mean you have not spoken to him yet? I heard word that he was positioned along the border within one of the
centuries
. He’s not even an hour’s ride away.”

She frowned at Claudius who appeared sheepish. And her frown deepened when she gathered the truth from his expression. Of course he’d not spoken to Gaius of his desire to see his son wed. Gaius had joined the Roman army as an act of rebellion, the first of many to come. She’d known Claudius for many years and remembered well how he and his youngest had constantly butted heads like two bulls. She bit back an inward sigh of frustration. She should have known not to wait upon Claudius. Anan would simply have to send word to Gaius himself and invite him to her villa as her guest and then present her proposal.

“I know that look, and I strongly advise against it.”

“Gaius has always taken to me and on his last visit he seemed quite fond of Olivia.”

“Because she is a beautiful girl.” Claudius shrugged. “And my son has always been quite fond of beautiful women.”

The frown that was still etched across her face grew harder. Claudius seemed determined to thwart her plans, but she would have none of it. When Olivia was finally released from her service to Anan, she would go into the arms of her new husband with an abundance of land and coins. Anan was set upon Gaius as that husband, and Claudius’ stalling would not change her desires or alter her plan. “You fear Gaius’ reaction to the offer I’ve made on Olivia’s behalf, don’t you?”

“Of course.” Claudius grinned good-naturedly, seemingly unperturbed by his obvious cowardice. “My son is rebellious and stubborn. He will not be forced into such an arrangement and if he takes it as an arrangement that I am forcing upon him, he will blame me.”

Anan’s face softened with Claudius’ words, hearing what he did not say. A rift between the two men had seen Gaius requesting tours in foreign lands to be rid of his father’s presence, and many years had passed before they’d spoken again. It was because of that, Claudius would not draw the hard line with his son, not ever again.

She understood Claudius’ position, which was why she would simply have to speak with Gaius directly. “Well, if you did not come here to discuss my plans for Gaius and Olivia, then what has brought you here? Not that I do not enjoy your company,” she added with a warm smile.

“I heard word that you visited Quintus.”

Her smiled disappeared.

“I also heard word as to why.”

Anan was frowning outright now as she studied Claudius with narrowed eyes.

“Do not be suspicious. We have been friends many years, since your father died. I sought you out simply to tell you I would loan you whatever you need until you can sell your harvest—”

“Claudius.” She was already shaking her head. “I will not take chari—”

He held up his hand. “It is a loan between friends. I would give it to you as a gift, but I know you’re far too stubborn and full of pride to accept.”

“Claudius,” she tried again.

He shook his head. “Please, or I would be insulted.”

A sigh escaped her. She could not deny the loan was welcome, but she hated being indebted to anyone. It had cost her a great deal of pride to go to Quintus, but she’d eased her mind by telling herself he was family.

“Think of this as a goodwill gesture between future parents within the law if that unburdens your troubled soul,” he teased as if reading her mind, bringing a smile to her face.