Very relaxing, to start with

The young women looked uncertainly at each other, as though hoping someone else would take the lead. Titus watched them with sardonic amusement, while enjoying the view of their nubile bodies. The twins were particularly dainty, while Deirdre's fuller breasts and lush thighs were the essence of womanhood.

Barbarian womanhood, her reminded himself.

Finally, as though in frustration with the dithering of the twins, Deirdre stepped forward, climbing into the bath with him. She made a gesture and said something rapid in her own language and one of them stepped behind Titus and started to knead his shoulders and neck, while the other climbed into the bath on his other side, her skin flushing as she cast glances at him.

"Which are you, girl?" Titus asked the one in the bath.

"Regan my lord Legate," she murmured shyly.

"Then wash me Regan," he commanded. She gave a nervous nod and picked up a soft cloth and started to gently rub the skin of his neck and chest.

"Press harder girl. I'm not made of glass. I've been long days at war, and it will take a scrubbing to get the dirt out."

On his other side Dierdre had been much more effective, lifting his arm to wash it, rubbing her cloth over his muscles. Titus smiled at her.

"You've done this before."

"No my Lord. But I have washed horses after they have run, and they have no patience with useless gentleness."

"Indeed? Do you compare me to a horse then girl?" She blushed and lowered her eyes.

"No my lord, only in that you are strong and powerful," she said quietly as she rubbed his chest. Titus smiled at her and reached out a hand to caress her breast, cupping the ripe flesh in his hand and kneading it gently. She gave a soft gasp and bit her lip, blushing as she looked down. He gave her breast a gentle pat and released it, lying back to enjoy the ministrations of the three Celtic girls.

Titus found himself relaxing in a way he had not since the campaign started. There had been no time for indulgence as long as there was an enemy to pursue and battles to be fought. But he had conquered, and his future was bright with glory and wealth. He half closed his eyes and enjoyed the press of their nubile bodies and the touch of their slender hands.