‘One of his whims. He sent for the lawyer straight after that drama-dealer, Thalia, came to see him at the Saepta.’

‘Thalia?’ That was unexpected.

‘You know the creature, I believe? She wears the shortest skirts in the Empire.’

‘And frolics suggestively with wild beasts.’

‘Who is this? Should I know her?’ Sitting on the end of Maia’s couch, his long legs crossed and his hands behind his head, Petronius showed himself keen for gossip. Maia kicked him, and he massaged the bare soles of her tired feet for her; neither really seemed aware they were doing it.

I shrugged. ‘Have Helena and I not mentioned her? She’s a circus and theatre manager. Runs actors and musicians—does rather well. Her speciality is exotic animal acts. I do mean exotic! Her indecent dance with a python would make your eyes water.’

A gleam came into Petro’s eyes. ‘I’d like to see that! But Marcus, my boy, I thought you gave up your fancy girlfriends!’

‘Oh I have; honest, legate! No, no; she’s a family friend. Thalia’s a good sort, though I hate her pesky snake, Jason. I could have done without her travelling to Alexandria with my damned father. She came to buy lions. Pa cadged a free ride on her ship. I believe that was the first time they met, and I can’t imagine they would have any business together back in Rome.’

‘Oh, they were close!’ Maia snorted. ‘They rushed into a closet with the door closed and there was some ghastly giggling. I did not take in a galley tray of almond fancies.’ She looked prudish. ‘When they emerged, Thalia seemed extremely happy with the outcome and our father positively glowed—the revolting way he did when some busty fifteen-year-old barmaid gave him a free drink.’

Petronius winced. I just looked rueful. ‘Thalia’s a woman of the world, Maia, with her own money; she can’t have been scrounging. What she likes from men, insofar as she likes them for anything, is purely physical . . . What did Geminus say?’

‘Nothing. I could see he was bursting to make some grand pronouncement,’ Maia replied, ‘but the Thalia woman glared at him and for once he held his tongue. Immediately she left, the lawyer was booked, however. Next day Geminus went into a huddle with him. He couldn’t resist letting on he was playing with his will. Since he was dying to tell me the details, I refused to show any curiosity.’

Like Maia, I hated to be manipulated into feeling any interest. I was exhausted. I decided I would have dinner here, sleep at the villa, then rise early to go home to Helena. I tossed the will on to a low table. ‘It will keep.’

‘My bet is, that will be a whole year’s work and twice as much trouble,’ Petronius warned.