Page 82 of Of Love and Treason
“Well,stop.” Delphine pulled away from Cato with a look of disgust. “Honestly, what’s wrong with you two?” She crossed her arms. They all sobered.
“I’m sorry to bring this trouble on you all.” Valens sighed, raking his hands through his hair. “I didn’t know where else to go.”
“You need to make more friends.”
“All right.” Delphine interrupted and wrangled them back to the matter at hand. “Cato, you see about food for the Tiber shantytown. Val, if you’ll write those notes for the widows, I’ll get this other message on its way.”
XXXVI
IRIS WIGGLED A BLUE GLASS PERFUME BOTTLEinto the already-full box and tucked barley straw around it. Helping Beatrix pack had taken longer than she’d anticipated. For all her appearances as a free spirit, Beatrix was incredibly meticulous—and thorough. Iris had been hoping to help her carry a few things back to the Calogarus villa, not pack the entire apartment. It seemed Beatrix had no intention of leaving her home quickly or unencumbered.
“Is that the last of them?” Beatrix swirled into the room, salt-and-pepper curls sprouting wildly above her ears.
Iris brushed her hands together and stood. “I think so. Is that it?”
Beatrix turned and peered through the window. “Marius said he would send the boys and a cart after curfew to help move the boxes.” Her brown eyes shimmered as she looked at Iris. “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done this without you.” She lifted a hand and traced one of the bright flowers painted on the walls, glowing in the evening’s fading golden light. Her tone went wistful with memory. “Lucan and I lived our whole lives together here. We were so happy.” She stopped suddenly and picked up the crate of perfumes. Iris followed as she stacked it near the door with the others.
“You should probably get home before it gets dark.”
Iris hesitated. She’d offered to help not because she’d particularly wanted to pack boxes, but because it was Pater’s night to sleep at thecarcer and she had no desire to be in the apartment alone. She tried to keep her tone unaffected as she told Beatrix so.
“Good. We can visit longer then. I’m sure Martha’s boys won’t mind walking you home later.” Beatrix set about finding them something to eat while they waited.
Dusk had fallen when Abachum and Audifax knocked on the door and they all began moving everything but the furniture onto a cart. When they reached the Calogarus villa, Abachum and Audifax pulled the cart around to a larger gate Iris hadn’t seen before. It led directly into the courtyard, where Valentine met them, wrapped in a hooded cloak.
“I’m glad you’ve made it back safely.” He kissed Beatrix’s cheek and smiled at Iris. He had a satchel looped across his chest.
“Are you leaving?” Beatrix asked.
He nodded. “Just for a bit.”
“Would you walk Iris home?”
Iris shook her head in protest. “You shouldn’t leave—”
“I’d be glad to.”
“Good.” Beatrix smiled.
Had this been the woman’s plan all along? Surely not. Before Iris could voice another objection to Valentine being on the streets, Beatrix smothered her in a hug.
“Thank you, dear. You’ve been such a help.”
Abachum closed the cart gate behind them as Iris followed Valentine into the alley.
He tugged the hood of his cloak over his head.
“Isn’t it dangerous for you to be out?” She hurried to catch up.
Valentine paused at the mouth of the street, looking both ways before emerging. “It’s probably more dangerous foryouto be seen with me.” He half turned back. “Perhaps Abachum or Audifax should bring you home.”
“You have a hood.” Her protest came in a rush. “We’ll be fine, so long as you’re not recognized.”
Valentine gave a single nod.
“I thought you were in hiding. What are you doing, leaving the house at this hour?”
He stepped onto the street and headed in the direction of the Markets of Trajan. “Things.” He slanted her a mysterious look.
