Plotina’s thoughts flitted momentarily to the moment Hadrian had brought his new betrothed to the palace with their news. “My dear girl,” Plotina had cried, kissing Sabina on both cheeks. “I cannot tell you how happy you have made me. You will be the daughter I never had—of course I will see to the wedding arrangements, and afterward you must both come live in the palace until a suitable villa can be readied. Dear Publius’s house is entirely unsuited for a new wife—”

“We won’t be needing a new villa just yet,” Sabina said, and tilted her head up at Hadrian, who put a fond arm about her shoulders. “We’re going to Greece. And after that, who knows?”

“He says he’s taking her to Greece after the wedding,” Plotina told Juno. “To spend a year as magistrate in Athens. But that’s absurd. He must be here in Rome if his career is to proceed as I’ve planned. I want him consul as soon as he is of age—how is he to manage that gallivanting about Athens?”

Juno looked sympathetic.

“You have sons,” Plotina conceded. “So you know what a trouble young men can be. Dear Publius has always had these useless dreams about traveling the world. What good will that do his career? He can think about leaving Rome after he’s consul, when he has a province to govern. Egypt, I think. Trajan won’t mind giving him that now that he’s a member of the family.”

Plotina frowned. The only blot on her happiness was her husband, who had most decidedly not been pleased by news of the impending marriage. “Little Sabina could do better,” he said shortly.

“She could not—” Plotina began in outrage, but Trajan had cut her off with rare rudeness.

“No more of your prating, Plotina! The boy’s capable enough, I grant you, so I’ll allow the match, but that doesn’t mean I like him any better. And don’t expect me to start treating him like he’s family just because he was cunning enough to marry into it!”

Trajan had stalked away in a bad temper, and Plotina had allowed him his huffy exit. “Husbands,” she said to Juno. “So troublesome.”

Juno understood.

“At least my husband has never humiliated me as yours does you.” Plotina rested an elbow on the dais, tilting her head so she could see the massive marble Jupiter in the center of the temple. “Mortal women and bastard children—really, my dear, I would not put up with it for a moment. But with Trajan it’s all strapping young men, and they are no trouble to me.”