Ruso and the Root of All Evils

86

‘How can you possibly lecture me about what love is?’ demanded Marcia, planting both hands on the study desk and glaring at Ruso. ‘What do you know about it?’

‘Not a lot,’ agreed Ruso. ‘But how many girls get the chance to nurse a hero?’

Marcia wrinkled her nose. ‘I don’t like ill people.’

‘I’m only asking you to like this one,’ said Ruso. ‘Especially as he’s not out of danger yet.’ He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. ‘I’m not saying you have to marry him tomorrow. But if you get up those stairs right away, smile at Tertius and convince him he’s got something to look forward to, I’ll fix your dowry by the end of next week.’

Marcia paused to consider this. ‘Will you cancel those awful music lessons?’

‘Agreed,’ said Ruso, who had never seen the point of spending money on them anyway.

‘And I want my own bedroom instead of sharing with Flora.’

‘You can have that upstairs room after Tertius has recovered and gone to work at Lollia’s.’

‘What? That’s not a room, it’s a cupboard!’

Ruso folded his arms. ‘That’s my final offer.’

Marcia grinned. ‘All right, then. I would have looked after him anyway, you know.’

He decided to let her enjoy her triumph. Nursing Tertius back to health would be a long, slow job. ‘You don’t happen to know where Tilla is, do you? I can’t remember what she said she was doing this morning.’

Marcia extended a finger to poke him in the chest. ‘That, Gaius, is exactly why you have no right to lecture me about love.’