The family's summer home had been built in the mountains above the city. Cool breezes came up from the bay below and provided welcome relief during the hot months of the summer. Today, however, the fresh winds were doing nothing for the temper of Claudia, the daughter of Brutus.

"I hate her!" Claudia declared to her maid. "I am the eldest child! I should be father's favourite!"

"Yes, domina," Brigid replied. Although she could speak Latin perfectly well, she chose to do so with the accent of her native country. Her mistress liked having a maid from Hibernia; it gave her some cachet amongst the other noble ladies of the city.

"And it is all her fault," Claudia continued. "How dare she marry Quintus! And how dare she - !" The emotion was too much for the Roman lady. She leapt to her feet and screamed in rage. Brigid recoiled, pulling her hands back so they did not become entangled in her mistress's hair and pull it out of shape.

Brigid waited for Claudia to fall silent. "You mean because your sister is pregnant?"

Claudia spun on her toes to face the maid. "Yes. Yes it is." Her tone was cold and calm. "She will give father an heir - something my pitiful husband has failed to do! And I am blamed for this!"

Brigid lowered her head. "If I might make so bold, domina?"

"What?"

"In my country we know of a herb. It is taken by maidens when they wish to ... conceal their indiscretions."

There was a look of horror and revulsion on Claudia's face. "You mean it causes them to abort? That is a sin against the gods! How dare you speak of such a thing in this household!"

"I apologise, domina!" Brigid fell to her knees and clutched at the hem of her mistress's stola. "I did not meant to ... ." Her voice trailed off as she looked up and saw Claudia's expression change.

"Brigid - how effective is this herb?"

"If taken over time, very."

Claudia looked thoughtful. "Rise, slave." Brigid did as she was told. "Would this herb be hard to obtain discreetly?"

"No, domina." Brigid looked around the room to see if anyone was listening. "In fact, it grows here, in the herb garden of this villa."

"Which plant?"

"The short one, with the pretty blue flowers. It grows in clumps, between the stones."

Claudia nodded. She knew the plant well. It had seemed to be an awful weed with use beyond giving a bitter flavour to certain dishes - until now. "Very well. Bring me some of this - what do you call it?"

"In my land we call it 'Lady's Grace', domina."

Claudia gave a thin smile. "Very appropriate."