Avitus waved a dismissive hand. “A transition of power always brings some tension.”
“You worry too much,” Silvanus murmured into his wine goblet.
“Worrying is at least two-thirds of a governor’s job,” Avitus said with a smile, and the conversation turned to other things.
Chapter 6
Aweekandahalfafter Volusia’s shopping excursion with Max, a suitable day for their riding tour finally arrived. Volusia had taken a few days to make sure the household was arranged as she liked it. Then, there had been a stretch of rainy weather, but this morning finally dawned clear and bright. Max told her to come fetch him whenever she was ready to leave.
First, she had to tell Avitus where she was going. He was conducting business in his study at home this morning. As she approached the closed door, raised voices echoed from within. She paused, not wanting to interrupt at a bad moment.
Her husband was speaking loudly and forcefully. “…don’t care if that’s the way you’ve been managing things, we must go about things properly.”
She recognized the stern, clipped voice of Gaius Galerius Petronax, the legion’s commander. “I’m sure if you spend some more time with the financial records, you’ll see how my prior procedures can benefit you.”
Volusia didn’t want to interrupt, but she also didn’t want to eavesdrop. She had no idea what the men could be discussing, but it seemed to be of a sensitive nature, involving money. She tapped gently on the door. “Avitus?”
“Come in, Volusia.”
She pushed open the door. Petronax was on his feet, as if he’d been pacing, and Avitus sat at his desk with his fist clenched atop a stack of tablets. Petronax gave her a stiff nod, but did not smile or offer her a greeting.
“Forgive me, I did not mean to interrupt,” she said.
Avitus unclenched his hand. “You’re not. Petronax was just leaving.”
The commander’s shoulders tensed, but he turned on his heel and pushed past Volusia through the door.
Volusia watched him go. Was it wise to dismiss the province’s second in command like a chastised lackey?
She shook the thought from her mind. Avitus had matters well in hand, no doubt.
“Did you need something?” her husband asked.
“I just wanted to tell you I’m about to go riding. I've asked one of the, er, household to escort me around the countryside.” She carefully avoided mentioning that her escort was a legionary, given Avitus’s earlier warning. Max was, she reasoned, technically a part of their household for the duration of his guard detail. “I’ll be home well in time for dinner.”Though I doubt you’ll notice if I’m not there.
He nodded. “Very well. Enjoy the day.” He bent his head to focus on the tablets in front of him, and she left the room.
She went to her room, where Iris was folding some clothes. “Could you find my traveling cloak?”
Iris went to a trunk and rifled through it, then pulled out a cloak. “Going somewhere?”
“Riding,” Volusia said. “With Max—the legionary. You know, the one who’s always at the front door.”
Iris’s blue eyes locked onto Volusia’s face. “That big one who took you shopping?”
Volusia nodded.
“You like him, don’t you? You should be careful, mistress. These soldiers, they might have pretty faces, but they’re all just big dumb killers. And somehow that one seems dumber than most.”
“Max isn’t like that. I knew him before I got married. We were…friends.” She blushed. They had been more than friends by the end.
“Hmph,” Iris said. “I still think you should watch out. I know it’s fashionable for married ladies to have their fun, but I think you can do better than asoldier.” Her voice dripped with disdain.
“I don’t want to havefunwith him,” Volusia insisted. “I just enjoy his company, and he’s offered to take me riding. My cloak, if you please.” She took the cloak from Iris. “I’ll be back before dinner.”
“Very well, mistress.”
Volusia left her bedroom and went to the kitchens to pack a small bag full of bread, cheese, and a wineskin. She wasn’t sure how long they’d be riding, and she didn’t want either of them to go hungry.
