Victoria’s laughter rings out in the garden. She is sitting on the bench with Phoebe and Lais, the three of them draped over one another. Amara is sitting a little apart on a stool, while Britannica stands beside her, rigid as a Praetorian guard.

“Can you believe the amount?” Victoria exclaims. “Did you ever see so many tips? We’ll have paid Felix off in no time!”

Victoria’s haul is undeniably impressive. Amara and Dido never came close to making such a generous profit. “And it wasn’t too upsetting for any of you?” Amara says, looking nervously at the flautists, the women who won’t see the benefit of any of the money.

“Oh, I explained it all to the girls,” Victoria says. “You still have to fuck for a living too, even if it’s only one man.” She laughs. “Though I think that’s pretty obvious anyway! Rufus isn’t very subtle, is he? And I told them once the debt’s paid, we can up their cut.”

“Very generous mistress, thank you,” Phoebe says, looking a little nervous at Victoria’s disrespectful tone.

“I’m so glad you got Egnatius to introduce me to Fuscus,” Victoria continues. “That man can tip! But what a sad little cock he has! Such a chore. What did you used to do to keep it up for long enough?”

A growl comes from Britannica, startling them all. Amara glances up at her and is alarmed to see her staring at Victoria, lip curled, hand resting on the hilt of her knife. She touches Britannica on the arm in warning. “You must realize I cannot talk about the past like that,” Amara says to Victoria. “It dishonors my patron.”

“Is she Rufus’s personal guard dog now?” Victoria says angrily, jerking her chin at Britannica. “And he’s not even here!”

“A man like Rufus expects absolute loyalty,” Amara says, the memory of last night bringing its own bitter aftertaste. “No less in his absence than when he is present.”

“Oh, fine then!” Victoria says in exasperation. “We’re not even allowed to laugh now. And it’s not like you ever showed that sort of loyalty to Felix.”

“Felix wasn’t my patron,” Amara snaps. “He’s a fucking pimp!”

Victoria looks unruffled by the outburst. If anything, there is satisfaction on her face at hearing Amara swear. “What did he say about me anyway? You never told me.”

“What?”

“When you passed on my message.” Victoria is staring at her. “The one you promised to give him.”