Susannah sat calmly.

This was not really unusual. Susannah did everything calmly at all times. But it was quite maddening to Maria that on this, of all mornings, Susannah was so insistent on maintaining a normal routine and doing the proper things. Even the children's exclamations upon learning of their elder brother's new status had to be subdued and all discussion swiftly quelled: an offering on the altar of "normalcy."

Susannah was right, of course. If anybody chanced to check on them, it would be best if Maria were sitting at her weaving while the children were doing their lessons.

Very proper.

Very Roman.

Maria sighed mutinously. She was not fond of weaving at the best of times. Dimly she remembered childish quarrels with Susannah on the subject. That had ended, however, the day her father discovered Maria's lack of diligence. She remembered that day with utmost clarity. Titus cured his daughter of outward resistance to his authority and to feminine duty through the highly effective means of flogging her with a belt and locking her in a dark closet for several days with a bucket and a large jug of water… but no food and no lamp.

The experience taught Maria the value of keeping up appearances and demonstrating outward compliance. It had not, however, checked her innate rebelliousness or her desire to thwart her father on all possible occasions. Titus had been a hard man. Her brother Gaius never was much better, but at least he hadn't resorted to locking her in a closet or beating her.

Luscinea had never shown the least degree of resistance to the role imposed on her by Roman custom nor did she seem to resent the demands of her father and her brothers. But then, Arminius was a rational man and so were his sons. None of them would have dreamed of striking Luscinea or constricting her in a painful manner. And, to do her justice, the girl was happy to fulfill her father's expectations. To Arminius and his children, compliance with the mos maiorum seemed to come as natural as breathing.

The thought of Arminius brought a smile to Maria's face. Marrying him in the teeth of her brother's opposition had been the most successful act of defiance of her entire life. And the most worthwhile. Assuming it was safe to tread the streets of Rome today, perhaps this afternoon she and Luscinea could go to the shrine on the Aventine and give thanks for the gift of their menfolk.

Maria's eyes rested on Rutilius. He bit his lower lip in concentration as he attempted to complete the mathematical exercises posed by his magister. He did not appear to chafe unduly at being left behind. But his left foot rhythmically kicked the bench on which he sad and she knew he would have preferred to be out and about with his father and brother.

Luscinea moved slowly past, practicing posture exercises under Susannah's tutelage. The girl was extremely graceful for her age and had never displayed the slightest difficulty at walking with a heavy clay plate balanced on her head. She was a beauty who would be in great demand on the marriage market in a year or two. They already had received several feelers concerning possible alliances. Maria frowned slightly. Arminius had promised her he would never marry their daughter off without consulting the girl's own wishes. But if he needed a connection for political reasons, Luscinea might have to be sacrificed.

Marcus's sudden halloo echoed down the hallway and Rutilius dropped his tablet and stylus to run into the atrium. Luscinea halted abruptly and, for the first time in her life, failed to prevent the plate from falling to the floor and smashing. Maria smiled reassuringly. "We can clean it up later. Go to your father and brother--take them their cup of wine."

Luscinea's mouth opened in surprise. But then she smiled. Marcus was a man now. As the only daughter of the house, it was her right and duty to welcome him home. "I'll water it well for him." Her smile dimpled. "And for tata." She started toward the atrium but then paused and looked gravely at her mother. "May I serve Rutilius too, mama?"

Maria nodded judiciously. "Yes, of course. But mind, only one cup for him." She rose and shook out her skirts then smoothed her hair and pinched her cheeks. There had been a time when she also would have bitten her lips to produce the pouty bee-stung look men found so alluring. But Arminius had gently dissuaded her from the practice. She'd never asked whether he associated it with some other woman, or class of women, or whether he merely preferred unswollen lips.

By the time she reached the atrium, everybody had moved into the small garden and Luscinea was standing before her stunned older brother offering him a cup of wine. Arminius looked up at Maria and winked. "It seems there are certain advantages to being a Roman man."

"A few," Maria replied dryly.

Marcus finished his drink and walked over to his mother. "The tonsor told me to give this to you."

"Thank you," she replied. She took the small packet of hair from her son and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Marcus suddenly pulled her into a tight hug. Embarrassed, he released her just as suddenly and stood awkwardly at his mother's side.

"Sit, all of you!" Arminius waved toward the benches. "We might as well be comfortable while we talk."

Maria sat in her favorite spot on the edge of the fountain pool while Rutilius and Luscinea took their customary place at her feet and leaned against her. Marcus looked uncertainly toward his father before flopping onto the carved bench shaded by the naleesia plants. Susannah would have remained in the doorway but Arminius courteously led her to the companion bench to the one Marcus had claimed.

Five pairs of eyes focused solemnly on Arminius who cleared his throat and began…