"Thank you," he agrees, nodding. "I will bring it to you tomorrow."

He could have had an easy life. He'd had the money, the name, the friendships, the clientele, the father, grandfather, ancestors, marriage and family connections. But it was never going to be that way from the moment Tiberius and his supporters died. The Senate had made their choices and their enemy, and he'd been guaranteed he'd need to fight for his entire career, a fight that he'd lost. The letter he'd received had promised a return home if he made the demanded sacrifice, but he'd been about to lose everything he had, and he's still not sure how he hadn't died.

He'd forgotten about the letter until now, distracted by the gifts he'd received. It's still in his pack, which he'd set down to open the box. He's still not sure what, if anything, to do about it, the practicality of the danger of returning to Rome sitting uneasily with the thought of ignoring a request for a sacrifice.

So far, here, he's found home where he can, and Kate Kelly's offer gives him another piece.

"It does not feel right, being without a toga. I appreciate your help."