The Purple Shroud: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stella Duffy Page A

hardly barren.’
    ‘But the baby won’t be ours.’
    ‘It will be born in the purple and so will the child Comito’s expecting.’
    ‘It’s not the same.’
    Justinian took Theodora’s hand. ‘Leave the plotting to Pasara and the gossips she gathers around her; we’ll be remembered long after her child’s children have turned to dust.’
    Theodora shook her head. ‘And those gossips think I’m the ambitious one.’
    ‘You are. Ambitious for me. It’s a fine combination, don’t you think?’
    In the morning Theodora prepared to speak to her daughter. Despite her good intentions she and Ana had never becomeany closer than they were when Ana was a baby and handed over to Theodora’s mother Hypatia, the cost of a wet nurse far less than the sum Theodora could earn back at work on stage. Theodora had tried to mother her daughter since her return from Antioch, had tried even harder since Hypatia’s death two years ago, but it was not a great success. Both women had been relieved when Sophia stepped in, telling Theodora to stop feeling guilty, the best she could do now was change the future. The Empress might never be a real mother to Ana, but Sophia believed there was a chance they might yet find friendship.
    ‘Do you love Paulus?’ Theodora asked, having summoned Ana to her rooms.
    ‘He says he loves me,’ Ana answered quietly.
    ‘That’s not what I asked.’
    ‘I apologise, Mistress.’
    Theodora sighed, tried again to explain herself to her daughter. ‘I’m asking if you love him, if he will make you happy.’
    Ana shrugged. She had few words ever, even fewer to converse with Theodora about something so personal. ‘I expect so. I hope so.’
    ‘I don’t want you to be unhappy. I know we’ve never really talked about these things.’
    ‘I talk to Sophia.’
    ‘Yes, you do,’ Theodora replied lightly, trying not to show her hurt. ‘You’ll have to keep the baby of course, it’s too late to get rid of it, but in many ways it’s easier to keep a bastard here than in poverty outside. All the same, you don’t have to marry him if you don’t want to.’
    ‘But we’re a useful union, surely, Paulus and I? The baby will bring together the families of the last three Emperors.’
    ‘I am aware of that. As is Narses.’
    ‘I’m glad to be of service.’
    ‘Ana, I want you to be happy.’
    ‘And you want this as my mother or as the Empress?’
    Theodora stared at her daughter, impressed. The reply sounded like a retort, no matter that Ana’s head was still lowered, her eyes slightly downcast.
    ‘Clearly, pregnancy suits you.’
    ‘I’m pleased to be having a child, I’m happy to be useful to you, I’m glad Paulus wants me. It will do.’
    Theodora shook her head. ‘You don’t have to put up with what will do, Ana, you’re the daughter of the Empress. We can wait, find a nurse for your baby, find a man you truly want.’
    ‘But whoever you choose for me will need to be useful, won’t he? A link to some important family or other? I can’t do as I want,’ Ana said, ‘as you did.’
    ‘And look how well that worked out for me, deserted and homeless in Africa. Few of us can do as we wish, Ana – not always, not often. Even Justinian constantly weighs his own desires against the needs of his role.’
    ‘I know how it works. Paulus says he loves me. It will do.’
    ‘When did you become so detached?’
    ‘When did you ever care?’
    Theodora sucked in her breath and Ana waited for her mother’s attack. She knew she was pushing it and was surprised at herself, more surprised when no retaliation came.
    ‘I’ve always cared, even if I’ve not always acted on that care, or shown it. And I’m sorry, as you well know. I only…’
    ‘Want me to be happy. Yes. Then you can relax, I am, very happy.’ Ana looked up now, nodding. ‘I’m pleased to be pregnant, pleased that Paulus is someone you approve of. And I’m thrilled to be forming my own new bonds, even if I have to stay within