“It has been a month since the hasty ceremony and still no announcement of a swelling belly,” he went on. “Did he not sample her before the wedding? Pompeia comes from a fertile family and I have been waiting for the happy news and more free wine to drown our envy. He may be bald under those leaves, but he has had a daughter before, so perhaps she is barren?”

“You are a malicious little gossip, Belas, did I ever tell you?” Servilia replied. “He is not bald yet and not every marriage is blessed with children from the first night.”

“I have heard he tries valiantly, though. Stallions have done less with mares in heat, from what I—”

“Enough, Belas,” she said, her expression growing cold. “An aureus a week, until the army leaves for Greece. Will you tell me you can do better in a playhouse somewhere?”

“Not better than the payment, but my public will forget me. I may not get work as easily afterwards. They are fickle, you know, in their affection, and prices have risen with all the gold Caesar brought from Gaul. Two gold pieces a week would keep me alive long enough to find work, when you are finished with old Belas.”

“Two it is, but I will want your eyes on that house at all times. I do not want excuses from you, or one of your wild stories about gambling games that dragged you in against your will.”

“My word is good, Servilia. You have always known that.” His tone was serious and she accepted it.

“You have not said what I am looking for,” he went on.

“She is very young, Belas, and the young can be fools almost as much as the old. Watch she does not stray or be tempted by some fine boy in the city.”

“And your interest in this, my beautiful queen? Could it be that you are hoping she will be tempted? Perhaps I should put temptation in her path for her to stumble over. Such things could easily be arranged.”

Servilia bit her lip as she thought, before shaking her head. “No. If she is a fool, it will not come through me.”

“I am curious to know why you would spend gold on another man’s wife,” Belas said, tilting his head as he watched her reactions. To his astonishment, spots of color appeared on her cheeks.

“I . . . will help him, Belas. If to be useful is all I can have from him, then I will have that.”

At her words, his face softened and he approached her, taking her in his arms. “I have been as hopeless, once or twice. Love makes fools of great hearts.”

Servilia pulled free of the embrace, touching at her eyes.

“Will you do it then?”