Page 12 of Of Love and Treason
“Wait, don’t leave yet.” She caught his sleeve before he could escape headache-free. “I have one more I want your opinion on—a man’s scent. I think it’s wonderfully attractive with a hint of mystery.” She sorted through the bottles. “It’s perfect for you.”
“Yes.” He settled a shoulder against the wall and scratched the back of his neck. “Attractive and mysteriousdefinitely describes me.”
“Well, I wish you’d tell me how you manage to get ink stains on your shoulder.” Bea straightened, a green vial in hand.
Valens twisted to inspect the short sleeves of his tunic and grinned. “I’m afraid I can’t say. After all, I’m a man of myster—” He choked on the last word as Bea shoved the bottle under his nose.
“That’s...” His eyes watered.
“Here, try some.”
Valens threw his hands up and stepped back. “I think I’ll stick with diluted sandalwood.”
Beatrix snorted. “Diluted sandalwood. I have a gift for perfumes, and you weardilutedsandalwood. You might as well wear chamomile.”
“I like chamomile.”
“So do cranky babies.”
Valens grinned and dropped onto the pink-cushioned couch, hands propped beneath his head.
“You didn’t come home for the midday meal again.” Bea carefully stoppered the bottles and placed them in a wooden box specially made with small compartments to keep the bottles upright.
Yawning, Valens pinched the bridge of his nose. “Haldas kept us working through it. We were backed up on contracts.”
“Because of the ban?”
He nodded. “Everyone’s rushing to marry before tomorrow.”
“Noteveryone.” Bea sent him a pointed look.
He sighed.
“I’ve made you too comfortable here.” She quirked a brow in thought and in the same breath asked, “What would you like for dinner tomorrow?”
“We’re eating at Marius and Martha’s before the gathering, remember?”
“Oh yes.” Bea tucked a curl behind one ear and sent a sideways glance toward Valens. “Will Hannah be there?”
Valens groaned and raked his hands through his hair. “Auntie, I’ve told you: Judith and Pennia and Hannah and all the rest were—are—lovely. I just—they’re not what I’m looking for.”
“Whatareyou looking for?” She dropped on the couch opposite him. “I can help you find her.”
“I don’t know.” He pushed to his feet. “But when I do, you’ll be the first to know.” He planted a kiss on her cheek. “Good night.”
Later, Valens lay on his bed in the dark, hands locked behind his head. This “last” wedding had disquieted him. Banning marriage to prevent a way out of a military draft was one thing. But Valens felt the societal repercussions would be much deeper. He flipped on his side. Marriage ban or not, soldiers would still take lovers, and the lovers would still bear children and be supported by the soldiers—so long as they stayed faithful and alive. But lovers of dead soldiers were not awarded widows’ status and rights to own property or businesses.An unmarried woman with children and no income had roughly one option for employment. The thought sickened him.
Valens rolled to his back again and ran his hands over his face. He wasn’t sure why the ban bothered him so much. There was nothing he could do about it. He wasn’t an adviser or a senator or anyone whose opinion the emperor would respect. He sat at a desk and scribbled out contracts and wills and deeds for property sales. He was a nobody.
Unbidden, the image of the young woman from the market sprang into his mind again—clearer this time. Dark waves of hair peeking out from under that bright red-orange palla draped over her head and shoulders. The vibrant color set off her skin’s warm tones and hid everything but full lips quirked into a playful grin. Edict or not, blindness alone was enough to ban her from marriage. What would happen to a girl like that? His heart twisted, and he prayed for her again. The ban would not bring good, but it would not last forever. And it could be worse.
At least he didn’t have someone he wanted to marry.
IV
PAULINA WAS TALKING DOWNa protesting Epimandos when Iris entered the bakery through the back door. The warmth of the proofing ovens instantly dissipated the early morning chill. The air inside billowed with aromatic spices and yeast from the dough Epimandos had already mixed.
“It can’t be helped, Epimandos. You’ll have to greet the customers.” Paulina’s tone meant business. Iris hung her palla on a peg by the door and tied an apron around her waist. “I don’t care if you don’t like people. Do you like having a roof over your head? Food in your belly?”
