The Barbarian's Mistress Read Online Free PDF Page A

goblet.
    Vali’s head was reeling. The man was entrusting him with all that money? It was a small fortune for an ordinary man like him.
    ‘The directions are included with the other documents. This property will stay in my name after my wife takes back her dowry. It may be one of the few income earning properties I’ll be able to hold onto. You might mean the difference between wealth and penury for my paterfamilias after this. So I hope you chose to take up the offer.
    ‘My Anniana has a good head on her shoulders. She knew you for what you were, back then. If I had listened to her…. But I must go. There is still much to do before tonight.
    ‘Come to the front door of my house at midnight. Do you think you can find it again after four years?‘ When Vali nodded absently, he went on. ‘I will bring Anniana to you then.’
    Bibulus stood quickly, picked up a pile of bound scrolls and the large bag of gold coins, handed them to Vali, and then headed for the door. ‘Make yourself at home here. There will be food brought to you, and a bed if you want it. You might want to go out and buy yourself some new clothes. Keep them simple – for the liberti you now are. The carrus can be sold at the end of your journey or remain with Severus.’
    Then he was gone, and Vali was left staring at the poorly executed mural on the wall. He eventually climbed to his feet, and drank down the last of the wine in Bibulus’ goblet. It was watered down, but sweet enough, and it took the metallic taste out of his mouth.
    Then he sat down to go through the documentation Bibulus had left him. He didn’t even know how far away Pompeii was. He knew it was south. He knew it was a popular holiday destination in Campania for the rich and noble citizens of Rome in the sweltering summer months of the year. Now, in fact. But how he was going to get himself and a young girl across the country without being detected he didn’t know.
    But the one thing he did know. If Anniana needed him, then he would be there for her, no matter what.
    After that, he would have to decide on his own future. What would he do with his freedom? Try to make it back to his homeland?
    As he fingered the pile of gold aureii, he thought about that icy, barren land of his birth. His mother had died in childbirth a year before he went aviking. His father and uncles had been killed when pirates attacked their ship mid-sea. Only the youngest of those on board had been kept alive to sell on as slaves. He had cousins and younger brothers and sisters at home, but there had been six years between him and his next brother, and they’d never been close. Vali had been more interested in following his father around like a stray puppy, than playing with the other children.
    No, there was nothing left for him back in his homeland. But managing Bibulus’ property in Britannia might do well. It was cold there, he knew. That would suit him much better than the sweltering heat of the south. He could create a place for himself in t hat new land, maybe take a wife and have children of his own. Such thoughts had never crossed his mind before. They had seemed too impossible to ever be realised, so he had not allowed himself to dream. One step in front of the other… But now the destination was worth considering: A life as a citizen of the empire, managing a property, and living in a roman villa. It was not the worst life he could imagine for himself. Not the worst by a long shot.
     
    Ninia entered the small office where she found her master, busy studying a scroll with fixed attention. Shifting from one foot to another, she was anxious about being sent for by this man she barely knew. It was just about time for the evening meal, and she didn’t want to be late taking it to Anniana. Not that her mistress would notice or care that she was late, but it was a matter of pride that she maintained her impeccable care of her charge.
    ‘You have been my daughter’s friend most of her life, have you