Buried Too Deep by Jane Finnis Page B

being in sole charge. She was looking thoughtful. “How far is it to Belinus’ farm?”
    “A bit more than twenty miles. Then it’s another three or four to Albia’s.”
    “And you’ll be slow for those first twenty miles if you’re with the raeda. So wouldn’t you be better staying the night at Albia’s, and coming home tomorrow? I don’t like the thought of you riding back in the dark, if there’s any chance of trouble.”
    “Yes, I will, if you’re sure. Thanks.”
    “You’ll want to take some food with you?”
    That’s one of the many reasons Margarita suits me as a housekeeper. She has a knack of knowing what I’m thinking, and she remembered I always like to take some provisions with me when I call in on my sister unannounced. “Yes, but I’ll be riding, not driving in the raeda with the—with Belinus. So I’ll be a bit limited in what I can carry. Some olives, I think, and sausage, and a piece of that goat’s cheese.”
    “If those greedy gannets haven’t eaten it all for breakfast. And Cook made some honey cakes yesterday.”
    “Ah, now that’ll make me doubly welcome. As many as you can spare, please.”
    She began making me up a couple of saddlebags of food to take, while I walked outside to finish my morning rounds. I’d already seen Secundus, and when I went back to the stables he assured me my message for Lucius was on its way.
    He was in one of the stalls now, smearing ointment on a horse’s back where the saddle had rubbed its hide raw, and muttering curses on the careless courier who had ridden the poor animal in such a state.
    “Could you tell someone to saddle Merula for me, and harness up a medium-sized raeda please? Make sure it looks smart and clean, because it’s for one of Timaeus’ patients who died this morning. I’m taking his body home to his family, then I’m going on to my sister’s place.”
    He nodded. “I heard that poor young farmer died. A sorry business, but if Timaeus couldn’t help, I doubt anyone else could. I’ll put two drivers on the raeda with the body, just for once. Some of the boys aren’t very happy about being too close to corpses, and they’ll be company for each other on the way home.”
    “Good idea, yes, if you can spare two. I’m afraid I’m leaving you a bit short-handed.”
    “No bother, everything’s well in hand. Now, there’s this talk of trouble near the coast. Are you taking a guard?”
    “Well…I don’t know.” Normally I’m happy to ride without an escort, especially on good Roman roads like the one I’d be taking today. But this morning, events were conspiring to make me nervous. I made up my mind. “Yes, I think I will. I’ll take Taurus.”
    Taurus is my handyman, and I’ve often used him as a bodyguard when I needed someone strong and reassuring. Besides being tall and powerfully built, he’s always been one of the most loyal of our slaves, more or less part of the family. And he loves children, so I knew he’d enjoy visiting Albia, and get a warm welcome there. I found him in the workshop, and he jumped at the chance of a trip into the wolds, even though it involved escorting a corpse part of the way, and possibly encountering trouble when we got there. “We’ll have a brilliant time, Mistress Aurelia. Such a lovely day too. And I can take along those toys I made for the twins’ birthday. And we’ll be staying overnight? Oh, that’s good!”
    I wished I could share his simple happiness, but the more I thought about the day to come, the more apprehensive I felt.
    I was almost back at the bar-room door when the sound of a horse cantering along the main road made me look up. A rider turned down our track, and as I recognised him, my gloom suddenly vanished. It was my brother Lucius, and he was waving joyfully.

Chapter V
    “Lucius, this is wonderful!” I ran to him as he jumped down, and we hugged.
    “Now that’s what I call a proper welcome! Good to see you, too, Sis. You’re looking