Page 51

I met her eyes in the mirror. “Would you have bid for her? Kyra?”

Klaudia blushed, something I had never seen before. “Is that strange to you? Does the idea bother you?”

I thought for a moment. “Kyra was so frightened about the bidding, about what she would have to do. I think she would have welcomed being with you instead of one of the men. I think you would have—you would have understood her and treated her kindly.”

She nodded. “I would have, but I’m not sure that would have made it right. Seb and I talked a lot about the tirae bidding during that visit. I had always wanted to see it, to see Corlivo. I’m embarrassed now to admit how enchanting I found it, after so many years of—”

“Of what?”

“Of pretending I didn’t want what I actually wanted. The freedom of it, a chance to, for just a few days, live the way I wish I could live. And, by the gods, you’re all so beautiful. And right there for the taking for anyone willing to lay down enough gold. The wine, the music, the beautiful surroundings, the dinners. It’s all designed to make us feel sophisticated and clever.”

“But you don’t think that way now?”

“The more I’ve thought about it, the more I think it’s just a fancy wrapping around a very old, very basic transaction. Freedom for me, but bondage for others. How can I be comfortable with that, when I know what it’s like to be suffocated by what the world wants me to be?” She tugged at the blue dress that fitted her so uncomfortably that it might have been a beetle’s carapace.

I studied my own reflection. “We were raised to think we were fortunate, that we had an important and glamorous future ahead of us. But then the time came, and I didn’t feel so fortunate.”

Klaudia helped me put on the green silk and pin up my hair. She clipped the diamonds to my ears.

“I don’t want to wear those. I draw too much attention as it is.”

She smiled. “Oh, wear them. They’re pretty. And nothing will happen to you here in Seb’s house.” She gave me a little hug.

SEBASTIANUS’S COUSIN ENTERED the atrium with his arms outstretched. “So, we finally see the villa. Cousin, I thought this day would never come.”

The men embraced.

“Welcome. You honor me with your visit.” Sebastianus cut a striking figure in a crisp white toga that set off his dark hair and bronzed skin.

“My wife, Sophia, and our three daughters: Agatha, Helena, Maria.” Georgios urged the ladies forward.

They all tossed their cloaks to the silent coachman who had accompanied them, and he departed, barely able to see over the top of the pile he carried.

The three daughters were copies of the mother, with dark brown eyes, thick black hair, and pale faces with high cheekbones and pointed chins. Their mother was shorter and more curvaceous than her girls, but she had the same smooth skin. A pair of large, rough-cut rubies dangled from her ears. All four of them wore silk stolae with high necks and long sleeves.

I was aware of the low drape and thin straps of my dress and silently cursed Sebastianus for not listening to Klaudia’s advice.

Sebastianus bowed. “I hope your journey to Panpirion was easy, and that you find our city pleasing.”

“Certainly, Your Grace,” Sophia replied. “Our journey was as painless as such travel can be. We’re used to our comforts, of course, but we’ll make do here in the city.”

“Sophia, dear, this is Anna, the scholar I mentioned the other day,” Georgios said.

The woman’s sharp eyes lingered on my face, on my bare neck and shoulders. “My husband tells me you’re from Hierion. I know a great many people there. Who is your mother?”

“It’s a great pleasure to meet you, ma’am. Her name is Caprenia Silvana.”

She sniffed. “I do not know her. Where is your home?”

“We are outside the city, near the river.”

She looked around the atrium. “And you’ve been sent here by yourself, with no chaperone?”

Klaudia said quickly, “My mother knows Caprenia well, and she has vouched for the character of Cassius, the tutor, as well as the arrangements here. There’s a housekeeper who serves as a chaperone.”

“People here do things differently, I suppose,” Sophia said.

“Comitissa,” Georgios said, “we had no idea you’d be here tonight. We’re honored.” He bowed to Klaudia, and his wife dipped a shallow curtsy.