His shoulder was suddenly grasped from behind. Cato jumped round and a sharp cry of surprise escaped his lips before he could stop himself.

‘Shhh!’ Lavinia whispered. ‘Quick, under here!’

She tugged his arm, pulling him beneath the wheels of a large wagon. He followed automatically and rolled into her side.

‘What—’ he whispered, but she pressed a hand to his lips and told him to keep quiet and still. He marvelled at the softness of her skin as it brushed his lips and caught a momentary scent of something fragrant.

‘Who goes there?’ a voice called out from nearby. ‘Come on out, sunshine!’

Cato froze and held his breath, scared — and at the same time excited by the physical closeness of Lavinia. A warm glow flowed into his loins.

‘What’s up?’ another voice called out from slightly further off.

‘Think we’ve got a thief. Heard someone over here.’

A pair of legs and a spear butt appeared in front of the wagon and paused. A moment later the other sentry arrived on the scene.

‘Found anything?’

‘Not yet.’

Cato fumbled for Lavinia’s hand and held it tight as he carefully pulled her body into his with his spare arm. She stiffened in protest for an instant and then allowed herself to be embraced.

‘Seems quiet enough.’

‘I’m telling you I heard something.’

‘Could have been from inside the tent.’

‘I don’t think so.’

Cato’s lips moved across her hair and down her cheek until they met hers. With a delirious sense of pleasure — even in this dangerous situation — Cato kissed her gently, relishing the warmth of her breath and the pounding of his chest against her breasts. Lavinia returned the kiss softly for a moment and then darted her tongue into his mouth. Cato felt a ripple of ecstasy sweep through his body.

‘Look, there’s no-one here now,’ the second sentry said impatiently.

‘Maybe.’

‘Well, there’s no point in stumbling around in the pitch dark looking for someone who’s scarpered. We’ll just do ourselves an injury. Let’s forget it.’

The second sentry marched off. After a short pause, the first reluctantly turned away from the wagon and stamped sourly back towards the perimeter rope, muttering dark curses at his companion.

Under the axle, Cato was wallowing in the throes of a passion he had never experienced before. His right hand slowly slid over the silken curve of Lavinia’s hips towards the inside of her thighs. She clamped them together and twisted away from him.

‘No!’ she hissed.

‘Why?’

‘Not here!’

‘What’s wrong with here?’ asked Cato desperately.

‘It’s too cold and uncomfortable. Mistress has found a place where we won’t be bothered.’ She squeezed his hand tightly. ‘Somewhere more cosy where we can get to know each other properly. Come on.’

‘Flavia?’ Cato wondered aloud. ‘Flavia arranged this? Why?’

‘Shhh!’

Lavinia tugged his hand and led him out from under the wagon. They paused at the edge of the line of vehicles to make sure all was still, before quietly crossing to the back of a tent. She had unlaced a join to provide a small opening in the heavy leather. The gloom inside was almost impenetrable, but Lavinia seemed to know her way well enough, and led him on by the hand. Underfoot, the grass gave way to a sectioned wooden floor which Cato managed to trip over, almost flattening Lavinia in the process.