The small group of dinners settled themselves quietly and efficiently. Sextus gently supported Porcia's back as she seated herself at the table, and seeing his step-mother was comfortably settled, he sat down on the couch for his shoes to be removed. Briefly he scowled at Cassius, aware that his wife shared a relationship with a man who his instincts told him was very different from anything a Pompieus might value. Glancing at his step-mother, his discovered her cool gaze upon him, and instantly he erased his scowl.

"I am glad you came Cassius, and I hope you have had soem time to recover from your travel."

"I am well, Cornelia. I see you have done wonders with what I had always been told was quite a rustic fortress."

Sextus snorted. "Meet your fancy tastes, does it Cassius."

Cassius looked at Sextus briefly and detected a hint of jealousy underneath. His nose twitched. "I prefer to think it meets your step-mother's fancy, based on what I have known of her. Her ability to combine classical allegorical imagery with family and Roman heritage tastefully is well appreciated in many quarters. Julia Caesaris was never vulgar, but her choices were always so light and airy, lacking substance. Cornelia's are much bolder, but never vulgar."

"Implying I and my family are vulgar?" Sextus stiffened. Relaxed, Cassius selected an olive and continued.

"No. I have only been speaking of my hostess' tastes, and complimenting her on them. Mine and your father's are something else entirely."

Sextus started to speak, and hesitated. using it as a convenient entrance, Cornelia broke in.

"Sextus, whatever his tastes privately, Cassius has been very successful in the field, and it is of those tastes we need to speak this evening." Sextus subsided, remembering that this was something his father had wanted to happen.,p> Cassius bowed his head at Cornelia. "Domina, I am at your service."

"Money. You need it, I have it, and so do my husband and father."

Cassius remained silent while the main course was served, and Cornelia didn't rush his response. She knew that her part in this as a woman was not going to be easy even for a man of unconventional tastes.

"cat gotyour tongue, or the idea of getting money from a Pompeius too much to stomach for a Patrician like yourself. don't worry, my step-mother once thought it beneath herself too. "

"Sextus," Cornelia said in a cool voice. " I think the only one about to get in the way of an alliance is you."

"it's not like he needs to fear being seen as a client. Oh no, it only ever goes the other way. I see in spite of being the offspring of a Cato even my wife can't resist patrician relations anymore than my could with Julia or you."

Porcia gasped, and even Cassius broke his normal nonchelant look for one of shock.

"Leave us," Cornelia said, in her coldest Patrician voice. The servants all stopped when they heard it, and bowed their heads. Sextus didn't hesitate when he saw his step-mother's face; the materfamilias was speaking with his father's full support.

'I'll just go and spend some time with my father, then," he said in a low voice, getting up quickly, his feet in slippers in one smooth motion.

" I think that's a good idea, son. He needs your company and guidance right now. I will come when we are done."

Nothing was said and no one moved until the sound of Sextus' footsteps died away. The, as if a breeze had come before a passing storm, the tension broke. Everything was more animated, and the servants served with greater lightness in their footsteps. Conversation focused on gossip from Rome before turning to money.