Aelia smiled up at Senator GnaeusCato Domitius as he patted her soft hand meaningfully. She blinked her eyes languidly, letting her thick black lashes flirt with the man.

"Dear lady, it is always a pleasure to see you." His answering smile warmed into a slight laugh as she touched a finger to his cheek. "Now, now, dear lady. You'll have people talking about you!"

"Why senator! People have talked about me since I was nine and my father refused the election to Vestal status on my behalf."

He nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid there was a great deal of speculation when that occurred."

Aelia raised an eyebrow. "Well, what did you think happened?"

"I, dear lady?" Senator Domitius shook his head. "I never speculate. I prefer to work from facts." He steered his guest toward a marble bench and nodded toward a servitor. As Aelia sat, the slave bowed before her and offered a golden tray on which rested a beautifully chased cup containing the Senator's finest wine. It was already well-watered and exactly to Aelia's taste.

She took the cup and raised it toward her host. "To your health Senator." She sipped slowly, savoring the rare vintage. "My cousin prefers to work from facts also."

He smiled blandly. "The lady Maria?"

Aelia laughed softly and flirted up at him over the rim of the cup. "No, dear Senator. My cousin Lucius."

"Do you come to me as his messenger?"

"Why, yes, Senator Domitius. I do." Aelia's smile was decorously proper. "This isn't the best venue to discuss the proposal he has for you. But he wanted to be sure that you know an opportunity will soon present itself by which you may serve our glorious Imperator." She took another sip of wine. "You must be alert as the opportunity will appear very soon." She looked at him speculatively.

"I was born alert, dear lady." Aelia's trill of laughter attracted the attention of Marcus Flavius Petrus. She and Senator Domitius exchanged meaningful glances and Aelia allowed herself to be claimed by the scion of gens Flavia.