Helvius does not seem entirely convinced. He looks around at the three courtesans, frowning at them as if they were wayward children. “Just because it’s fitting for a savage, doesn’t mean such behavior should be encouraged here among civilized people. Still.” He sniffs, nodding at Rufus. “Clearly, no harm was meant. And over-leniency with slaves is a natural, feminine trait. But women interfering in the running of the town, bribing men to get their way, that’s something else. It’s nothing less than an assault on the natural order.”

“Do women really do such things?” Victoria asks. “Surely not!”

Victoria is gazing at Helvius with almost bovine adoration, reminding Amara of the painting of Io by the door. Everything about her looks soft and yielding, her body promising Helvius she would never be anything but the natural woman he requires. He flushes, laying a hand reassuringly on Victoria’s wrist. “Not women like you, of course,” he says. “Not women in their natural state.”

Amara glances over at Drusilla. For the first time since she introduced her two friends, Drusilla is contemplating Victoria with something approaching respect, her eyebrows raised in two perfect crescents of surprise. Maybe this is going to work, Amara thinks.

“You can’t still be sore about Julia Felix,” Quintus snorts. “That was over five years ago! Let it rest now.”

Amara is startled to hear the name of the owner of the Venus Baths. “What did Julia do?”

Rufus turns to her, perhaps wanting to forestall Amara from defending her friend. “A while back, Julia persuaded the council to close a public road to enlarge her apartment complex. Such a thing has never been done in Pompeii before. Many people were upset.”

“She’s not even married!” Helvius says. “Polluting her father’s name. Disgraceful.”

Quintus rolls his eyes at Drusilla whose mouth twitches with amusement. Amara has no idea who Julia’s father is, but she knows now is not the time to ask.

“Pliny is fond of Julia,” Rufus says mildly.

“The admiral is a well-known eccentric,” Helvius replies. “He consorts with all types of people.” Helvius seems annoyed at being contradicted. His face is shining from the wine, and it makes his eyes look more protuberant, like a hare. “If he cannot see the calamity such immoral behavior risks in bringing down the vengeance of the gods, perhaps it is because he did not have to endure the Great Earthquake.”

“You think we are in danger of another calamity?” Victoria gasps, pressing her body against Helvius, as if his bulk will protect her from the rage of the gods. The move looks completely spontaneous, but Amara knows Victoria will have been calculating it all night.