Buried Too Deep by Jane Finnis Page A

the morning’s tasks, and even the bright dawn light and the songs of the birds failed to dispel it. So I went inside, changed, and washed my face, which made me feel, if not happier, at least clean. Then I wrote to my brother, a short message as before, couched in words that wouldn’t mean much to anyone else, except that the plea for him to visit us urgently was clear enough. I went straight out and asked Secundus to get Malchus to deliver it as soon as possible. The gods alone knew what good it might do.
    Doing something practical made me start to feel better. I also felt hungry, so I went to the kitchen, where Margarita was having breakfast, and joined her. She’d already heard about Belinus’ death, and lost no time in dispatching a messenger to the temple at Oak Bridges with a note and a purse of silver, asking one of the priests to visit us sometime today.
    “Good. I’m sending Belinus’ body home to his farm this morning. From what he said before he died, he was definitely one of Lucius’ informers. I’ll write a letter explaining what happened and expressing our condolences. I’ll have to word it carefully, because it’s possible his wife and family don’t know he was working for my brother.”
    “Mistress, this letter’s just come for you.” One of the maids bustled in, waving a small package. “A farmer on his way to Oak Bridges brought it in. He said your relatives on the wolds asked him to deliver it on his way.”
    “From my sister? Thanks, Baca, I’ll come through and thank him, but I’d better read it first. Gods, I hope there’s nothing wrong.”
    “He said he should have brought it yesterday but he’d been delayed somehow, and he was in a tearing hurry and wouldn’t even stop to see you. We gave him a drink on the house, but he just gulped it down and left again…”
    I’d stopped listening. I quickly unwrapped the cloth around the package, and found inside a note written in ink on a flat wooden tablet. It wasn’t from Albia, but from her husband Candidus.
    “Candidus to Aurelia Marcella, greetings. We have some trouble near here, caused by a band of sea-raiders who are picking on small farms, stealing animals and extorting money. They haven’t touched us so far, and we’ve enough farm boys to protect ourselves, but I can’t help worrying because of Albia and the children. If things get worse, could Albia and the little ones come to stay with you at the Oak Tree for a while?
    Do come and see us soon. You know you’re always welcome, and I’d value your advice about what we can do to protect the farm. You’re used to dealing with trouble.
    Albia doesn’t know I’m writing to you. I don’t want to alarm her.”
    I stared at the note. It might or might not have alarmed Albia, who’s a lot tougher than she looks, but it certainly alarmed me. The simple fact that Candidus had written it was worrying, and his comment, “You’re used to dealing with trouble…” I was overwhelmed by a sudden strong desire to see my sister and make sure she and her family were well. Candidus had written that they were safe. But for how long?
    “Margarita, I must ride over and see Albia today. Look at this.” I passed her the note.
    She read it and nodded. “Yes, I think you must. Candidus is normally such a calm man, and an optimist. If he’s worried, you need to take it seriously.”
    “I do. I can ride with the carriage that’s taking Belinus home, his farm’s on the way. I can even call in and talk to his family. It won’t be a very pleasant errand, but they’ll appreciate my going personally I expect. Then I’ll still have time to see Albia, and be back here tonight. Will you be able to cope without me during the day? If it gets busy again…”
    She smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll manage fine.”
    She would, too. I trusted her, and I knew she was more than capable of running the mansio in my absence. She’d been my housekeeper for two years now, and I suspected she enjoyed