“Today, maybe. And perhaps she didn’t do much harm. As you can see, the baths still got built.” Titus gestured at the graceful vaulted walls rising around them. “But she had her hands in other things too, like the alimenta funds, and that’s a dowry for some poor girl who just got orphaned in Ostia. That’s money that means a girl either gets married and raises a family, or has to turn to whoring. Money that puts a boy into a respectable trade, instead of thieving on the streets.” Titus wrinkled his nose. “And after stealing from orphans, who knows what would come next?”

“But plenty of other people have to have known the Empress was skimming. Why not let one of them call her to account?”

“Because none of them did.”

Faustina tilted her head. “You’re still an idiot,” she decided. “But I’m proud of you. I’m sure your father and grandfather would be too.”

“You know, I rather think you’re right.”

“Were you terrified?” Faustina lowered her voice. “Empress Plotina turns me into absolute jelly when she’s in a good mood.”

“I was petrified,” Titus confessed. “My knees were knocking the whole time.”

“She’ll be your enemy now.” Faustina looked suddenly grave. “We both know why she took sail for Antioch so suddenly, and it’s not because she’s desperately missing Trajan. She’s paying him a visit so she can tell him everything, and put you in the bad. He’ll get her version of the truth—”

“Which is why he already has mine,” Titus said. “I consulted with your father, and we agreed that it would be prudent if I sent a letter with all my findings to Antioch before I ever paid Plotina a visit. Trajan knows everything by now. And he might not believe me alone, but he’ll believe me if I’m endorsed by Senator Marcus Norbanus.”

“But you promised Plotina you’d keep her secret if she stopped.”

“I lied,” Titus confessed.

Faustina gave him an approving sweep of her lashes. “Perhaps you aren’t such an idiot after all.”

“No, only an idiot would have faced the Empress down in the first place. But at least I’m a careful idiot.”

It had been all Titus could do to turn his unprotected back and walk away from the Empress of Rome. She had looked so white and strange at the end, rage sending odd ripples across her still face like a sea monster turning languid circles under the surface of a calm ocean.

I will see you dead for this. Her voice had sent splinters of ice down his spine. Even now, safe in the sunlit hall with Plotina half an Empire away and sailing for Antioch, Titus shuddered.