The road home was a blur, and Gwyna was reading a letter in the triclinium when I walked in the door. “What happened? Are you hurt?” “No. That’s Faro’s blood.” She needed to hear it, and hear it in full. “That bitch. That unholy bitch. So we were just there for her ‘amusement.’ I wonder how she found out—it must have been the baths. I tried to wear loose clothes. Or maybe it was Sulpicia—” “I don’t think Sulpicia would’ve told her. What about Philo?” She looked at me sideways. “Ardur—don’t blame Philo for everything. It’s not that hard to figure out. Everyone knows we don’t have children, and I—I—” I leaned forward to kiss her. “You’re the most beautiful woman in Britannia, and people talk. Forget it.” She squeezed my hand, and changed the subject. “So Faro is connected to the mine?” “Yes. That’s where I’ve got to go.” “Now? But—” She thought about it and nodded her head. “You’re right. I’ll go with you.” “You can’t.
