And so, on the morning Gaius left to go hunting, Julia sought the temple of Juno. Her maid Charis complained about walking all the way, but ungainly as she had become, Julia was sure the jolt of a wagon or the sway of a litter would have made her queasy again.
Nor did she mind when the eunuch who watched the door told her she must wait until the priestess should have time for her, for the interior of the temple was dim and cool after the brightness and dust of the street outside, and she was quite content to sit there for a time, gazing up at the painted statue.
Domina Dea . . .she prayed, I thought it would be so easy. But the slaves gossip about women who have died in childbirth when they think I cannot hear. I’m not afraid of that, Goddess, but what if my baby should die? What if I am like my mother, who bore only one child who lived beyond a year? My father has political power and Gaius can fight battles. But the only thing that I can do is give them a legitimate heir. She pulled her veil across her face so that no one could see that she was weeping. Help me to deliver a healthy son . . .please, Goddess, please!
She started as the eunuch touched her shoulder, then wiped her eyes and followed him to the inner chamber, ignoring the nagging pain in her lower back.
Juno’s high priestess was a woman of middle years, her face painted to look younger, whose hard eyes silently priced Julia’s jewels and gown. But she greeted Julia with an effusive warmth that sparked lively caution in the girl.
“You are worried about the birthing.” The woman patted her arm. “And it is your first, so it is only natural that you should be afraid . ..”
Julia pulled back a little, eyeing her warily. Didn’t the woman understand that it was not for herself that she feared?
“I want a son,” she began, and coughed at the wave of scent as the priestess bent closer.
“Of course you do. And if you make an offering, the Goddess will help you.”
“What kind of animal should I buy for the sacrifice?”
“Well, dear —” The woman looked down at her rings. “We really have enough of that sort of thing. But they are building a lavish temple for Isis down near the wharfs, and it would be a pity if Juno should be left looking like a poor relation. Surely she will give you what you want if you offer a generous gift to her shrine.”
Julia stared at her, understanding all too well, and rose heavily to her feet. “Indeed,” she said dryly. “I must go now, but I thank you for your good counsel.”
She turned on her heel, wishing she had the height to make an impressive exit, and stalked from the room, leaving the priestess gaping behind her. As she crossed the threshold, the ache in her back became a stabbing pain that for a moment took her breath away.
“My lady —” Charis reached out to help her.
“Go summon a chair for me,” Julia told her, supporting herself against a pillar. “I believe I will ride home after all.”
Gaius did not return to Londinium until late in the evening, having seen to it that the distinguished guest got the trophy he wanted, and taking leave of him with some relief. When he came in, he discovered all in chaos; for during his absence, Julia had gone into premature labor and borne him a daughter. He received the news from Licinius, who said all had been over for an hour or two, and Julia was asleep.
It was time to toast the birth of his first child, said Licinius, holding out a dusty clay flagon with a Greek seal. It was all too clear, Gaius thought, that his father-in-law had already been celebrating.
“I do not know how to thank you for this great gift,” he said somewhat drunkenly. “I have always wanted to be a grandfather; and if the child is only a daughter, well, I do not mind that; Julia has been as good a child to me as forty sons, and she brought you into our family. No doubt that your next child will be a boy.”