"Then, after having been widowed for several years, he suddenly fell in love. His new wife, Livia, bore him first a daughter, and Manius was rich enough that there was enough for her dowry. Then Livia bore Manius a son. My cousin determined that the boy would inherit their house in Rome. His wife agreed that there must be no more children, but…"

Kyna laughed. "Cousin Manius dipped his wick one final time, and Quintus was born of their indiscretion," she finished for her husband.

He nodded. "Aye. My cousin hoped to make another small fortune for this last child, but you know, Kyna, how bad Rome's economy has been over these past years. The government is constantly spending more than it has to spend. The legions must be paid. Taxes have risen threefold. The coinage is so debased now as to be worth nothing. My cousin could but support his family. There was nothing to give young Quintus. So, Manius Drusus appealed to me to help him. He offered Quintus as a husband for our daughter. It seemed to me a good idea at the time."

"It was not," his wife said dryly, "and you really should have discussed it with me first."

"I will not marry this Quintus Drusus," Cailin said again.

"You have already told us that several times, my daughter," Kyna said soothingly. "I am certain that your father accepts your decision in this matter, even as I do. The problem remains, however, of what we must do. Quintus Drusus has traveled hundreds of leagues from Rome to come to a new and better life. We cannot send him back to his old one. Your father's honor-indeed, the honor of the whole family, is involved." She furrowed her brow for a moment, and then she brightened. "Gaius, I believe I may have the answer. How old is Quintus Drusus?"

"Twenty-one," he told her.

"We will tell him that we have decided Cailin is too young to marry at this time," Kyna said. "We will imply his father misunderstood you. That all you offered was to give Quintus a start in Britain. If Cailin eventually fell in love with him, then a marriage could certainly take place. You did not actually make a marriage contract with Manius Drusus, Gaius, did you?" She looked anxiously at her husband.