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“I wish he would choose me tonight!”
“Nay, me!”
They were arguing about it now as Esme stood there, stunned with what she was hearing. She looked around, listening to other conversations, and realizing that every woman here was speaking of The Eagle. They had their money out, in some instances their coin purses held high, badgering the sentries at the gate and demanding The Eagle.
Her Eagle…
Esme was starting to feel sick.
“What are they speaking of?” she asked, turning to Lilia and Isadora. “Are they… does he actually take money from them?”
Isadora and Lilia were looking at her in various stages of grief. Neither wanted to answer, yet she was asking a direct question. It was Isadora who finally spoke.
“Titus is very popular,” she said. “He has no woman, no wife. He is very handsome. Surely such a man is not expected to remain… celibate.”
Her words were like a blow to Esme’s gut. She couldn’t breathe. But nothing Isadora had said was shocking or untrue.
Surely such a man is not expected to remain celibate.
It occurred to her why, exactly, these women were here.
“Then he takes money from these women in exchange for… companionship,” she said quietly.
Isadora looked at Lilia, who gazed back at her fearfully. “Esme, it isna as simple as that,” Isadora said, wondering how on earth she was going to explain this. “The Ludus Caledonia is modeled after the gladiator schools of Rome, and in ancient times, wealthy women paid well tae have the company of the finest gladiators. Many of the other warriors here do it, too, but they all have free will. They are not forced intae anything. Sometimes they do it for no money at all, but sometimes… they do.”
“And Titus does.”
“Ye’ll have tae ask him, sweetheart. If it matters tae ye, ask him.”
Esme was looking at her as if Isadora had just ripped all of her guts out and left them on the ground. There was anguish in her expression that was difficult to describe. Nay, she didn’t have to ask Titus anything.
She already knew.
Before she could reply, a great cry abruptly went up from the crowd and they turned to see Titus coming up the iron steps towards the gate. Women began screaming, throwing money and articles of clothing at him, calling his name.
Eagle!
Eagle!
Esme was rooted to the spot, unable to move as he came to the gate and the sentries opened it. Suddenly, he was being rushed by women who were throwing their arms around his neck, pressing their lips against him, and he was slammed back against the gate as the females attacked.
Esme’s last vision of him was with a redhead’s mouth affixed to his.
That’s all she needed to see.
Blinded by tears, she turned away and was immediately swallowed up by the crowd.
“Esme!” Isadora cried. “Esme, wait!”
She started to run after her, but there were too many people blocking her path. Being pregnant gave her pause when she thought about pushing through the crowd. She didn’t want to injure herself or her baby. Beside her, Lilia grasped at her.
“Nay, Issie,” she said. “Tell Titus. If he wants tae go after her, let him. I fear we may only do more damage.”
Isadora was miserable. “I couldna lie tae her,” she said. “She asked me a question and I had tae answer.”
Lilia nodded. “I know,” she said. “’Tis not yer fault. But Titus… damnation, this is his fault.”
Over by the gate, Titus had managed to disengage the women who were grabbing at him, including the one who had laid a big, fat kiss right on his lips. He pushed through them, but it was difficult. Everyone was grabbing at him, trying to hand him money. One woman even ripped her bodice, exposing her breasts to him. But he didn’t look; the only thing he saw was Isadora, waving her long arms at him.
