‘Well, men.’ Flavia sipped at her wine. ‘I hope our Emperor can afford to remain in the job. Otherwise, as you say, it’s just a question of time before the army looks to a wealthier patron.’

‘Yes,’ Vitellius said. ‘Just a question of time. But enough of politics, for now. You’re an interesting woman. I really do wish I’d had the opportunity to share a decent conversation with you before tonight.’

‘That would have been nice. I’m afraid Vespasian does tend to try and keep me under lock and key, army bases being what they are.’

‘And I’m sure,’ Vitellius leaned closer, ‘that you’re smart enough to run rings round such restrictions, should you want to.’

‘Yes… should I want to.’

‘And is that why you married him?’

Flavia looked up and saw that his eyes were openly appraising her as his lips melted into the smooth smile of a seducer.

‘No.’ Flavia shook her head. ‘I married Vespasian because I love him. And there’s more steel in him than you can imagine. You’d do well to remember that.’

The tribune’s brow creased and he was quite still as he accepted the rebuff. Then he refilled his glass, without offering to do the same for Flavia, and raised it.

‘To your husband,’ he said quietly. ‘What you say about him may well be true… for now.’

Flavia’s eyes flickered up and a warm smile flushed across her face as Vespasian rose to his feet. Vitellius quickly glanced over his shoulder and saw the legate approaching with the newly decorated optio at his shoulder. With a sigh of reluctance he eased himself round and stood up.

‘I wondered when you would get round to bringing that poor boy over here.’ Flavia laughed as she held out both her hands towards Cato. The optio did a quick double take and gulped.

‘Lady Flavia?’

‘The same. And how’s my little Cato? Not so little these days, it seems. Let me have a good look at you!’

‘It seems the optio and my wife were friends back in their palace days,’ Vespasian explained to Vitellius. ‘So it’s something of a reunion.’

‘Such a small world, sir,’ the tribune replied smoothly. ‘We seem to live in a time of great coincidences.’

‘Yes. I need a quiet word with you. I’m sure my wife would be only too pleased to join the optio and catch up on several years of gossip. My dear?’

‘Of course.’ Flavia nodded gracefully and led Cato towards the head of the table.

‘Lady Flavia, I had no idea you were here.’

‘Why should you?’ She smiled. ‘Officers’ wives are seldom seen out of their quarters. And only a lunatic would expose themselves to the ravages of a German winter by choice.’

‘Did you know I was here?’

‘Of course. There can’t be that many Catos joining the Legion from the palace. And as soon as my husband mentioned the — now what was it he said? — the “bookish beanpole”, I knew it had to be you. I’ve been simply dying for a chance to see you again but Vespasian said I had to let you settle in first — the last thing you needed was some interfering woman mollycoddling you in front of the other men.’