thankful that I am not far enough along in my pregnancy to hamper my movements or fill out my clothes. I am so engrossed in my own thoughts that I do not see the thoughtful looks being tossed around the room. I do sense a strange tension though.

I sip from my goblet, smile, and say to Hadrian, "Thank you very much for your compliment. Father always spoke well of you. It is a great pleasure to finally make your acquantance."

Dia and Achillas bustle about the dining chamber, making sure we are all settled and the food is to our liking. They work well as a team, but I sense some underlying tension between them. I am nearest the doorway, and as they leave the room to fetch the next course, I hear Dia questioning Achillas, but I cannot make out what she is saying since at that exact moment Cousin Cilla askes Hadrian after some mutual acquantances in Roma. I turn my concentration to the conversation at hand, assuming that she is asking him a question concerning our meal.