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"Of course you may house them at the villa," Ursula replies. "How many are there?" She snips the late summer flowers from their stems and puts them into the small basket.

"Maximus has sent word of up to twelve men. I have room for six within the house and stables. Could you house the rest?" Selene absently plays with one of the stems that remain from the pruning Ursula so carefully tends. While Selene's family raises horses worthy of praise throughout the countryside, Ursula's gardens are renowned for their beauty and variety.

"Of course."

"And you can be trusted with six men? You've been a widow a long time..."

Selene's mouth twitches at the corners, as Ursula looks at her in mock outrage. "My friend, how you disparage me so!" The twinkling of Ursula's hazel eyes gives away her good humour at her friend's jibe. "You think I be so desperate for a man's company that I would abuse my station as hostess?"

"I do not put anything past your wiles, my dear Ursula," Selene teases back. "Of course Maximus would never think to bring home ugly soldiers. I will make sure the prettiest men are housed with you."

"You are too kind, Mistress Selene."

"And you are tired of being alone, I think, Mistress Ursula."

"You are shrewd, neighbour,"

"I am a woman." The two laugh together amongst the flowers.

~*~

Maximus and a group of his soldiers are riding to his home in Spain on leave. We are a party of ten, five officers and their men. The war will rage once again in the north countries, but the talk of battle in the cold mud is forgotten among the golden fields and warm autumn sunlight of the General's homeland. I have been here before. This is my home now and I look forward to spending the next few days being lazy and enjoying the beauty of the surroundings.

~*~

Our homecoming is merry and the men enjoy their holiday. A neighbour of Maximus' is housing several of our party. We will all dine there tonight before returning to the front in the morning. We dread leaving. And yet, there is an impatience settling in amongst the men now; they are keen to return to battle and victory.

~*~

"Ursula, your kitchen servants will see to that," Selene says as her friend leads her to a small room off the kitchen for more wine. "You don't need to come in here."

"Where have you been hiding him!" Ursula whispers with a broad smile on her face.

"What are you talking about," Selene says, also smiling, but unsure why.

"Has being married to the most perfect man in all of Spain blinded you to all others?" Ursula whispers, looking over her shoulder and then back at Selene.

"Which one, Ursula? Will you tell me or must I start pointing?" Selene teases.

"Him." Ursula inclines her head toward the large banquet table, around which sit the General and his men.

"Ursula, I'm warning you..." Selene says in mock anger.

"Your man's man. He's beautiful."

"Who? Cicero?" Selene laughs airily. "He's lovely, yes, and a most loyal and sensitive person. But wouldn't you rather have a big strong soldier?" Selene's eyes catch those of her husband's. He smiles at her, sure he doesn't know what two women whispering in a kitchen surrounded by ten members of the best legion in the Empire could be talking about. "Well, I think can help in arranging something for you..." Selene says conspiratorially to her friend.

"How generous of you," Ursula says, and the two break into laughter that attracts the attention of the guests.

~*~

"I am to stay here and help? I do not understand, lady. She has slaves and Maximus may need me to pack for him." It is not that I am being argumentative with Selene, only that Maximus is first and foremost my duty, both as my commander in the army and as my friend.

Selene sighs. Men. Her horses were brighter sometimes.

"Please, Cicero. I'm sure Ursula would be grateful.... After all she has to run this household alone."

I consider that Selene, too, has to run her house herself while her husband is at war, but it is not my station to dispute my master's wife.
 
"As you wish, lady," I reply. I watch the others ride toward Maximus' land.

Ursula has been seeing to the comfort of her houseguests and now returns to the table where I stand. She looks at me looking at her, awaiting her instruction.

"I am at your service, lady," I say, unsure what she wants me to do.

"Perfect..." she smiles at me.

Selene's words return to me now, and I understand. I smile back at Ursula as she reaches for me.

~*~

I take her there, on the table, pushing into the warm tightness between her thighs, and she wraps her legs around my hips. Slowly leaning forward, I press her back against the rough wood, my pace increasing and our breathing becoming heavy. She roughly pulls me to her by the shoulders and pants my name into my ear in time to our movements.

Vague thoughts of discovery flit across my mind, but my body's responses to Ursula's voice and motion quickly turn my attention elsewhere. I dispel all thoughts of our appearance, our indiscretion, the inappropriateness of our coupling. This is, after all, her house. What she chooses to do in it and with whom is ostensibly her business. But people talk, rumours are spread and reputations are sullied. Not that this affects me much, but I spare a thought for Ursula and her station. A brief thought.

I press my cheek to hers, my tongue flitting around her ear and along her graceful neck. Her whispers turn to moans and I feel my control begin to slip away. My arms tighten around her waist as her nails begin to dig into my shoulders. I try hard to keep from voicing my passion, but the desire to cry out is becoming harder to contain. The steady pace at which we had been thrusting against each other becomes ragged and faster; I am close...

~*~

We both, I think, offered a small prayer to the gods for not being discovered. If her house servants heard anything, they have chosen to remain mute. As for her guests, they, like me, were full of good wine and good food, and had surely retired to their beds.

At least, that is what I say to myself, with a smile, as I ride back toward Maximus' farm in the hour before dawn.

Selene has seen to Maximus' things while I was away, I find, and has packed my own things for our journey. A good woman, who sees to the comfort not only of her family, but to her friends as well.

We will be departing within the hour.

~*~

"A lovely visit," Selene says, breezing into Ursula's home, watching her son through a window as he chases after the butterflies in the garden.

"Yes, indeed, neighbour," Ursula says, walking into the room, smiling. "You must thank your good husband for being such a gracious guest and bringing me the prettiest man."