The Governor's Man by Jacquie Rogers (best beach reads TXT) 📕

‘Narina, you’re a brave girl. I bet you’re clever too. Clever enough to help me. I promise you won’t get into trouble.’ He really hoped now he hadn’t killed either of the unfortunate coiners. They were probably just doing a job to make ends meet.

‘Mmm, well, I could, I s’pose. I like mysteries and adventures. Are you in a mystery, Mister, or an adventure?’

Both, thought Tiro.

‘Thank you, Narina. What I need is to get to Bo Gwelt and speak to Magistrate Aurelianus urgently. Could you take me there without anyone knowing?’

The girl looked at him scornfully.

‘Course I can. I live here, I know all the secret ways.’

Of course you do, Narina.

The urchin girl and her new friend left, heading cross-country through birch and alder trees along the low Polden ridge to the big house at Bo Gwelt.

Chapter Thirteen

Julia drew in a breath of pleasure as they approached the golden-hued courtyard villa. It faced north across the river Bruella towards the Mendips, overlooking marshland, arable meadows and low scrubby woods. Her sister-in-law Claudia complained the house was old-fashioned and drafty, and lately Marcus had given in and agreed to install a hypocaust system in the west wing. But Bo Gwelt remained Bo Gwelt.

Nevertheless, she was worried by Velvinna’s reports. She had sent a message to her old friend’s house before they left for the Summer Country, but no reply came back. Neither was she happy about leaving her patients at the clinic, although Piso had assured her that he would try not to kill anyone in her absence. Underlying all these lifted a swell of confusion about the return of Quintus. The independent life she had built since Aurelia’s birth was showing cracks. Had she really been content, alone? She pushed doubt aside.

She passed the ornamental pond in the front garden with its red-gold fish flickering in the water, and walked through the house to the sunny garden at the back. Several bee-hives, abuzz, were dotted among the clipped hedges at the end of the garden. Above the loud honk of swans in the valley came the soft hoot of an owl. She found her older brother seated in a high-backed chair, dozing in a pool of sunshine. He was togate as usual, with a woollen shawl over his shoulders She watched as he drowsed in the warmth. Next to Marcus sat a thin olive-skinned man with a long nose, books heaped on his lap.

‘My lady,’ he nodded to her, smiling.

‘Demetrios, how good to see you! How is my brother?’

‘Much the same, although I fear his eyes are deteriorating.’

‘You are still making sage tea for him?’

‘Of course, my child. And I strive constantly to keep your brother away from honey cakes, sweet compotes, and too much bread.’

‘His urine?’

‘Still dark and sweet-smelling, I am afraid.’

‘I may be going blind, but I can hear you clearly, Julia.’ Marcus was awake and smiling at her. She was taken aback at how tired he looked. ‘May I remind you that Demetrios is my employee?’

The Greek laughed. ‘And as your servant, I am surely entitled to worry about your health, Dominus.’

‘No need to pretend respect for my sake, Demetrios, old friend. We both know I am not getting any better. Now let me have a private talk with my sister before my wife appears to organise us all.’

Once the stooped tutor had departed, Julia sat and took Marcus’s wrist to check the pulse. Marcus humoured her until she let his hand drop.

’Now,’ he said, ‘I imagine your sudden desire to visit us means Aurelia has been telling you how awful her life is, and begging you to intervene?’

‘I was worried when I heard about the projected marriage with Lucius Claudius.’

‘Then let me reassure you about my arrangements for Aurelia.’

Some time later Julia had heard all about his recent will bequeathing all his property to his “beloved daughter Aurelia, under the guardianship of her aunt Julia Aureliana until she comes of age”.

Julia was surprised. ‘What does Claudia think of that?’

‘She doesn’t know. She will have some income from the estate, which will then revert to Aurelia and her heirs on Claudia’s death or her departure from this house. I have made my wife many valuable gifts during our marriage. Claudia will not go hungry. And we will never have a child between us now.’

On the subject of Aurelia’s marriage, Marcus put Julia’s mind further at rest. ‘While I am alive, Aurelia will not marry before I think best. That age has not yet arrived.’ They both laughed, picturing the impulsive Aurelia streaking across a meadow with head down low on one of her beloved horses. ‘When I am dead, Julia, you as her guardian will be the best judge of a suitable marriage for her. She will be mistress of Bo Gwelt, and I hope she will have your support until someone she truly loves shares that burden with her. I have made provision for the servants. With your approval, I would like Demetrios to continue as tutor and advisor to her.’

Marcus closed his eyes, his face very pale. Julia stood quietly, but he roused again. ‘One last thing: I am fully aware that Claudia wishes Aurelia to marry her nephew. Lucius Claudius is a troubled and dangerous young man. It is plain to me that his father Claudius Bulbo cannot control his wild fancies and unpleasant acts. I do not envisage Lucius ever making a suitable husband for my daughter.’ His eyelids drooped back down; he said softly, ‘I am tiring, Julia, and can’t spend my remaining energies openly fighting Claudia. Rest assured that Aurelia will not marry Lucius against her will.’

Julia took the chance to mention Velvinna’s fears of discontent among the Durotriges, and her warning about