“I’m starving!” bellowed one of the ordo members from the back.
“We should also acknowledge the newcomers among us, Praefectus Lucius Metellus Anguis, and his enchanting wife, Adara Antonina Metella.”
Crescens stepped forward then as Carcer took a breath. “Quite right!” he said. “Sip your wine and come meet our new guests before going in for a feast to sate even Bacchus.”
There were some murmurs of agreement as each man and woman came forward to greet Lucius and Adara, Crescens taking care of the introductions.
“Praefectus, this is Cassius Bucer and his wife, Luciana,” Crescens said.
A portly man stepped forward and extended a thick hairy arm to grip Lucius’ hand. “Praefectus. It is good to meet a fellow Roman so far from home. We must talk of your choice of tiles for your buildings a
