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‘It’s pretty. Can I have one, too?’
‘Of course you can, Empress, one just like your mama’s.’ Marius crouched down beside the girl. ‘Or would you like me to show you some others?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘All right.’ He scooped her up in his arms, allowing her to survey the selection from above. ‘Now tell me, which one do you like?’
‘The green.’
Livia smiled, the fuzzy glow seeming to increase tenfold as he put Julia down again and picked up a smaller, forest-green version of her new cloak. It was strange how different he seemed, so much more relaxed and easy-going around children, revealing the softness behind his stern facade. If nothing else, he’d be a good father, she was sure of it.
‘How’s that, Empress?’
Julia nodded and he jerked his head towards Porcia. ‘You, too. I don’t want any of you catching a chill.’
‘Thank you.’ The maid beamed as she picked up a blue version. ‘It’s beautiful.’
‘Good. Then we’re all happy.’ He turned away to hand a few coins to the shopkeeper before clapping his hands together decisively and winking at Livia.
‘Now, I believe there was mention of a doll?’
‘Over here!’ Julia grabbed one of each of their hands, leading them across the street towards a stall selling an impressive array of toys and trinkets.
‘This might take a while.’ Livia took a step closer towards him as Julia broke away, jumping up and down with excitement at the range of choices before her. ‘That was very kind. You know, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen either of them so happy.’
‘I’m glad.’
‘Thank you.’ She put a hand on his arm in a gesture of gratitude and felt the muscles immediately contract beneath her touch, so violently that she started to pull away again.
‘Wait.’ His spare hand came up to stop the movement, forcing her fingers back down on to his arm before resting gently over them.
Neither of them spoke then for a few seconds. Instead they stood side by side, watching Julia without looking at each other, though Livia was intently aware of the still spasming muscles beneath her fingertips. Suddenly she wished there was some space between them again. Surely the intense physical attraction she felt for him—that he seemed to feel for her, too—must be obvious to everyone around them.
‘I’m truly sorry about separating the pair of you.’ His voice sounded deeper than ever when he spoke, so deep that she felt the vibrations all through her body. ‘I know it must be hard to leave her.’
‘It is.’ She swallowed as his fingers tightened around hers. ‘We’ve never been apart before. I hate the very idea of it, but her safety is more important, and at least she’s excited about spending some time with Hermenia. Porcia’s staying, too.’
‘You’re not bringing your maid?’
‘Not if you think it might be dangerous and it’s more important for Julia to have familiar faces around her.’
He twisted towards her with a look of concern. ‘You’ll be safe in the fort. There’ll be plenty of soldiers there to protect you, but you know I’d leave you here, too, if I could.’
That time she laughed outright. ‘I’m not sure that’s the most complimentary thing you could say on our wedding day.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that.’ He looked faintly sheepish.
‘I know. You meant for my protection, too.’
‘Yes.’
‘This one!’ Julia whirled around suddenly, holding up a wooden doll only a few inches shorter than she was.
‘I hate to say I told you so.’ Livia lifted her eyebrows.
‘But you will?’ Marius laughed and released her hand slowly, as if he were reluctant to do so. ‘I suppose I asked for that. This might take some haggling.’
She bent down as he walked across to the stall-owner, putting on a suitably admiring expression as Julia showed
