Maria sat in front of the open window staring at the moon. I wonder what Favonius is doing right this minute. She picked up her comb and toyed with it for a moment before tossing it back onto the dressing table. Susannah had combed out her hair before retiring. There was no point in redoing the woman's work.

A noise behind her chair caused her to stiffen and quickly turn around.

"Tribune Albinus. This is a surprise."

"Are you honorable, regina?" The man looked at her intently. "Are you an honorable woman?"

"Whatever do you mean by such a question?" She could not keep the annoyance out of her voice for she knew quite well what he meant.

"Have you taken any harm from the King?"

She blinked. "Harm? No." Her eyes narrowed. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Because," he replied accusingly, " you and the King met privately tonight."

"Oh. I see," she replied flatly. "And you assume that I behaved in a sluttish manner."

"You belong to Cornelius Pola."

"I belong to no man!" She rose and confronted him angrily. "And if Cornelius Pola is so concerned about my welfare and comportment, he ought to have married me when he had the chance."

"The Propraetor will see to things in the proper season." Albinus frowned. "I advise you to consider leaving Egypt as soon as possible."

"My mission here is not completed. Nor, may I point out, is yours."

"My mission is to guard you."

"Has it occurred to you that the King of Egypt is not a Roman citizen? He is not subject to our laws or to direct reprisals from Cornelius Pola. What if the King determines that you are spying on him? What if he concludes his interests will best be served by executing you as a dangerous foreign agent? Do you think for one moment that the King would hesitate to order us both killed if it suited his purposes?"

Albinus shook his head. "The king will hardly offend Cornelius Pola by murdering you, regina, whatever he does to me. And I think it unlikely he will wish to eliminate me summarily."

Maria sat back down with a heavy sigh. "The King of Egypt will do whatever he thinks will achieve his goals."

"He must not be allowed to have his way with you."

"What difference would it make?" Maria shook her head. "You seek to protect Pola's interests. What about my interests?" She rose again and began to pace. "Favonius Cornelius Pola has my dowry and yet I have no ring. I cannot go back to Rome without that." She stabbed her finger angrily toward the man. "Mark me, Albinus, I'd be better off as a valued concubine to the King of Egypt than as the castoff of a Roman general."

Albinus smiled grimly. "You have no assurances that the King of Egypt would continue to value you if you yield to him. And Cornelius Pola will not cast you off, regina. He is an honorable man."

"Is he?" Maria shrugged. "We shall see, shall we not? And in the meantime I shall continue to play Pola's game and hope for the best." She frowned and closed her eyes for a moment. "Try to get over the idea that a woman's honor lies only between her thighs. Now, go away. You'll cause talk visiting me like this."

Albinus bowed tightly and departed without another word.

Maria returned to staring at the moon. I wonder what Favonius is doing right this minute.