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meant she became the empress of the civilized world. The chances of you surviving more than a few years in the cesspool of the imperial court are remote. Titus would kill you, or some other ambitious woman would do it to get her chance at being Empress.
    ‘And besides, I would rather you marry beneath you and be happy. But your mother doesn’t think that way. She has always been cosy with Titus. They knew each other at Nero’s court. She has hinted to me on more than one occasion that it was she who convinced Titus to help murder Britannicus for Nero.’ He paused for a moment in his monologue to shudder.
    Anniana didn’t know what to say. She knew the depths her mother had sunk in many areas of her life, but to have arranged for the murder of a fifteen year old boy? That seemed beyond even her. But if she had boasted of it, then it must be true.
    ‘It was because of her connections with Nero and his wild crowd, and Nero’s mother Agrippina Minor, that I was forced into giving away my rights to my daughters in the marriage contract. At the time , I was in awe of your mother’s youth and beauty, her status and connections. I was a greedy and ambitious middle-aged man being offered an opportunity I never expected to be mine. I was no one special back then. My military service was uninspiring, and my place in the senate was only mine because of my family. Until Vespasian, I was considered lack-lustre and forgettable. So, I admit that I was not unduly concerned about the possible loss of daughters back then, as long as my sons remained within my paterfamilias. After all, daughters go to husbands, eventually.
    ‘But that was before you were born, my darling girl. You changed everything. For you, I have been willing to put up with much, to keep Salvia from divorcing me, and taking you away from me. I think she has stayed this long because Vespasian favoured me and despised her. But with him dead, and Titus in power, any political influence I had is now gone.
    ‘But I will not allow my situation to destroy you. Do you remember Severus, the young man I introduced you to last year?’
    ‘Yes, of course. I liked him very much. He made me laugh and told me I was pretty.’ She smiled at the memory. Having had little to do with eligible young bachelors, secluded as she was, meeting the short, young patrician had been a nerve-racking occasion. But with a smile that dwarfed his face, a ready wit, and obvious admiration for her, she was easily put at ease. And, though she stood at least a hand’s width taller than he, coming as he did from the Campania district where people were naturally shorter than their northern neighbours, she felt comfortable with him.
    ‘He asked to marry you at that time, but I put him off because I felt you were still so young. And, to be quite frank, I didn’t want to lose you. If you didn’t marry someone from Rome, how would I ever see you? But, it would seem my selfishness has yet again led to our current disaster. But it is a disaster that can be mitigated, if we’re quick and discrete.’ 
    His next question seemed to be a total about turn. ‘Do you remember Vali, my assistant?’
    ‘Of course.’ Anniana’s heart fluttered in her chest like a cloud of butterflies. She felt her cheeks warm in a blush. Remember Vali? How could she forget that handsome young man her childish heart had adored? But what had he to do with all this? Her mother had sold him to that awful friend of hers years ago. And she’d never heard of him again.
    ‘I found him, bought him and freed him. In return, he has agreed to take you, in secret, to Severus in Pompeii, so you can complete the marriage contract immediately. The written part of the bond is done. You need only present yourself to your new husband for the formalities to be complete. Once that is done, your mother will have no power over you, if and when she leaves me.’
    ‘Vali will take me south? When? When will this happen?’ She was caught between