Page 59 of Ensnaring the Dove
Colombia drew her palla close and stepped out into the courtyard, raising her chin to view the foggy morning. Mist had risen from the nearby burn for the past few dawns, yet it usually burned away by noon.
She set off toward the kitchen then. The sound of voices drifted from the open doorway, where the rest of the household would be finishing up their own ientaculum. She needed to let Claudia know they’d have company for supper. After that, Colombia would help Moira ready a cubiculum for Aquila and his wife.
Aquila.
Aedan’s former master.
Her thoughts turned to the Brigante then. She was tempted to pay him a visit to tell him his former master would be her father’s guest this evening. However, she quickly dismissed the thought with a rueful shake of her head.
It was just an excuse to see him.
Not even a day had passed since she’d discovered he was living in Onnum, and already she longed to visit him again. But Aedan wasn’t going anywhere, and she had much to do today.
Her visit would have to wait.
XXV. GOOD ADVICE
“THIS IS A fine meal … compliments to your cook.” Commander Aquila’s deep voice rumbled across the triclinium.
Inclining her head, Colombia smiled. Indeed, Claudia had done well at such short notice. A spread of sausages, roast grouse, eggs poached in honeyed wine, cheeses, and fresh bread lay upon the table in the center of the space. Wooden recliners, where the diners lounged as they consumed their supper, lined the rectangular table, while Marcus and Moira waited to one side, ewers of wine in hand. “I shall be sure to tell Claudia,” Colombia promised Aquila.
In truth, she’d hardly noticed the food this evening—she was too fascinated by their guests to focus on much else.
Justinian Aquila was one of the most striking, attractive men she’d ever seen. Tall and dark-haired, with penetrating golden eyes, he held himself with supreme confidence. His wife, Fenella, was equally remarkable. Small and lithe, with silky brown hair pinned high, thePictiwoman wore a fine stola, while precious stones sparkled upon her throat and earlobes. She was a beauty indeed, and her midnight-blue eyes were full of sharp intelligence.
And when Fenella had entered the praetorium, Colombia had marked the swell under the folds of her tunic and stola. The woman was with child.
Severus had noted it too—for his mouth had thinned.
“Our larder is getting a bit sparse … but Claudia knows how to make do,” Colombia’s father said then, holding his empty calix for Moira to fill. “We’re all looking forward to the arrival of the next supply convoy at Saturnalia.”
Aquila’s penetrating gaze shifted to Severus, his head inclining. Colombia could see why people called him ‘The Eagle’. It wasn’t just his name ‘Aquila’—but those eyes gave him a predatory look. “Our patrols haven’t been able to recover any of the stolen goods or coin,” he admitted. “Have you had any luck?”
“No … I expected to find some of it scattered across Brigante settlements. But it seems that the ‘Scourge of the North’ aren’t sharing their bounty.” Severus paused then. “At a guess, they’re using it to build their strength.”
Aquila held his gaze. “That’s also my concern,” he replied. “I’ve put more men on the wall at Vindolanda … it pays to be vigilant.”
Colombia glanced across at where Fenella was helping herself to a poached egg. Her expression was composed, yet her gaze was keen. She was listening intently to the conversation.
Shifting her attention to her father, Colombia noted that he’d not once looked Fenella’s way since the meal had begun. Since her and Aquila’s arrival, he hadn’t been rude to the woman. However, he hadn’t been welcoming either.
Colombia’s cheeks warmed, embarrassment flooding over her. Her father didn’t host often, but he seemed to have forgotten his manners.
Severus huffed a sigh then, his focus still upon Aquila. “And that brings us to the reason you’re here, Justin. Our garrisons grow increasingly unruly. What are we going to do about it?”
Aquila winced. “I’ve enforced stricter discipline, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep the men in check until Saturnalia. They work hard and expect to be compensated.”
“Wealldo,” Severus grumbled. “They seem to forget that none of us are taking a wage at present.”
“Have you told them that,pater?”
Severus’s gaze cut to his daughter. “Excuse me?”
Colombia tensed. Over the years, she’d been discouraged from intruding on male conversation, from offering opinions on matters outside a woman’s realm. However, this evening, she couldn’t help herself. “Perhaps the answer at times like this is to talk to your men,” she said softly, aware that Fenella was now watching her, a curve to her lips. “They need to know you’re on their side … and that you understand them. After all, everyone likes to be heard.” Her attention then flicked to Aquila. “If you become too strict, they’ll only grow to resent you.”
“That was good advice you gave during supper.”
Colombia shifted her gaze from where she was watching her father and Aquila play Latrunculi to see that Fenella was smiling at her.