“Being the offspring of a Flamen, they were kept from other children-and to some extent, I suppose, from adult company too?”
“It was fatal, in my opinion,” said Terentia cryptically.
“They never learned normal behavior?”
“No. They seemed to buckle down to their religious duties well as infants, but they developed a ridiculous sense of their own importance which could do neither any good.”
“They both seem rather vague now,” I commented.
“They both have uncontrollable tempers when thwarted. They brood. They lash out. They lack tolerance and restraint. Some children never need companionship to make them sweet natured. Look at Gaia; yet she is an only child, brought up utterly solitary too.”
“A little spoiled materially?” I suggested.
“Blame Laelia,” Terentia said, in a clipped tone. “No sense of decency. She constantly buys presents without reference to Caecilia, and sneaks them to Gaia. Once Laelia has given clothes or toys to the child, it is hard to remove them again.”
“So Laelia loves her little niece Gaia?” Laelia, it struck me, was the real aunt here; Terentia a great-aunt. “Is it consistent, or might she turn on the child?”
“Laelia’s love is a volatile emotion,” Terentia commented. Still, she was mad. How could she evaluate emotion?
“Would she threaten Gaia with violence just as easily as spoiling her?”
Terentia made a slight gesture of assent-as if congratulating me on at last seeing the truth. “As for Laelia, we did our best. When she reached marriageable age, I suggested Ariminius-a complete change, fresh blood. He was flattered to be asked to join a family of such standing. It has to be said, he is very good with Laelia.”
I had interviewed Ariminius and his wife together, at their choice-his, maybe? He must have been deliberately guarding against indiscretions by the woman. I had certainly missed any suggestion that Laelia had been willingly playing about with “Uncle Tiberius.”
“They seem to have a good marriage,” I interposed in defense of the Pomonalis, not revealing that I realized he wanted to move on.
“You are easy to bluff!” sneered Terentia. “From a man who comes with a seal of approval from a more than usually efficient emperor, I expect better. Ariminius has reached his limit. He has had enough. He is asking for a divorce.”
Yes, that fitted his remarks yesterday afternoon when he was searching for Gaia with me. “He has spoken of a yen for independence.” In fact he spoke of “desertion,” I now recalled. That would fit leaving an unstable wife. So just how unstable was Laelia? “I thought a flamen had to stay married for life? You can’t mean Ariminius will give up being a member of the priestly college?”
“I do mean that. Now you see why I have been trying to arrange formal guardianship. If there is a divorce, Laelia comes back into her own family. Numentinus is growing old and cannot be relied on indefinitely.”
“Scaurus told me you wanted him to act for you!”
She stared at me. “Me? Why should I need that?” It seemed wise not to answer. “Oh, really! The boy is an imbecile.”
“I understood that you were very fond of him, Terentia Paulla.”
“Fond? Fond is not the word. Both those children were brought up ignorant and in need of control. Scaurus is irredeemably foolish, and I try to protect him from public shame.”
Now this was the kind of madness I could understand: a woman who had apparently been declared furiosa convincing herself, and trying to convince me, that her very protectors were in need of care! Yes, it was time for a serious rethink.
“Terentia Paulla, your nephew looks like the only one here who has shown some initiative-I mean, by refusing to be drawn into the family traditions, and by leaving home.”
His loving aunt beat the side of her hand against her other fist impatiently. “Nonsense. The evidence is right in front of you, Falco. Whatever has he told you about this question of guardianship? Why spin you such a stupid story? All he had to say was the truth: that he came to Rome on legal business. He knew the whole matter has to be confidential, and by the time he saw you, his father and I had decided he was incapable of taking on the burden of his sister. He had also been clearly told to keep quiet. Instead, he dreams up some complicated fantasy that even you will soon see through-”
“So Scaurus is a bit dim?”
“Dim? My poor nephew really needs a guardian himself. When I had talked to him about his sister, I realized he was useless and I packed him off home. It leaves us with no solution, but there are hopes of Ariminius.”
I thought for a moment. “Why not help Ariminius to a divorce, with a very large settlement if possible, and ask him to be Laelia’s guardian? He could still do it. And he can be capable in a crisis. I’m sorry,” I added. “I realize it might have to be your money in the settlement, and you might not enjoy giving it over to Laelia.”
