It had been, Marcellus reflected, rather a dull evening.

He was sat on his bed in his room at his parents’ house, with his back against the wall and one leg bent at the knee on which his chin rested.

He’d brought Uncle Quintus back with him and his adoptive father joined the impromptu party that his mother had organised to celebrate his return.

Marcellus’ mother was a beautiful woman. Elegant, refined, extremely clever, and generous to a fault, her hand had been sought by many in her youth. Her father had given it ultimately to the man he felt she would be most happy with (something rather unusual by the standards of most Roman aristocrats). And throughout all their years of marriage Aemilia Lepida had never once regretted her father’s decision.

The guest-list, aside from Quintus was made up of those residing in the Claudii Marcelli domus. With two other notable exceptions: Marcus Junius Silanus Torquatus, proconsul, and his wife Aemilia Paulla, the great-granddaughter of Augustus. For as well as being the descendant of the late Princeps Aemilia Paulla was Aemilia Lepida’s neice and therefore Marcellus’ cousin.

Th rest of the company consisted of Marcellus’ father, Gaius Claudius Marcellus, his oldest brother (another Gaius Claudius Marcellus), his oldest brother’s wife Junia Silana, the third of his sisters-in-law Calpurnia Pisonis (the wife of his third brother Marcus), and his younger sister Claudia Marcella.

The conversation had been polite, all references to the emperor and a certain knight had been avoided. In fact the only politics discussed at all had been at the instigation of Brother Gaius, one of this year’s praetors.

Marcellus hadn’t spoken to his brother for four years but it was clear that he had lost none of his energy or passion for administration. There was nothing Gaius Claudius Marcellus the younger liked better than good hard work. And the praetorship had plenty of that.

Gaius’ eyes lit up when he was talking about his affairs at the praetor’s tribunal. Marcellus Snr beamed with pride. Torquatus and Uncle Quintus looked on approvingly. Lucius Marcellus yawned and turned his attention to the women.

He had met Junia before, her marriage to Gaius had taken place shortly before Marcellus had set out for Thrace. A plain and simple women her looks didn’t hold a candle to those of her mother-in-law but she was filled with an abundance of good sense and it was clear that there was a great deal of affection between her and her husband – all the more since the month before their union had been blessed with its first child: a daughter.

Aemilia Paulla was a very different character. Possessing an acerbic wit and a vivacious personality the great-granddaughter of Augustus loved the social scene of Rome yet mocked it mercilessly. Her husband loved her but disapproved of her outspokenness. Marcellus enjoyed her company immensely but she was off-form tonight.

He usually enjoyed his sister’s company as well. Just turned seventeen Claudia Marcella was not yet betrothed but expected to be married in the not too distant future. Like her mother before her she knew that it would be her father who chose her husband. She was mature enough to accept this: it was the way things were and had always been. And as well as inheriting Aemilia Lepida’s temperament they also shared a strong physical likeness, both being slender, and having pale skin yet dark hair with deep blue eyes (it was Marcellus who was the odd one out, looking like neither of his parents, being taller still with fair hair and ice blue eyes). She was a true beauty. The whole family adored her – and she wasn’t above exploiting that. She also teased Marcellus repeatedly.

In fact, the only individual Marcellus hadn’t met before was the third of his sisters-in-law (the second, Aurelia Cotta, didn’t live with the family and was, like her husband, out of Rome). Another beauty, but of a very different kind. Extremely shy, Calpurnia Pisonis, had only been married to Marcus Claudius Marcellus a year earlier, making her the same age as Claudia. Her husband, who was utterly devoted to her, had unfortunately been forced to spend most of his time since the ceremony serving in the provinces. At present he was in Asia Province as the quaestor to his uncle, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Calpurnia was therefore staying with her husband’s family. Rather a sorry situation considering the speed of their marriage and her chronic shyness. Marcellus could though see the attraction. Not as tall as either Aemilia or Claudia, Calpurnia had what could only be described as a figure to die for. Curves in all the right places, wide lustrous brown eyes – doe-like – and full, soft, lips. She was, Marcellus mused, ravishing.

That didn’t stop the evening from being dull though.

Marcellus liked his family. He loved his sister and his mother particularly, but a simple family meal and idle conversation didn’t excite him. Family was enjoyable in small doses but Marcellus had found out that even five hours of enforced chit-chat and politeness was too long.

The dinner became even more tiresome when his own marriage prospects were discussed. Claudia had started it off to annoy him and all the women picked up on it – knowing that it annoyed him. His mother had suggested this Valeria Messalina and that Licinia Crassa. Aemilia Paulla had put forward a Calvisia Sabina and an Arruntia. And Junia Silana had added a certain Asinia Galla and the possibility of an Antistia Veta.

What had started off as an interesting morning and developed into an enjoyable afternoon had descended into one dull evening.

At that point Marcellus had made his excuses, left what could only very charitably be called a party and collapsed on his bed.