CHAPTER FIFTEEN
In the midst of the villa's servants packing crates for what appeared to be a long and arduous journey, they again greeted the beautiful widow of Spurius Lavinus in the atrium of the spacious house. She stood beside the towering statue of Mars and his upraised gladius in one hand. She was dressed in soft yellow with blue thread. Around her throat were an impressive necklace of blue sapphires and a sprinkling of diamonds. They were hardly needed to accentuate the woman's natural beauty.
"You plan for a long trip, Madame?" he inquired softly, eyeing the many trunks and cases already packed and waiting for transportation.
"Africa." She clasped her hands in front of her. "I have a son in Carthage I have not seen in ages. It occurred to me a voyage to Carthage would be more s
