Roman Discipline

by

Rebecca Ambrose

Copyright Rebecca Ambrose 2011

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter One

Julia, wife of Marcus Tarquinius, was on her way to the house of her friend and confidante, Flavia. It was a beautiful spring morning, and as she was carried in her litter through the streets of Rome, Julia felt happier than she had been for a while. The prospect of unburdening herself to her good friend was pleasant, but the prospect that met her eyes when she peered through the curtains that concealed her from common view was even better.

Amongst the slaves who bore her weight on their shoulders was Alexis, a handsome Greek, who was a recent addition to the Tarquin household. Julia had not had many dealings with him, but his virile presence gave her spirits a lift and now she was admiring his broad shoulders and ox-like neck as he strained to transport her. The slaves were expert at manoeuvring the litter through the muddy, rutted streets but it was never a smooth ride. The small carriage bumped this way and that as unexpected potholes threw the men off balance.

Not that Julia minded. On the contrary, she was enjoying the experience immensely. Sitting cross-legged on the cushions, with her heel tucked into her crotch beneath her under-tunic, she found the jolting sway delightfully stimulating. The sight of Alexis with sweat glistening on his brown nape was only increasing her libido to the point where she was wrapped in a delicious, erotic glow. She dreamed of possessing him as completely as a mistress could possess a slave, but she needed Marcus' permission for that and these past few weeks her husband had been in quixotic mood. That was one of the things she wanted to talk to Flavia about.

They passed the round temple of the Vestas, where a young relative of Marcus had recently been chosen to tend the flame, then on towards the Palatine district. Soon the litter stopped before the sumptuous town house belonging to Flavia's family. Nearby were some jewellers shops and Julia was tempted to linger, but she knew that her friend would be setting out for the baths soon and she didn't want to miss her.

'Help me out!' she called as the litter was set down, directing her words to Alexis. One of the other slaves came forward but she waved him away. 'No, him!' she insisted.

Alexis turned and gazed at her with his dark, liquid eyes. Julia felt her insides somersault. How wonderful it would be to subject him completely to her will, to make him pleasure her in as many ways as she could invent! But he belonged to Marcus. Although she was capable of enjoying herself with other slaves, her husband might not allow such familiarity with Alexis. That only made him all the more desirable.

Julia put out her hand and he took it firmly, sending wild eddies of lust spiralling through her like autumn leaves in the wind. Her grip was equally strong as she levered herself up from her cushions and stepped daintily out. Alexis braced himself as she almost stumbled, putting out his other hand to steady her, and for a few brief seconds he held her in a half embrace.

She pretended to be affronted by the familiarity. 'That will do! I asked you to help me out, but I am not a cripple!'

Julia enjoyed seeing his abashed look, the sweeping lashes downcast to hide the shame in his eyes. Close enough to smell the intoxicating musk of his fresh sweat, she was near to swooning as she picked up the skirt of her stola and walked with determined strides through the portals of the building into the inner courtyard, where a slave immediately stepped out to bar her way.

'Tell Flavia that her friend Julia is here,' she told the swarthy creature, who bowed and sped off in the direction of the private rooms.

Julia sat on a stone bench and relaxed. A fountain played in a small pool nearby and tubs of greenery gave the place a hint of natural beauty, reminding Julia of her country villa. By the time Flavia appeared, perfectly coiffed and made up, she was in a good mood.

'My dear, how delightful to see you!' the mistress of the house exclaimed, extending her arms as she approached. The women embraced then settled on the bench together. It was in a shady corner and fairly secluded, so they felt free to gossip.

'Do you like my new stola?' Flavia asked at once, lifting up the hem to display the exquisite embroidery. Purple grapes and yellow ears of corn were linked with golden threads.

'Exquisite!' Julia murmured. 'Did the good ladies of Elba make it for you?'

'Of course! But that's not all I purchased recently. I can hardly wait to tell you . . . But listen to me, rattling on! Did you have a good journey? When we had that storm last night I thought of you, wondering if your litter would make it through the streets this morning.'

'Oh, I have an excellent team of bearers.' Julia's heart starting thudding as she thought of Alexis once again. She lowered her voice. 'One in particular! He's our newest acquisition, a gorgeous Greek. I shall die if Marcus doesn't let me have him! All the way over I was in a state of utter fascination watching him.'

'Fascination?' Flavia's brown eyes twinkled naughtily at her. 'Don't you mean "frustration"?'

Julia laughed. 'That too! You know how it is, when the litter throws you around you can get quite turned on. Especially if you sit in certain positions.'

Flavia was looking at her unbelievingly. 'Is that all you do, just sit there?'

It was Julia's turn to look incredulous. 'What do you mean?'

'Are you saying you don't . . . you know, pleasure yourself? Ye Gods, I couldn't endure a long journey in one of those things otherwise. The sight of those virile men huffing and puffing would be enough to make me scream if I couldn't do anything about it.'

Slowly her meaning sunk in. 'Pleasure myself? You mean, with my fingers?'

'Well, I suppose you could if you kept the curtains tightly drawn. But there are better ways. Actually that reminds me of what I was going to tell you. Wait here a minute.'

She left Julia feeling bemused and not a little excited. The idea that she might no longer have to suffer those pangs of desire without some relief was thrilling, but what on earth was Flavia getting at, exactly? It was all most confusing.

Soon her friend returned, with something hidden in the folds of her skirt. She looked around cautiously then drew back the fine white linen to reveal a fine roll of chamois leather, about nine inches long and very thick. It was oiled and smelt faintly of lavender. She offered it to Julia who took it in her hand. It felt both soft and firm.

'What's this?'

'Don't tell me you've never seen one before! It's a dildo, of course.'

'A dildo!'

Julia had heard of such things but never seen one. 'Where did you get it?'

'At the shoemaker's. They call it a "little slipper" because it slips in so easily!'

The women giggled so loudly that a slave passing at the other end of the colonnade glanced in their direction. Hastily, Julia hid the object in the folds of her skirt.

'I use it in my litter, it's so easy!' Flavia explained. 'You just put it inside you at the start of the journey and squeeze it with your muscles, just as if it was a real cock in there. I can come three or four times travelling from one district to another. It definitely relieves the monotony!'

'I'd love one like this,' Julia crooned. There was no-one in sight now so she stroked it against her cheek, feeling its softness. 'Was it very expensive?'

'Not at all.' Her friend's face brightened. 'Tell you what, why don't you keep that one? It will make a nice present. I can easily get another made for myself.'

'Are you quite sure?'

Flavia nodded. 'You can make use of it on the way home. Then you'll be in a sweeter mood for your husband!'

Her words made Julia's heart sink, but she did her best to look cheerful. 'Thanks so much, Flavia. I'll have to think of some present in return now.'

'How about this handsome Greek, when you've finished with him?'

'I don't know if I'm going to get him myself, yet. To be honest, Marco has been very short with me lately. I'm sure there's something on his mind, and I'm afraid it has to do with me. He looks at me so oddly sometimes. You don't think he wants a divorce, do you?'

Flavia looked serious now. Divorce was a real possibility when patrician alliances were formed to cement ties of business and politics. Marcus's father had recently quarrelled with Julia's in a very public debate. That, in itself, might be enough to get the marriage dissolved, especially since Julia had produced two sons and might now be regarded as expendable.

'I hope not, for your sake,' Flavia said at last.

Julia sighed. 'It's so long since he came to my bed and I miss our lovemaking, terribly. We were very suited you know, both of us randy creatures. When we were first married we were at it day and night, but for the past year or so he's been going to other women. Not that I mind that – a man must have his pleasures – I just want him to look my way sometimes too.'

'Oh Julia! But can't you look elsewhere yourself? Not many men expect their wives to give them a good time, you know. We're supposed to be brood mares, that's all. Most men have no more use for their wives after they've produced an heir, and you've more than done your duty in that department.'

'I know, we have the regulation "heir and a spare." But it was always different between Marcus and me. Ours was a love match at the beginning when he discovered that I liked sex as much as he did. You know me, Flavia, I've never given a fig for convention and I believe our bodies are there to be enjoyed.'

'Me too! I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. Things go up and down between a husband and wife, that's only natural.'

'But before the boys came along he couldn't keep his hands off me. Do you think I've lost my figure, is that it?'

Flavia glanced down her curvaceous body with a wry smile. 'I've seen you at the baths, dear, and there's no other woman of your age can hold a candle to you. Your breasts are as firm as when I first knew you, and you've hardly put on any weight. Lucky thing!'

'But I can't compete with a fourteen-year-old girl. Or a boy! I've no proof, but I suspect that Marcus sometimes goes the Greek way. It's no reflection on his manhood or anything, he's just sexually curious, that's all. And some of those Greek boys are so very pretty. I couldn't blame him if he did go for a spot of pederasty every so often.'

'Don't talk like that! You're only torturing yourself.'

Julia stroked the soft dildo in her lap abstractedly. 'I know, but I can't help myself. Something's going on in Marcus's mind and I'm afraid it will turn out to be the worse for me.'

'Try not to worry, dear. It may just be business affairs on his mind. You know how busy they are at the Senate, with elections afoot. Do you think Marcus stands a chance of being elected consul?'

'Not this year. He says he's spent too much time out on the estate and not enough hobnobbing with his peers. But I expect it will come round to him in time. I've always wanted to be a consul's wife.' She bit her lip, fighting back tears. 'Perhaps I never shall be now!'

'Nonsense, Julia! Pull yourself together. I'm sure you're worrying about nothing.' Flavia rose to her feet. 'Look, I have to go to the baths soon. Are you coming?'

'Not today, I have to sacrifice. Perhaps Venus will listen to my prayers.'

'She's always listened to mine! Now tuck that little pacifier into your skirt and let me escort you to your litter. I'm dying to clap eyes on this handsome Greek of yours!'

'Not mine, Marcus's!' Julia muttered sourly, but she hid the dildo in her skirt and followed her friend out through the arched doorway to the waiting litter.

Alexis fluttered his lids at the two women as they approached and Flavia nudged her friend, making her stifle a giggle. Julia looked him up and down as he held the curtains open for her to get in. His impassive, olive-skinned face regarded her with an inscrutable expression which drove her wild with curiosity about him. She loved the solid meat of his shoulders and upper arms, the skin tanned with lifelong exposure to the hot Mediterranean sun, and he had a very shapely pair of legs with well-developed calves. His tunic showed just a stippling of black hair on his chest that, as far as she could tell, was as finely moulded as a breastplate in burnished copper.

'I see what you mean!' Flavia murmured in her ear as she prepared to enter the litter.

Julia hitched up her skirts, showing a few more inches of ankle than was proper, but Alexis gave no sign that he had noticed. He bowed when she was seated on her cushion and adjusted the curtains, concealing the world from view, but before the men had taken up their positions in the shafts she bent forward and opened the curtains a little so that she could see the handsome Greek. Then, as the litter was hoisted into the air, she pushed her hand through the side curtain and gave Flavia a fluttering wave.

Soon the swaying rhythm of the litter reminded Julia of her secret and she drew up her skirt and underskirt, pushing the smooth dildo right in under her loincloth. She jiggled it around until it found the entrance to her quim. Finding it already wet and inviting, the dildo slipped straight in as if it had a will of its own.

With the leather cock substitute filling her up almost completely, Julia sat back on the cushion with a sigh of contentment and began to squeeze in a rhythmic fashion with her internal muscles, sending sharp ripples of arousal through her lower regions. Whenever the men stumbled and the litter lurched to one side the shock produced an involuntary spasm that gave her even more pleasure. Letting her sex muscles do their work of building up a climax, Julia allowed her hand to travel beneath her cloak to find the hard bead of her nipple, clearly delineated beneath the fine linen of her stola and breastband. She tweaked it firmly, making herself gasp aloud with the sudden boost to her libido, and wondered whether Alexis had heard her.

Through the crack in the curtains she could see the slave toiling away on her behalf, the veins on his neck standing out like plant stems and the sweat beginning to run down the smooth skin of his neck. How she'd love to lick up that salty secretion! There were other things she'd like to do to him too. Her imagination stripped off the short tunic and loincloth. So far she hadn't managed to catch a glimpse of him naked, and her curiosity about the size and shape of his parts was overwhelming. Judging by the rest of him his penis would certainly be well formed, but you could never tell exactly how big a man's dick would be until you saw it in full flower.

At the very thought of gazing on his manhood Julia felt her body respond with a surge of erotic energy that left her longing for a swift conclusion. She began to rub her demanding clitoris beneath her garments, feeling the hard little nub throb with increased energy as it was stimulated back and front. Soon she was clenching her thighs to add to the friction and the effort was bringing her out in beads of perspiration.

The combined efforts of her fingers and muscles brought the longed-for result and her body was wracked with the most exquisite feelings. Spasmodic waves of bliss coursed through her with abandon over and over again until she slumped, quite exhausted, against the silken cushions. For a few seconds she was in a swoon, but when she came to the dark head of Alexis could be seen bobbing away beyond the curtains and making her smile with satisfaction. At last she'd had her secret revenge on him for making her so worked up!

Julia spent the rest of the journey planning how she might wreak an even greater revenge on the man who had held her in torment from the moment he arrived in the Tarquin household. There wasn't time for another orgasm, however much as she would have liked one, since she didn't want to arrive home in a state of unseemly disarray. Taking her ivory comb out of her little bag she ran it through her hair, avoiding the pins, and patted her cheeks with a swansdown puff dipped in powder, to freshen her appearance.

It was as well she did. The minute she descended from the litter a slave ran up, telling her that the master wished to see her in his office.

'What, right away?' she frowned, fearing the worst.

'Yes. He has to go to the Senate and cannot wait much longer.'

What urgent business did Marcus have with her? The fears that had beset her for weeks now returned in full force as Julia entered the house and made her way to the room that her husband used as an office because of its proximity to the street. The sound of the fountain played in her ears as she walked along the shady colonnade then tapped on his door.