“For tribune of the plebs.”
“That was today?”
She tried to keep her face neutral as she nodded. “I was just wondering…”
“Politics are of no concern to a lady. Especially not aplebeianelection,” Mother said.
“They are of concern when my husband is a candidate,” Crispina snapped.
“Theex-husband who threw you out.” Mother shot her a glance dripping with disapproval.
“He didn’t throw me out.” Not literally, at least. “We decided to separate.”
“Do you think he may take you back if he wins?” Mother asked. “I suppose he’ll need a wife to host dinners for his political connections and such. Frankly, I think remaining unmarried for the rest of your days would be better than marriage to afreedman.” She spat the word. “I never understood why your father even considered his proposal.”
Father reached for another helping of oysters. “He made the point that it could be beneficial to have a connection among the plebeians. They grow more influential each year, after all.” He glanced at Crispina. “Hopefully he will see the benefit of a connection with our family and agree to take you back. It’s not as if you can expect a better match.”
Crispina focused on cutting her food into tiny pieces. She wouldn’t allow herself to hope that Aelius might want her back. But if he did, what if he thought like her parents and merely wanted a hostess with a prestigious name?
That was our arrangement from the start,she reminded herself. She had no right to hope for more.
Chapter 33
Aletter from Aelius arrived the next morning. Crispina ripped it open and read it with shaking hands.
In case you haven’t heard, I’ve won,he wrote.Mama is planning a banquet to start at sundown. It would be helpful if you arrive in advance to assist with the preparations. Max will like to see you.
Crispina clutched the letter to her chest and leaned against the wall. A smile spread over her face, her first in so long. He’d done it. Aelius was to be a tribune, representing the people and working to improve their lives.
Pride swelled inside her, but she had no right to be proud of him. This wasn’t her accomplishment.
Father quickly gave permission for her to attend the dinner party, and instructed her to grovel in apology for whatever she’d done to cause their separation. Crispina nodded meekly, then returned to her room to get ready.
She laid out several dresses on her bed, debating which to wear. She usually didn’t spend much time thinking about her clothing, but today was important. She’d be representing Aelius at his first official engagement as an elected tribune.
After deliberation, she pushed aside her finest dresses of silk and selected a modest stola of crimson-dyed linen. The stola, a pleated, sleeveless robe layered over a tunic, could only be worn by married women. Putting it on gave her a pang of regret: for how much longer would she be able to wear this? But for tonight, at least, she was still a wife, and she was determined to look the part.
Trepidation built as she rode in the litter to Aelius’s house. She ran through the things she wanted to say to him and prepared herself for the pain that seeing him again would cause. Would he be awash with joy after his victory, or would he be cold and distant with her?
No matter his mood, she was not going to tell him what she had done with Verus. Though she desperately wanted his forgiveness, she didn’t deserve it just because she’d gotten lucky. If she told him, he might feel beholden to her, and she didn’t want him to take her back out of gratitude or for the perceived repayment of a debt. She would keep silent in penance for her original betrayal.
A nervous shiver ran through her as she crossed the threshold of the house that had once been her home. In the atrium, Cassandra and Taurus were twining garlands of flowers around the columns, Taurus balancing carefully on a ladder and Cassandra handing the garlands up to him. They greeted her with respectful nods.
Crispina approached them. “I need to thank you again, Taurus,” she said. “The information you gave me led directly to Aelius’s victory.”
Taurus dipped his head. “I’m happy to have helped, mistress.”
Cassandra smiled. “I’m so glad we could repay at least some of what you have done for us.”
Crispina let them get back to their garland-hanging and waited like a guest for someone to come greet her. Perhaps Aelius would send Gaia to meet her. Perhaps he wanted to avoid seeing her for as long as possible.
But a few breaths later, her heart leaped at the sight of the tall, lean figure who entered the atrium. He wore a new tunic of fine linen dyed a deep blue. Crispina recognized the fabric; Gaia had been weaving it around the time she left. The silver wristband Aelius wore to cover his brand shone as if it had been freshly polished.
He stopped a few paces from her and inclined his head. “Crispina. Thank you for coming.” His voice was clipped, formal.
“I would not have missed it.” She cleared her throat, which had suddenly gone dry. “Congratulations on your victory. It is well-deserved.”
“Thank you.”
