I managed to find the patience you are supposed to lavish on a child. “We all have quarrels with our relatives, Gaia. Sometimes it matters, but mostly it comes to nothing. When you calm down, and when whoever offended you has had time to do the same, just apologize quietly.”

“I haven’t done anything to apologize for!”

“Neither have I, Gaia-but take my word, with your family, it’s best just to give in.”

She marched past me, head in the air. Encumbered by Nux and the gosling, I could only stand aside. But I leaned over the railing as she reached street level, and within hearing of the litter-bearers (who ought to have known better than to bring her) I ordered her in a fatherly manner to go straight home.

Helena Justina came out to me, as I was watching the litter move off. She regarded me with her fine brown eyes, eyes full of quiet intelligence and only half-hidden mockery. I straightened up, stroking the gosling. It let out a loud, appealing squeak, at which Helena humphed. I doubted that I impressed my beloved too much either.

“You let her go, Marcus?”

“She decided of her own accord.” Helena obviously knew something. She was looking concerned. Immediately I regretted my rebuff. “So what wonderful job from this Gaia have I just cruelly turned down?”

“Didn’t she tell you? She thinks her family want to kill her,” said Helena.

“Oh, that’s all right then. I was worried it might have been a real emergency.”

Helena raised an eyebrow. “You don’t believe it?”

“Granddaughter of a chief priest of Jupiter? That would be a highprofile scandal, and no mistake.” I sighed. The litter had already vanished, and there was nothing I could do now. “She’ll get used to it. My family feel like that about me most of the time.”