Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 09] Hero of Rome Read Online Free
![Hosker, G [Sword of Cartimandua 09] Hero of Rome](https://fs.quotez.net/520690/thumbs/152x264/hosker-g-sword-of-cartimandua-09-hero-of-rome.jpg)
Author: Griff Hosker
cheeks. They waited patiently for their targets to emerge. The other traders and visitors who left assiduously avoided them which suited Caronwyn. As soon as she saw Gaius leave she prostrated herself before the two men. “Oh please sir, take pity on a widow and her only child!” Her green eyes flickered beneath her long lashes and Gaius felt himself become aroused.
Antoninus was about to wave them away, much as the tavern keeper had done when Gaius said, “We need a cook father. The slop the slaves serve is not fit for our pigs.”
Antoninus was not convinced. “I will go to the slave market and buy a better one then.”
Morag held her hands out in supplication. “Sir, we are free, we will work for seven nights for no pay and if you do not like my food we will leave and you can then buy yourself a slave. What have you to lose? All we need is a roof under which to sleep and food.”
Gaius turned to his father. “What have we to lose? If the hag cannot cook then we throw her out.”
Antoninus shrugged. “Very well.” He pointed to their cart. “Get aboard the cart you have three days and nights to impress me!”
Caronwyn nodded gratefully. “Do not worry sir. You will not regret your decision.” She had succeeded in the first part of her plan. Now she would need to work on the young man and find out what the curious hovel contained. That would have to wait until she next visited the vicus. It was important that they spend the next three days impressing Antoninus and, once established in the home, they could begin to manipulate the two men.
Morag had not lied, her food was excellent, and within two days Antoninus had decided that they would be an asset to his home. He could begin to entertain the other minor chiefs who had also turned to trade. His home was the most impressive one outside of Eboracum but hitherto he had been unable to invite others there because of the paucity of the food. Now he saw an opportunity to build his power base.
For his part Gaius was besotted with the lovely Caronwyn. Once ensconced in the villa she had discarded the dirty and dishevelled look she had adopted and used every wile taught to her by her mother to enhance her beauty and attraction. The herbs and perfumes she used to improve nature’s bounty proved too much for Gaius. His eyes followed her around the room and his body told him that he wanted her. Had she been a slave then he would have taken her the first day but she was free. He approached his father to ask his advice.
Antoninus smiled; he remembered when he had been a lusty youth and he understood the young man’s attraction. He too had felt his slightly more ancient loins stir when the lovely auburn haired vision served their food making what was delicious seem like ambrosia. “You will have to woo and court her.” He shrugged apologetically. “It is the way of women. They need to be assure of your continued affection. Speak kindly to her, take her for walks, and bring her flowers. You are a fine young man and she will soon do your bidding.”
So Gaius began his courtship. Caronwyn for her part knew how to play the virgin and she fluttered her long eyelashes and giggled at every inanity which came from the Brigante mouth. Inside she was cheering for she knew that within a few days he would be under her spell and she would be able to create her own rebellion.
Chapter 2
Julius Demetrius felt strange as he stepped from the boat at Eboracum this was not just down to the crossing from Germania which had been rougher than the seas in the Mare Nostrum. The main reason was it had been many years since he had left the shores of Britannia. It smelled and felt very different even from Germania Inferior which he had just left and a world away from his villa at Surrentum. It was, somehow, greener. He couldn’t explain it. More importantly it felt like coming home. As he stepped from the bireme he regretted, not for the
Antoninus was about to wave them away, much as the tavern keeper had done when Gaius said, “We need a cook father. The slop the slaves serve is not fit for our pigs.”
Antoninus was not convinced. “I will go to the slave market and buy a better one then.”
Morag held her hands out in supplication. “Sir, we are free, we will work for seven nights for no pay and if you do not like my food we will leave and you can then buy yourself a slave. What have you to lose? All we need is a roof under which to sleep and food.”
Gaius turned to his father. “What have we to lose? If the hag cannot cook then we throw her out.”
Antoninus shrugged. “Very well.” He pointed to their cart. “Get aboard the cart you have three days and nights to impress me!”
Caronwyn nodded gratefully. “Do not worry sir. You will not regret your decision.” She had succeeded in the first part of her plan. Now she would need to work on the young man and find out what the curious hovel contained. That would have to wait until she next visited the vicus. It was important that they spend the next three days impressing Antoninus and, once established in the home, they could begin to manipulate the two men.
Morag had not lied, her food was excellent, and within two days Antoninus had decided that they would be an asset to his home. He could begin to entertain the other minor chiefs who had also turned to trade. His home was the most impressive one outside of Eboracum but hitherto he had been unable to invite others there because of the paucity of the food. Now he saw an opportunity to build his power base.
For his part Gaius was besotted with the lovely Caronwyn. Once ensconced in the villa she had discarded the dirty and dishevelled look she had adopted and used every wile taught to her by her mother to enhance her beauty and attraction. The herbs and perfumes she used to improve nature’s bounty proved too much for Gaius. His eyes followed her around the room and his body told him that he wanted her. Had she been a slave then he would have taken her the first day but she was free. He approached his father to ask his advice.
Antoninus smiled; he remembered when he had been a lusty youth and he understood the young man’s attraction. He too had felt his slightly more ancient loins stir when the lovely auburn haired vision served their food making what was delicious seem like ambrosia. “You will have to woo and court her.” He shrugged apologetically. “It is the way of women. They need to be assure of your continued affection. Speak kindly to her, take her for walks, and bring her flowers. You are a fine young man and she will soon do your bidding.”
So Gaius began his courtship. Caronwyn for her part knew how to play the virgin and she fluttered her long eyelashes and giggled at every inanity which came from the Brigante mouth. Inside she was cheering for she knew that within a few days he would be under her spell and she would be able to create her own rebellion.
Chapter 2
Julius Demetrius felt strange as he stepped from the boat at Eboracum this was not just down to the crossing from Germania which had been rougher than the seas in the Mare Nostrum. The main reason was it had been many years since he had left the shores of Britannia. It smelled and felt very different even from Germania Inferior which he had just left and a world away from his villa at Surrentum. It was, somehow, greener. He couldn’t explain it. More importantly it felt like coming home. As he stepped from the bireme he regretted, not for the
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