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not.Slowly he turned, as if he had known all along that she was there, watching him. Perhaps he had.
    Mauritius smiled, revealing the whitest teeth she had ever seen. His dark eyes twinkled with a delight that appeared close to amusement, and he dipped his head in a slight bow.
    “Captain Mauritius, at your service.” He chuckled. “And who might you be, lovely lady?”
    Valeria could not speak. His eyes! Valeria had never seen any quite like them. It was as though he could see inside her soul. And his voice! Joy resounded in his words, as smooth and warm as honey, yet authoritative, as she would have expected from a man in his position. If she had thought he was attractive from a distance, he was more so now that he faced her with his square jaw and chiseled features, his dark curls moving slightly in the breeze. The golden cross that hung from a heavy chain around his neck sparkled in the sunlight.
    “I asked your name,” he repeated softly.
    Still Valeria could not utter a single word.
    “Please, do not be afraid,” he coaxed, holding out his hand.
    She offered her trembling hand in return. Her mouth felt dry, and she wondered if she would be able to speak. She cleared her throat.
    “I … am … Valeria. I am delighted to meet you.”
    “And so am I … delighted to meet you.” His smile seemed warmer now, more genuine, as he stepped closer, lifting her hand to his lips for a kiss of greeting and respect. His kiss produced the same strange sensation she had felt when Galerius kissed it, only this time it was not commingled with revulsion.
    “I heard Emperor Diocletian had a beautiful daughter,” he said, “but I never imagined I would have the honor of meeting her.”
    “How did you hear of me?”
    “Since the day your ship arrived in Egypt, is there anyone who has not heard of the young woman with eyes the color of turquoise and hair as golden red as the mane of a lion?” He reached up and pulled a sprig of boxwood from her hair and handed it to her.
    “Who told you about me?” She twirled the evergreen between two fingers on her free hand.
    “Nanu.”
    Valeria smiled. “Ah, yes.”
    “But she did not tell me you were so incredibly lovely that you would take my breath away when I gazed upon your face.”
    Valeria’s cheeks warmed at the compliment, and she quickly withdrew her hand when she realized she had allowed it to linger a moment too long.
    The young couple stared at one another, wordless. At last, uncomfortable in the silence, Valeria spoke.
    “I suppose I had better go inside and report to my tutor. He is probably waiting for me.”
    “But we have only just met.” Mauritius’ dark eyes clouded with disappointment, and the tone of his voice took on a hint of pleading. “Please stay.”
    “I suppose I could … for a moment more,” she agreed with a smile.
    His eyes were dancing again, but he suddenly appeared shy, as if he were searching for the right words. Finally he asked, “Do you like Egypt?”
    “More than any place I have ever visited. But, really, I must go now. My tutor will be searching for me.” Mauritius was far too handsome and outspoken for her to feel comfortable in his presence without a chaperone. She felt panicked in her need to escape from him, yet she could not pull herself away.
    “You must not keep your tutor waiting.” He smiled as he dipped his head in farewell. “I shall look forward to seeing you again soon—with your permission, of course.”
    “But you are leaving for Gaul,” she said, a hint of desperation in her voice.
    “My troops do not even know that yet. How is it that you are privy to such information?” He grinned. “Were you hiding in the bushes when the general presented our orders?”
    Valeria knew she was caught but could think of nothing to say in her defense. Instead, she turned on her heel and took a slight step away from the handsome soldier with the laughing eyes. To her surprise he reached for her and took her hand.
    “I will