“I didn’t say I wasn’t buying. Perhaps you could leave me alone with your friend for a moment, then I will give my decision.”

“Sign the contract first, and then you may have more than a moment.”

Victoria swivels her body round to face him. “Say yes to her,” she says, gripping him by the waist, pulling him even closer. “Please.”

“Very well,” Castrensis replies, looking flustered. Amara is beside him with the wax tablets before he has a chance to reconsider, handing him the stylus to sign.

“I think we should witness this outside,” Amara says to Egnatius, gesturing at the contract. Egnatius rolls his eyes, annoyed at being asked to move, but he does as she asks.

“When did you become so fastidious?” Egnatius drawls when they are standing in the corridor. He signs the contract with a flourish before snapping the tablet shut and handing it back to her. “Castrensis was more than capable of performing with an audience. And I can assure you it really won’t be more than a moment.”

“I didn’t want to look at his ugly face for longer than was absolutely necessary.”

“He’s not as pretty as your steward, it’s true. I cannot believe you’ve never brought lovely Philos back to visit me again.” Egnatius pouts. “Wasn’t he one of Terentius’s boys?”

Amara shrugs. “I don’t know that much about his past—he’s Rufus’s man.”

“Such gorgeous eyes. And those cheekbones!” Egnatius looks sidelong at her, smirking. “I hope he’s not competition for you, with Rufus.”

Amara slaps his arm, a playful gesture, but one hard enough to sting. “Hardly.” Egnatius laughs and swats back at her, and the absurdity of their scuffling together, like children, almost makes Amara laugh too. She pauses, wondering how much interest in Philos she can afford to show. “Did you know Rufus’s grandfather, then?”

“Only by reputation.” Egnatius shudders. “Men like Terentius are the reason you and I should thank the gods every day for being granted our freedom.”

Victoria interrupts Amara from discovering further details, opening the door abruptly onto the corridor. She turns to look back into the room she has just left, suggestively wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, a gesture Amara remembers from the brothel. It is a mercy Castrensis’s response is hidden from view.

“So we’re all friends,” Egnatius says brightly, kissing first Victoria and then Amara as a sign of dismissal. “Just don’t forget the cut you owe me for the introduction, darling,” he murmurs into Amara’s ear. “I know what a shocking hoarder you are.”

Out on the street, Victoria takes Amara’s hand. They walk close together on the pavement, passing the same spot where Philos once offered Amara his arm. “No tip!” Victoria grumbles. “What a tight little shit. I’ve known penniless laundrymen more generous than that.”