Jump to new as of March 24, 1998

Chapter One

ust we go to Nero's banquet?" Maria Bentus asked her sisters as they sat together in their spacious villa. "After all, he is a vulgar pagan and so are all his subjects. We all know that his banquets end in drunken brawls and orgies."

"Oh Maria," her youngest and silliest sister, Lydia, spoke, "why must you be so uptight? Just because you are Christian doesn't mean you can't take part in a pagan's banquet. Besides, there are sure to be many soldiers there."

At the sound of those words, Katerina, the second youngest sister, squealed with delight, "I hope Tribune Dion is there, he is so strong and handsome!"

"But did you see his friend who just returned from Egypt? His name is Tribune Georgus and he looks like a Greek god..." Lydia and Katerina drew away from their three sisters to gossip and sigh over the soldiers they had met.

"We must go," Janice, the eldest and prettiest sister told Maria, "we don't want anyone to suspect us. If Nero found out that we were Christians, there would be no escape for us but the Catacombs. Although I would be quite happy to live in hiding, I'm sure Katerina and Lydia would not be able to stand it, not to mention Mother."

"Quite true Janice," said Eliza, the second oldest sister. "We must not put Mother and our sisters through such torture. Besides, I've been growing bored, it will be interesting to get out and go to a real pagan banquet. Nero's parties are renowned throughout Italy."

Silence reigned in the room for a few moments. Only the muffled whispers of Katerina and Lydia penetrated this silence.

It was thus how Frances Bentus found them when she arrived home. She observed her daughters from the doorway.

Janice was her handsomest daughter. She had abundant blond hair, blue eyes, and the sweetest nature imaginable. Eliza, who had been her father's favorite, had dark hair and eyes, but and extremely pure complexion. Hers was a playful and teasing nature. Frances often thought that she was too outspoken. Maria was her mother's despair. She was dark and not ugly, but she was overly scrupulous.

Frances loved her husband, but she was annoyed when he had converted to the new faith, Christianity. Frances had refused to become a follower, but Eliza, Janice, and Maria had welcomed it with open arms. Frances could stand Eliza and Janice, but Maria was a whole different story. Everything she or others did was questioned by Maria until life became unbearable.

Frances gazed at her younger daughters, Katerina and Lydia. Both were dark, but Katerina had blue eyes like Janice and a lithe, graceful form for a sixteen year old. Lydia had dark brown eyes like Maria and Eliza, but was not as slim as Katerina. She was the flirt of the family and also the silliest. She was Frances' favorite.

Katerina and Lydia did not embrace Christianity as their sisters had. They considered themselves too young to make such important decisions, and besides, their mother hadn't converted.

"Girls, I have such news to tell you," Frances Bentus said as five heads turned towards her. "I found out that two rich tribunes just back from Asia Minor will be making and appearance at Nero's banquet tonight!"

"Are they Christians?" Maria asked as her sisters squealed delightedly. "We can't think of marrying pagans, can we?"

"Oh Maria," exclaimed Lydia, "must you take the fun from everything?"

"Yes, do be quiet Maria," Frances glared at Maria before she continued. "Their names are Carolus Binglius and Wilhelmus Darcius!"

"Binglius!" exclaimed Eliza, "I believe we've met his sisters Carlina Binglius and Lucinda Hurstus." She made a face, "If Carolus is anything like them, then I have no wish to meet him."

"I believe I have met Wilhelmus Darcius' sister, Georgina," Katerina spoke up, " she was nice, but uncommonly shy. But she did speak of her brother with great affection."

"Why don't we save our judgment until we meet the men," the ever-just Janice told them.

"Quite so," Frances said, "now, tonight I want you all looking your best. Since you know their sisters, it shouldn't be hard to get introduced..."

"It's so good to have you home," Georgina threw herself into her brother's arms for the fourth time since his arrival two hours ago.

Wilhelmus Darcius laughed softly into her dark, curly hair as he hugged her close.

"Surely you had a merry time in my absence." Wilhelmus pulled away to look down into her deep blue eyes.

"Of course," she replied, "but I've missed you so!"

Wilhelmus smiled, enhancing his dark good looks. "Did you spend much time with Carolus's sisters?" he asked her.

Georgina made a face, "They came here almost every day. That reminds me, I hope you didn't forget that we have to go to Nero's banquet tonight."

Wilhelmus's face darkened. He did not approve of Nero's parties. If he could have his way, he would not have young girls like Georgina taking part in his vulgar parties. But Caesar was not someone to be trifled with. He was very powerful, and it was best not to anger him.

Georgina noticed her brother's stormy expression and guessed its cause. She knew Wilhelmus did not approve of Nero's banquets, but she was curious to see what happened there. Carlina Binglius and Lucinda Hurstus were forever talking of Nero's parties and how amusing they were. Finally, she would have a chance to see for herself how exciting it could be. She couldn't wait!

"Come Carolus," Carlina Binglius called to her brother, "the litter is waiting outside."

"Yes, yes, I'm coming," the young tribune appeared at the top of the staircase. He was magnificent: dressed in an emerald green toga which covered a golden colored tunic. His dark head was held proudly, but a twinkle of merriment in his blue eyes gave him a less than proud look.

"Do hurry Carolus," Carlina said impatiently, "we must not be late for Nero's grand banquet, besides, we have to find Wilhelmus and Georgina before it starts so we can be sure to be seated next to them."

"I don't see why you ladies love these banquets so much," Carolus spoke of Carlina and his other sister Lucinda, "first you eat, and then you have to listen to Nero play his instruments and recite poetry. And what's worse is that you have to hear all the morons exclaim over his talent. I don't understand it, but then, there are a lot of things I don't understand about ladies."

"How right you are," Carlina exclaimed, "now let's get going or you won't even have the enjoyment of sitting with someone who agrees with you about Nero's parties, Wilhelmus."

"If you put it that way," Carolus said to her, "why are we standing about, we have a banquet to go to."

Carlina laughed disagreeably and led the way to their litter.

Chapter 2

The Bentus women arrived at the banquet just on time. Frances wanted to be sure that they would get seats near Carolus and Darcius.

"Now girls," she told them as she peered through the masses of party goers, "do any of you see Georgina or Carlina?"

"We'll inform you if we do," Eliza looked amusedly at Janice and received an answering smile.

"Oh look," exclaimed Lydia, "there's Tribune Dion and he brought his friend with him!"

"You're right Lydia, he does look like a Greek god," Katerina told her, "let's go over and see them."

They both looked pleadingly at their mother, "Can we go?"

"Of course you can," Frances replied indulgently, "Janice, Eliza, and Maria will do well enough without you. They wouldn't want you stealing the attention."

"Oh thank you, Mother," Lydia and Katerina exclaimed together and turned to catch up with the soldiers. Within moments they were lost in the thick mob of people.

"Mama, are you sure that was wise?" Maria asked her mother, "Are those soldiers to be trusted."

"Maria," Frances said sharply, "I know what I am doing, do you think my daughters are not trustworthy?"

"Well, they are very young and naive, Mama," Eliza quickly cut in, "and this is not the safest environment for innocent girls."

"I'm afraid you're right Eliza," Frances replied worriedly, "should we call them back?"

"Don't worry, Mama," said Janice, "I'm sure we can find them before the banquet."

"We'll split up," Eliza told her sisters, "Maria, you stay with Mama and Jane and I will look for them."

Maria looked annoyed, but she didn't argue with them. Her and her mother decided to make their way to the tables.

Eliza and Janice parted company, agreeing that if they didn't find Lydia and Katerina in ten minutes, they would join Maria and their mother at the tables.

Where could they be, thought Eliza frustratedly after searching for five minutes, they are impossible! They couldn't have gotten that far.

She was so intent on her search that she didn't notice the two people standing to her left, and when she turned left, she smacked into the chest of the taller one.

Like walking into a steel wall, she thought as she moved her head from his chest.

"I'm sorry," she apologized as she slowly looked up into the face of the man she bumped into. She caught her breath as she gazed at him. He was beautiful: his dark hair and eyes first caught her attention, he had the classic good looks- firm chin, aquiline nose, and noble forehead.

He, in turn, was looking at her with an expression of boredom. "That's quite all right," his voice was expressionless. "Come Georgina, we'll have to hurry if we are to catch up with Carolus." He nodded to Eliza before he turned on his heel and started walking in the direction of the tables. Georgina looked at Eliza apologetically before she too turned and ran to catch up with her brother.

Of all the rude, arrogant, contemptuous men! Eliza thought as she looked after them. All I did was bump into him, you'd think from his attitude that I'd destroyed his best toga!

She continued her search, came up with nothing. She slowly made her way back to where her mother and Maria were waiting.

Janice was already there when Eliza finally reached the table. She didn't realize they had company until Janice introduced her to the man sitting beside her.

"Eliza," she said, "this is Carolus Binglius."

Eliza looked into the twinkling blue eyes of his, and was instantly won over. Thank God he's not like his sisters, she said silently. Out loud she said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, are you planning to stay in Rome for a while?"

"Yes," he replied, his eyes resting on Janice for the briefest of moments. Eliza smiled, just the man to make you happy, Janice. This is working out just splendid.

"Eliza, it's so good to see you," the familiar voice of Carlina Binglius made Eliza jump, and look across the table. Things were splendid, she thought as she looked at Carlina, this is going to be a long night.

"Hello Carlina," Eliza replied pleasantly, "fancy meeting you here."

Carlina laughed, "We're expecting Wilhelmus and Georgina Darcius in a few moments," she told them. "Wilhelmus is Carolus' good friend."

"Splendid," Frances exclaimed, winking at her daughters, "He's just the person I'm dying to meet."

I guess he couldn't be that bad, Eliza thought to herself, after all, he's Carlous' friend.

Eliza was awakened from her revelry by a hand tapping at her shoulder. She turned around to behold her dear friend, Charlotta Lucus.

"Charlotta," she exclaimed, "I'm glad to see you here," she murmured as her friend sat down next to her.

"Why is that?" Charlotta asked her quietly.

Eliza nodded towards Carlina who was turned around in her chair, searching for her brother's friend.

"Oh," Charlotte whispered as she smiled knowingly, "I've rescued you from a night of utter boredom."

"That's right," Eliza told her, but before she could continue, Carlina rose from her chair and exclaimed, "There you are Wilhelmus and Georgina, we were beginning to wonder whether you were coming or not."

Eliza peered around Carlina to get a good look at this Wilhelmus Darcius. As soon as her eyes rested on him she let out a deep breath. It's that odious man I bumped into a few minutes ago, she thought disgustedly, this indeed is going to be a very long night.