The Iron Hand of Mars Read Online Free PDF Page A

staff position ahead of time, to give him the early benefit of experience abroad.” Judging by the way he had written to his sister, this plan to teach Aelianus diplomacy was a waste of time and cash.
    â€œDoes he demonstrate special qualities?”
    I replied gravely, “Camillus Aelianus seems well equipped for a spectacular public career.”
    Titus Caesar glanced at me, as if he suspected I might be suggesting that the normal criterion for rapid advancement in the Senate was a touch of the dungheap. “You seem well briefed!” He eyed me shrewdly, then called up an outdoor messenger. “Falco, when did Helena Justina leave?”
    â€œNo idea.”
    He muttered something to his mercury; I caught a mention of Ostia. Titus realised I had overheard. “The lady is a member of a senatorial family; I can forbid her leaving Italy,” he told me defensively as the messenger left.
    I shrugged. “So she’s taken an unauthorised holiday. Why not? She’s not a vestal, or a priestess of the imperial cult. Your predecessors in office might have had her exiled to an island for displaying such independence, but Rome expected better from the Flavians!” Still, if he could find her—and I had myself already spent a day fruitlessly searching the Ostia quays—I was quite prepared to let Titus have my lady escorted back to Rome. I knew she would be handled respectfully because of her status. I also knew that Titus Flavius Vespasianus was in for a Charybdis of trouble if he ordered it. “Helena Justina will object forcibly to being hooked off her ship. I’ll stay if you like,” I offered. “Her ladyship in a temper may be more than your Praetorian Guard can handle without help!”
    Titus made no attempt to call back his messenger, “I’m sure I can mollify Helena Justina…” No woman he ever seriously wanted would be able to turn her back on him. He smoothed down the ample folds of his purple tunic, looking grand. I planted my feet apart and just looked tough. Then he demanded abruptly, “You and Camillus Verus’s daughter seem unusually close?”
    â€œDo you think so?”
    â€œAre you in love with her?”
    I gave him a simple smile. “Caesar, how could I presume?”
    â€œShe’s a senator’s daughter, Falco!”
    â€œSo people keep telling me.”
    Both of us were heavily aware of his father’s power and of how much authority had already devolved on Titus in his own right. He was too polite to draw comparisons between us, but I did.
    â€œDoes Verus approve of this?”
    â€œHow could he, sir?”
    â€œDoes he allow it?”
    I said quietly, “Helena Justina is a sweetly eccentric girl.” I could tell from his face Titus had already learned that. I wondered what he had said to her; then I wondered more painfully what she had said to him.
    He moved in his seat, closing our interview. He could dismiss me from his throne room; he could order me out of Rome; but both of us were a good deal less certain whether he could exclude me from Helena’s life. “Marcus Didius, my father needs you to take a journey. I feel that would be best for everyone.”
    â€œAny chance of Baetica?” I ventured cheekily.
    â€œWrong direction, Falco!” he whipped back with more relish than he should. Recovering, he murmured, “I was hoping to entertain the lady here last Thursday. I was sorry that she would not come—still, most people like to celebrate their private feasts amongst those who are closest to them…” This was some kind of test. I stared at him, giving nothing away. “Helena Justina’s birthday!” he explained, like a man throwing a double six with weighted dice.
    It was news to me. He could see that.
    With difficulty I restrained my instinctive reaction, which was to punch his superbly barbered chin straight through his handsome teeth to the back of his