“Well it is about time you woke up!" Pomponia sputtered as she fussed about the room pulling back curtains and opening shutters.
"What a dream I had." Messalina said as she stretched under the bedclothes. "Are the wagons unloaded yet?"
Pomponia laughed. "Hardly, you must have looted all the temples of Greece."
"I only brought back a few things to add some style and substance to this house."
"Well, you will need a warehouse to hold all your treasures. The atrium and gardens are full of crates and the household is a shambles."
Messalina frowned. "I will leave it to you and Macro to arrange things." Messalina sat up in the bed. "I think I will have my breakfast in bed this morning."
Pomponia bowed very slightly. "I'll fetch it at once."
In the hallway Pomponia nearly collided with Macro.
"Did you tell her?" Macro said in a sneering tone.
"No." She snapped. "I'm not a fool, besides it's only slave gossip."
"The slaves at the Villa of Sextus are very reliable. Particularly Hermes." Macro raised a randy brow in memory of his clandestine visit with the pretty boy.
"Well if you want to tell her that Sextus has taken up a new love while she was away and a boy to boot then go right ahead. But you had better put on a gladiators helmet and armor before you do. You know how she throws the furniture around when she is upset." She pinched his cheeks hard with both hand. "We wouldn't want that pretty face or body our lady so loves to be damaged. Now would we booby?" With that Pomponia trounced off to the kitchen.
Macro was not smiling. He had to find a way to let Messalina know that she was wasting her time on that slave merchant, if for no other reason than to keep his lady for himself.

(borrowed with permission from Septimus Felix Domitius) (Editor's note: Several chapters of Suetonius' book on Messalina were lost after the fall of Rome. What follows is what has survived of the manuscript.) As Septimus Felix walked back into town from his long night of sexual feasting upon the young beauties in nearby
Tivoli he noticed a smell in the morning air. A sent he hand not sniffed in more than three weeks. His lips curved into a wickedly crooked smile.
"Ah, Messalina has returned."
He quickened his step until he reached his insula and took the stairs two at a time to his apartments. He flopped down on the bed not bothering to remove the rose garland from around his neck or from atop his head. He slid into a half dream of plotting his re-conquest of the Lady Messalina.

Having just arrived from Rome the night before Septimus Felix Domitius had been exploring the city when he came upon the Thermae Stabianae.
"Well now. This is more like it. Maybe I can interest some country bumpkin in a game of chance?"
As he entered the building he found it sadly lacking in grandeur, being that he was used to the glamour of the immense baths in Rome.
He strolled slowly as a cat on the prowl through the open exercise court and observed a group of young men gleaming with sweat in their workout. "Not too bad. I might find some sport with one or two of them in future." He mused as he walked into the main hall.
As soon as he saw the huge muscled slave leaning by the far door he knew he was in the right place. He pulled the hood of his paenula up over the top of his head to shade his face. "Wouldn't want him to see me just yet.” He walked on past the slave dropping his head so as not to be recognized.
Heading for the changing rooms she heard two women laughing. The door to the ladies tepidarium opened and emitted the merry matrons. The most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon followed them out of the door. Septimus cocked a brow, smiled crookedly and followed her.
As a slave approached her with a wine tray she stopped and took a goblet. He continued to trail her as she moved slowly along the hall. Then she stopped to admire a statue of Hercules.
“I see you have an eye for my ancestor.” Septimus said.
Messalina turned. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes were cold as the snowy Alps.
“I had to leave Rome in a hurry.”
“What, did you cheat the wrong senator this time or did you kill a man?” She turned to walk away. He grabbed her arm to stop her. The sudden stop jostled the wine goblet loose from her fingers and it fell with a loud clatter to the floor. A slave rushed to pick it up. Septimus pushed the slave away.
“Leave us, were talking!” The slave scuttled away.
“Let go of my arm.” Messalina said in a low hard voice.
Septimus grip grew tighter and his smile mean.
“Now Messalina, why did you leave Rome without a word to me? I should be angry with you but I am not. One cannot expect a leopard to change its spots no more than one can expect you to be a faithful lover.”
“If you don’t let go of me I will call for Demetrius.” She twisted in vain as he drew her close to him.
“Ah the mighty Demetrius. Tell me, is he still your favorite cuddle toy?”
“Demet…” His hand stopped her words.
“While walking about this fair town I overheard heard talk of you and a certain slave dealer.” His voice was hard and menacing. “Darling how can you sink so low? A slave dealer yet! Well, he must have something special to make you forget me. But now that I have found you again we shall see who is the better man.”
She glared up at him her eyes watery with angry tears. Messalina bit hard down on the palm of his hand and drew a trickle of blood. Slowly he dropped his hand from her mouth.
“Stay away from me Septimus. We are finished.”
“No my dear. We are not finished. We will never be finished.” He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. With one final jerk Messalina freed herself and walked away.
Septimus lifted his bleeding hand to his lips and tasted the blood as he watched her retreat down the hall.
***********************************
(Septimus is an excellent writer at Vesuvius 79AD. You should visit his Domus for more on him and is randy life. Thank you Septimus for lending me this story. SUETONIUS)

Having risen early and leaving her playthings behind to tidy up her bed Messalina entered the forum on her way to the baths. It was such a beautiful morning she had decided to walk instead of taking the litter. She hummed a tune to match the singing of the birds. Demetrius who accompanied her smiled.
"My mistress seems happy this morning."
"I am Demetrius."
"Did you sleep well then my lady?" He wanted to say more but decided not to.
Messalina, well aware of his feeling for her touched his wrist and smiled. "Yes," she lied. "I am quite rested thank you."
At that moment two over painted ladies from the House of the Dancing Nymph passed. The prettier one jabbed the other and leaned in to whisper something. They both laughed. Messalina paid no mind to them but Demetrius caught a few words.
"...And then she tossed him out. My back is still aching for doing her work for her last night."
Demetrius shot the woman a withering look. The prostitute winked at him and laughed.
Further on as they walked whispers of the entertainments of Messalina's previous night were passed from matron to shopkeeper,” They say Sextus had half the brothel and still could not satisfy his spurned lust for her." from hairdresser to client, "She is just a strumpet if you ask me. I don't care how rich she is." from fishmonger to fishmonger,” I think it is shocking the way she cavorts with her slaves.” from slave to slave "If only I could be in her service, she would need her litter to get about today.”
Messalina smiled to herself as she overheard the not to subtle remarks. By the time she reached the baths all of Rome was talking about her.

After Sextus left that night he found some relief in the brothels of Rome. But with the dawn he was back at Messalina’s door. A slave he had never seen opened the iron peephole and regarded him.
“Sextus Manlius to see the lady Messalina." The slave looked at Sextus and snorted. "Wait here" the slave said. "I'll see if the lady wishes to see you."
Sextus shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. He thought to himself..."I need to apologize to her after bandying about her name last night at House of the Dancing Nymph, I'm certain she has heard about it. It's not that I said anything negative about her but a true gentleman would not have mentioned her name at all. I was in my cups and a man in his cups usually doesn't act reasonably. And if that bitch Pomponia even looks at me I swear I'll... The slave then opened the door and said, "The lady will see you but you will have to wait. While you're waiting Pomponia will see to your needs." With that Sextus sighed, dropped his head and muttered an expletive.

As Sextus was lead into the reception room by the slave he looked about for signs of Macro and Apollonius. But they were nowhere to be seen. When the slave opened the door to the room Sextus realized that he was getting somewhat better hospitality than the night before. This was the very best of the reception rooms. Fine frescoes adorned the walls and beautiful Greek furniture was arranged in pleasing groups. Soft perfume filled the air from scented oil lamps. How extravagant to burn them in the day he thought. But then Messalina was anything by ordinary even in how she ran her villa. At least for now things looked good. But still there was Pomponia to come and what hell would she bring with her.
A soft breeze blew in through the open windows to the garden. It was unseasonably warm for February and smelled of the sea. There was soft laughter from somewhere deep in the house. Sextus rose from the couch, went to the window and looked to see if he could find the source of the merriment.
Across the garden the purple drapes at the windows of Messalina’s apartments moved slightly in with the caressing winds from the west. Now a deep toned laugh floated across the garden to him. He watched the curtains billow and imagined what had gone on behind them the night before. He was sure it was more enticing than what he had experienced in his drunken folly at Phil’s with those two painted nymphs. Just the thought of Messalina, and those two magnificent slaves made his temples pound with rising blood. What combinations they might have made and how much more interesting if he had been a part of it?
He was about to turn back to explore the fine accoutrements of the reception room when suddenly the purple drapes of her apartments were thrown open. There in the window stood Macro naked, his masculine beauty stunned Sextus. What a gladiator he would make. Gladiators were the most voracious lovers, or so he heard. Macro said something Sextus could not make out and then from the darkness of the room came another new laugh.
There was movement further within the recesses of Messalina’s apartments. A body rose from a bed. Sextus strained to get a better look.
“You know what happens to boys who peek where they shouldn’t?”
Sextus turned to see Pomponia entering with a wine tray. She was smiling and in her usual unkind way.
He stepped away from the window and crossed half way back to his couch. “I was admiring the gardens. They are the most beautiful in…”
“You were wondering what happened in my mistresses bed last night.” Pomponia set the tray down and poured a goblet of wine. She picked it up, a splendiferous goblet of gold and walked to meet him. She held it out to him and cocked her head to one side. “I added something to the wine to ease your pains from last night.” Her left eyebrow shot up along with a crooked smile.
Sextus looked at the goblet. She wouldn’t dare.
“Go on take it. It’s not poisoned. After all you know what happens to slaves who kill masters.”
Sextus took the wine and hazard a tentative sip.
“If I wanted to kill you I would not use poison. Too easily traced. There are other ways a slave can kill and not be caught.”
The wine was seasoned with cloves and honey. It tasted good. Sextus took another sip and sat down putting a serving table between him and Pomponia. In this position of power he felt more at ease with her. Why had he allowed her talk to him in such a familiar manner?
“Why do you let a slave talk to in this way?”
His eyes shot up to hers. She must be a witch she could read him so easily.
“Why do you hate me so Pomponia? I mean you no harm. As a matter of fact I admire you.” He lied with his smoothest tones like a Pan’s pipe on a warm evening.
Pomponia smiled. “Hate you? I don’t hate you master.” The way she said master was full of insolent pity. “I just don’t trust you. I have seen your kind before. Smooth as olive oil on the back of a snake. But you are no match for her. I don’t hate you I pity you. She is the favorite of the Emperor. Did you know that?”
“Pity!” Sextus laughed and took another deeper sip of the soothing wine. “I know my way around women both highborn and base. Save your pity for boys green off the farm. I have weathered greater storms than this passing fancy from the imperial garden.” He winked at Pomponia. “I am only having fun and when it is over I will go my jolly way.” He jumped up spilling a bit of wine and moved toward Pomponia who was tiny next to his imposing figure.
“Who knows, my sweet old nurse, my taste runs wide. I may bed you as well before is over.”
Pomponia turned a peculiar shade of puce and looked as if she might explode.
“Humph!” she sputtered and in a fluster of homespun she turned and nearly ran for the door. Sextus low laugh filled the room.
Pomponia turned to face him. “The laugh is on you. My mistress left early today to go to the baths. She won’t be back for hours.” She then stormed out of the room uttering something vile in her native tongue.
Sextus raised his brows. Hum? Then who was in Messalina’s bed? Should he sneak across the house and explore the situation, or would it be wiser to head off to the baths and play another round with the Lady of many surprises?

"You are the most beautiful woman in the Empire." Sextus said. Messalina smiled "You are beautiful. I have heard those words so many times and in so many tongues. But from your lips the words seem as if they had never been spoken before by any man."
Sextus scooted closer to her on his couch. "I have said those words many times and never knew their meaning until tonight."
Messalina dropped her gaze from his and a pensive smile weaved an irresistible spell. Caught by her sudden sad expression Sextus rose from his couch and moved to hers. He took her swiftly into an embrace and devoured her lips in a hot urgent kiss. Messalina fell into the whirling void of his passion with out resistance.
Then she gently placed her hands on his chest and pushed him slightly away. Her fingers delighted in the feel of his muscles under his tunic as she looked up into his fever ravaged eyes.
"Be careful Sextus. I am an evil woman. I need the distraction of many men to keep me level in this mad world we live in."
"Your evil is as intoxicating as your perfume. You are the perfection of Venus herself."
"I am no goddess, I am the gate to Hades and this way lies ruin." She enfolded him and her lips sucked forth his soul. Her hands moved down over his abdomen. "And you have the key that will unlock the gate."
"Enough words." He covered her mouth with his and took back is soul.
The dancers swirled about the two as they descended into the oblivion of lust. As the kiss ended Messalina rose from the couch and drew him up with her to lead him toward her bedroom. Macro followed and as he passed Apollonius he took him by the hand. In an instant Macro had shed his clothes and Apollonius who now was well trained in what was expected of him did the same.
Sextus saw none of this being that he was enthralled with what he followed. Messalina turned to him at the door.
"And now I must say goodnight."
Sextus was stunned. "Goodnight?"
"Yes, goodnight."
"But..."
She stopped his words with a finger over his lips. "You will enjoy me more if you wait a while." His face fell. "Just a little while."
She turned and walked into the dimly lit hall and her two slaves followed their mistress into the shadows. At the far end Messalina opened her bedroom door and there, silhouetted in the light from her room she turned and kissed Macro and then Apollonius. Macro kicked the door shut with the heel of his foot. The hard final sound of it echoed through the villa.
Sextus stood in mortal stillness. What had just happened?
A brittle laugh came from the other side of the dinning room. He turned to see Pomponia standing next to Demetrius. There was no pity for his plight in her eyes.
Demetrius pointed the way out. Sextus smiled and shook his head. He had met his match.
At the door Demetrius bowed. "My lady has instructed me to tell you that you are always welcome here."
Sextus looked back into the house. "What a woman she is."
Demetrius who had seen many men come and go and many slaves take his place in the arms of the one woman he loved smiled wryly. "She is not a woman, my lord. She is a cat."
"A cat?"
"She enjoys playing with her catch before she kills."
Sextus looked at the serene face of Demetrius and understood the servant and his position. With genuine kindness he patted the slave on the shoulder.
"Goodnight Demetrius."

Pomponia entered the small reception room. She had chosen the smallest of the guest rooms to house Sextus until Messalina's arrival. She was not about to show him the best no matter how much Messalina had insisted that she did.
She bowed curtly. "My lady will be with you shortly." She unbent from the bow and gave him the cold fish eye.
"You must be Pomponia?" Sextus said in low melodic tones laced with a tinge of humor.
Pomponia nodded.
"You don't like me very much do you?"
"Humph!" Pomponia sputtered.
"Well don't despair. You may grow to like me yet."
"If you win her over you are a magician."
Messalina stood in the doorway resplendent in a white stola studded in crystals. Her neck and ears glittered in gold.
Sextus rose to greet her. "My Lady Messalina you are a vision of beauty."
She extended her hand to be kissed.
"Venus herself would give her place in heaven to be as beautiful as you."
"By the gods." Pomponia whispered just loud enough for them both to hear and then turned to lead the way to the dinning room.
Messalina rested her hand over his as they followed Pomponia across the Atrium. "You flatter me, but I dare say I prefer Rome to heaven on this night."
"What an unusual necklace. Egyptian isn't it?"
"Yes, do you like it?"
"Very."
"And I like what you are wearing, Greek isn't it?"
As they approached the dinning room Macro and Apollonius stood on either side of the curtained doorway. They pulled the shear silk drapes aside to let the couple pass.
"I have a fondness for almost all Greek things."
Messalina smiled as she pointed to his couch next to hers. "Pity then that I am not a Greek thing."
As they reclined Sextus noticed a gold net suspended from the ceiling. Woven into it were hundreds of roses. The net began to sway slightly and as it did a light rain of rose petals fell onto them. The goblets and plates were of solid gold encrusted with semi-precious stones. To the right of them behind another shear curtain that opened out onto the gardens a small band of musicians played softly under the illumination of suspended lamps. These lamps were held aloft on silver rods and moved slowly to form arabesques of different the shapes of the constellations.
"What a fabulous spectacle." Sextus said as Macro poured a goblet of Setinian for him.
Messalina looked about the room and smiled. "One is so limited to entertain in style on such short notice."
"And on top of all this, the fabulous Messalina."
"The name of Sextus Manlius is not unknown to the world. As we speak you are famous throughout Rome and the Empire beyond."
Messalina clapped her hands and a beautiful nearly nude male dancer entered and took his place before them to perform his number. As he moved seven lovely girls materialized from behind the columns that lined the room. Sextus was dazzled.
Then the food arrived.