Amara feels resentment, thinking of the house Drusilla owns, the shop she rents out, all the security she has to fall back upon if her lovers disappoint her. “How are things with Quintus?” she asks, changing the subject.

“Oh.” Drusilla shrugs. “I think that’s run its course. It’s only a matter of time before I leave him—it would be fatal to my reputation if he dropped me first. Fortunately, I’ve found another lover who is more than accommodating.”

“Tell me,” Amara says, rather enjoying the idea of the arrogant Quintus being dropped.

“Ampliatus,” Drusilla replies, drawing out the name. “He owns half the warehouses at the port. It’s true he’s not from such a well-connected family as Quintus or Rufus, but you simply cannot believe how rich he is. And I’m finding it rather refreshing to be with an older man. They can be so grateful in bed and a good deal less exhausting to entertain.”

“And he’s kind?”

In reply, Drusilla raises her wrist in a languid fashion, so that Amara can see the new bracelet shining red and silver against her skin. Amara gasps. “I told you he was rich,” Drusilla replies, with satisfaction. “He’s generous too. I’m thinking of inviting him to dine with me privately. And to stay the night, of course. That’s the sort of public insult Quintus will be unable to ignore. There’ll be a scene, and then it will be over.”

“Is Ampliatus attractive?” Amara asks, wondering just how much older the merchant might be, whether he’s the same age as Demetrius.

“Is the admiral?” Drusilla replies, raising her eyebrows. She laughs at Amara’s look of annoyance. “My darling, I’ve always known you preferred him. It’s horribly obvious every time you open your mouth to deliver a breathless remark about how generous or intelligent the man is. And I’m quite sure the villa at Misenum only made him even more appealing. Rufus isn’t a complete fool—he knows you’d drop him for Pliny in a heartbeat. Who wouldn’t?”

“I am grateful to the admiral, and I respect him, but I don’t think of him that way. As a lover, I mean.”

Drusilla rolls her eyes. “What does that even mean, as a lover? You know he is rich and powerful. Even if he weren’t as intelligent as you insist, surely that would be quite enough.”