was — had not happened here. But Marcus brushed aside such trivial complaints.
‘It cannot be as difficult as you pretend, old friend. She was seen this morning by lots of witnesses — according to the carriage-driver, anyway — and the carriage did not stop until it reached the city-gate. So she was either seized immediately before she left Corinium, or smuggled from the carriage as soon as it reached here. As long as you find her in a day or two — before Publius has to leave — I’m sure you’ll find the bridegroom generous in his gratitude.’
I felt my throat go dry. Not only was I commanded to find the missing bride, but I was expected to do so in just ‘a day or two’. However, I was not in a position to refuse so I said, resignedly, ‘Very well, Excellence. I have no hopes of this, but — as ever — I am at your command. If you wish me to, I’ll go straight in and speak to Publius.’ At least it would give my poor numb feet a rest, I thought. My legs were almost dead with kneeling by this time. I started to get out.
Marcus’s firm grasp on my arm prevented me. ‘But of course you can’t do that. The populace would see. This whole enquiry will have to be discreet.’
‘So I’ll have to wait until the games are over, Excellence? Obviously I must speak to Publius and I thought you wanted me to make a start at once?’
‘Of course I do.’ The baton was tapping on the leg again. ‘I suppose I can tell you what Publius told me — that might give you somewhere to begin…’ He broke off as his words were drowned out by another cheer. ‘Though I cannot be long. The fights are underway, and my absence will be noted, if I linger here.’
I was as keen to move as he was. ‘What did Publius say?’
Marcus was distracted — it was evident that his mind was already on the games — but he did his best. ‘When he got the message, he went outside the gate — the north one, which links up with the east road to Londinium — and met the carriage-driver who was waiting there and who, of course, had sent the messenger.’
I nodded to show that I had understood.
‘The fellow was almost inarticulate with fear, but he claims he saw the Vestal into the coach himself and did not know that she was missing till he drew up outside the town. It took him only minutes to secure the horse, he says, but when he went to help her down he found that she was gone — together with her attendant and her dowry box. Of course he sent for Publius at once and also contacted the woman’s family — but they sent a slave to say that she was not with them. They were not expecting her until the feast was finished here.’
‘After Publius had presented her in public as his prospective bride?’
‘Exactly. The father of the family was here in Glevum, at the rites himself, but the rest of the household had remained at home and was preparing for the wedding later on today — but they had heard nothing from the Vestal.’
‘Or from her kidnappers? One might have expected a ransom note by now.’
‘That is what worried Publius most of all. He fears it may have been a bandit robbery, he said.’
I knew what that implied. The penalty for robbery on the public road is crucifixion, ruthlessly applied, so victims of banditry are usually found dead — thus ensuring that they cannot testify. ‘So the bride may be in danger if he does not find her soon?’
‘Exactly. But where was Publius to look? He does not know the town. He found the paterfamilias — who was among the official guests of course and was walking to the games — and alerted him, and they came to find me quietly and ask me what I thought.’ He looked me in the eye. ‘I spoke most highly of your abilities, and obviously since Publius is a guest of mine…’
I said nothing and went on saying it.
He made a helpless little gesture with his hands. ‘You know, of course, that he’s been very generous? Not only the sacrificial bull and birthday games, but he’s promising to fund another fountain and some drains. And he gave me Fiscus as a gift. Under the circumstances…’ He gave my arm a pat. ‘I rely on you, Libertus.’ And to my astonishment, he pulled the drapes aside and gestured to Fiscus to assist him down.
I scrambled after him, saying in an urgent whisper, ‘But, Excellence. What am I to do? You say I cannot speak to Publius.’
‘Start with the driver of the coach, perhaps?’ he hissed, impatiently.
‘Do you know where I can find him, Excellence? Or what he looks like? If he is at the gate, it won’t be easy even to discover which carriage-man it was, without asking questions…’
Marcus paused to look at me at last, and shook his head. ‘That won’t be necessary. I believe that Publius had him seized and escorted back to the Vestal’s family home, where he is no doubt under lock and key. I am not entirely certain where the villa is, but I am sure that you can get directions to the place.’
‘Without attracting more suspicion?’ I enquired, trying to restore some life into my feet by stamping them discreetly on the ground. ‘If Publius had a driver arrested at the gates, that will have given rise to public comment as it is — without my drawing more attention to the incident and directing gossip towards the woman’s home.’
Fiscus, who had withdrawn to stand discreetly to one side, came forward with a bow. ‘Masters, forgive me, I could not help but overhear. It is possible that I could assist the citizen. I have some notion of where the family live — my previous owner called upon them yesterday.’
It was impertinent for a slave to interrupt but Marcus offered no rebuke. His face cleared instantly. ‘A good suggestion, Fiscus. You’ll attend this citizen and show him where to go — treat him as your master till I instruct you otherwise. In the meantime, I must hurry to the games.’ He motioned to his other pages, a pair of matching blond boys, who were waiting by the wall, and went to turn away.
I prevented him from leaving by falling on one knee so that he was obliged to present me with his ring to kiss. ‘And my own family, Excellence?’ I murmured. ‘Will you send them word? They will think I’ve been arrested if I do not return — they saw me detained by the sentry at the gate.’
A look of irritation flashed across his face — the roar from the amphitheatre was louder all the time and he was clearly anxious to be gone — but he said readily enough, ‘I’ll send one of my pages to let them know you’re safe — as soon as they have escorted me into the games.’ He motioned me to rise. ‘Report to me at my country house, when you get back, and let me know what you have managed to find out. Perhaps tomorrow. I may be late tonight. I am invited to a birthday feast with Publius’s family and I’ve not heard that it’s cancelled.’
I got up clumsily. The feeling was coming back into my lower legs, though my foot was still inclined to buckle under me. ‘It may take me a little time to reach the house in any case,’ I said. ‘It is some way to walk.’
Marcus, who never parted willingly with cash, reached into the purse he carried at his waist and seemed about to fetch some money out. Then his face cleared, and he shook his head. ‘You can have this litter to take you over there — I have reserved if for my personal use this afternoon. I will send the bearers out to you — I gave them permission to watch the games a while — and when you get to the villa you can send them back to me.’
‘And when I have finished there? How shall I get home?’
He waved a lofty hand. ‘Doubtless the bride’s household have a wagon you could use. You may tell them that I suggested it. Now, be off with you, or it will be too late — for you to ask questions, and for me to see the fights.’
And this time, accompanied by his slaves, he disappeared into the games. A moment later I heard the general cheer that welcomed his appearance in the official box. It was not until this moment that it occurred to me that I had not remembered to ask about the names of the family that I was intending to approach. Fiscus, when I asked him, was no help at all — on his visit to the house he had been whisked off to the back and entertained with watered wine and cheese in the servant’s sleeping room.
‘They talked about the master and mistress, that was all,’ he said. ‘They didn’t mention names.’ An idea so obvious that I should have thought of it.
I aimed a frustrated kick towards the mounting block, but my dead leg almost crumpled under me.
There was an ironic jeering from behind us and I turned to see a little crowd of urchins, pie-sellers and curious spectators who had clearly stopped to watch the unlikely spectacle of a pair of citizens crammed into a litter that was not going anywhere. So much for Marcus’s idea of being secretive!
With such dignity as I could muster I got into the chair, and gestured to Fiscus to find the carriers. After a moment, he came back with them. They were visibly disappointed at being forced to leave, but — like me — they could hardly disobey an order from Marcus Septimus, and with very little grumbling they lifted me aloft.
Fiscus had to trot beside the chair, of course, and give the bearers directions where to go, but he was athletic and they were young and strong so it was a good deal quicker than my walking to the place, especially when one leg refused to work. I lay back on the cushions and enjoyed the ride.
