Page 58 of Ensnaring the Dove
Thoughts of Colombia made it hard to focus.
Once again, seeing her had unsettled him. He wondered then if he’d been wise to settle down in Onnum. If he’d chosen another of the many forts that dotted the Wall, he’d have found it easier to move on. To let his longing for the smoke-eyed Roman beauty go.
Colombia’s free to wed whomever she chooses now … she might choose me.
The thought brought him up short.
Cursing under his breath, Aedan tossed his sander to one side.
The Reaper take him, what was he thinking? He was a Brigante living in a Roman fort, entertaining the thought of asking for the hand of Commander Juventus’s daughter.
His mood soured then. Out in the wilderness, there had been no barriers between him and Colombia—but inside the walls of Onnum, she was as untouchable as the stars.
Once again, the Caesars were showing him his place.
“Colombia, we’re having guests for supper this eve … can you ensure Claudia prepares something special?”
Glancing up from where she was dipping a piece of salty bread in a drizzle of olive oil—for they were rationing it these days—Colombia met her father’s eye. They sat in the triclinium, eating ientaculum—the first meal of the day.
Outside, a misty grey dawn was breaking. The mornings had gotten chilly of late, yet the hypocaust system ensured these rooms remained warm.
“Of course,” she murmured. If they were having guests for vesperna, they would have to put on something a little more elaborate than the usual soup. “I’ll see to it. Will they be staying overnight?”
Severus nodded before he smiled. “You’ve done a fine job of managing my household since your arrival, Colombia,” he admitted after a brief pause. “I think Marcus is starting to feel redundant.”
Colombia huffed a laugh. “Hardly.” The house steward was always bustling around the praetorium, organizing everyone. However, he liked it when Colombia planned meals with the cook. She inclined her head then. “Whom are we hosting?”
“The fort commander of Vindolanda … Justinian Aquila … and his wife.”
Colombia straightened up on the recliner she’d been lying on. “The Eagle is coming here?”
Her father’s smile turned rueful. “Ah, so you’ve heard about him then?”
“There are few who haven’t, I’d wager.”
“You would have heard too that he married one of thePicti.”
Colombia nodded. “Have you met her?”
“No … but today should remedy that.” Severus’s mouth pursed then, making it clear he wasn’t looking forward to being introduced to the woman.
Colombia watched him steadily. “Has his choice of wife made him unpopular?”
Her father pulled a face. “In some quarters … although since Hadrian gave his blessing for this union, they can’t grumble too loudly.”
Colombia inclined her head. "Why is Aquila paying us a visit?”
Severus reached for a cup of milk and drained the dregs. “They’ve been having trouble amongst the garrison at Vindolanda too. Aquila and I need to find a way to raise morale before the next pay wagons arrive.”
“The men do seem … restless,” Colombia admitted, her brow furrowing. “Perhaps they believe you’re deliberately withholding their wages.”
“Well, I’m not.” Her father’s expression tightened. “I thought yesterday’s festivities might have picked up their spirits … especially since we made a special effort with the feast … but there was a brawl last night. Two men are dead, and five are in thevaletudinarium… the medics are doing their best to tend them, but one’s not likely to make it.” He muttered a curse under his breath then. “The last thing I need is my men turning on each other.”
Emerging from the triclinium, Colombia watched her father’s broad-shouldered figure disappear through the door to the atrium. He would be heading for the principia building next door, where he met every morning with his officers. No doubt, they’d be discussing the continued unrest within the fort. As always, his stride was long and purposeful, although he’d departed with a scowl upon his face.
Colombia understood his dark mood.
Although she usually enjoyed her strolls around the compound and the vicus beyond, she’d become uneasy of late. A shadow had fallen over Onnum, and it showed no sign of lifting.