Marius
rested outside his master’s house, thinking about how much had changed since he
was a child. His attention was suddenly diverted as trilling laughter floated
down the road. He raised his head to see who was laughing so joyously and his
breath caught in his chest as he sighted Antonia, the love of his life. She was
talking with a friend who failed to compare to Antonia’s beauty. Today, her
willowy silhouette was clad in a creamy stola
with crimson borders. Her dainty feet peeked out from beneath and he could see
she wore a new pair of soleae with beaded decorations. Around her
graceful neck hung the lunula her father had given her years ago, her
most cherished possession. Her long luscious brown hair fell in gentle waves
down her back and waved gently in the breeze. Her arms jingled with her many
golden bracelets as she enthusiastically gestured to her friend and wished her
farewell. Antonia turned eyes as grey as a stormy sea to Marius and smiled for
she knew that he wished to speak to her—so she went to him, swaying her hips
gently as she approached.
Antonia could see why all the slave girls
brandished their attention on Marius. At well over 6 feet in height, he was a
commanding presence. His body was tan and well muscled from all his hard labor
but his face was that of a god: it was a square face with a strong jaw and
patrician nose, thin lips that curved into a ready smile and eyes so green they
were almost black. Although his clothing was cut from the cheapest cloth and
his feet were bound in untanned leather sandals, he looked like nobility.
Antonia smiled and thought Oh, how I love this man!
They spoke quickly for they knew that if anyone
saw them, Antonia would be in trouble, as would he. They arranged a time to
meet for a tryst, and with the briefest and lightest of kisses, departed. They
would await the cover of darkness before they could meet again and truly enjoy
each other’s company.
