Under a Greek Moon

by Carol Kirkwood

  Despite the hard work, Shauna discovered that she loved the rhythm of life at sea. The ship had a completely different feel to when they’d been in port. Somehow, the yacht seemed to come into its own as it cut its way across the Mediterranean. Over the following days, the sea proved an ever-changing chameleon. Some days it was calm and still; on others, the waves would be gently whipped by the wind. It was a far cry from ferry crossings on the turbulent Irish Sea; here the waves had a hypnotic quality, while the sky was always a cloudless azure blue.

  Their route took them via Corsica, where they stayed for one night. Even in that short time, she found herself enchanted by the lively town of Bonifacio. Demetrios had left the yacht for dinner with some business associates, leaving the crew free to amuse themselves for a few hours. The marina was a hive of activity and the other crew members were eager to sample all it had to offer, but Shauna had set her heart on making the long climb up the hill to the thirteenth-century citadel. Having agreed to meet up with the others for drinks later, she set off, enjoying the solitude and marvelling at the unrivalled view out across the harbour.

  When she joined up with the crew in the bar where they were drinking beer and cheap wine, it brought it home to her that she was just passing through. She liked the other crew members, but she wasn’t quite one of them – even if that was how Demetrios saw her. It felt as though she must have imagined the night at the palace with Demetrios and their fairy-tale kiss, but then she remembered the way he’d looked at her and felt a jolt of pleasure. She found herself wondering what he was doing right now. Since that night, she was certain he’d been avoiding her. He no longer spent each day passing backwards and forwards, making his presence felt, exchanging cheerful banter with the crew and getting involved in day-to-day life on the St Helena. These days, he made his way up to the bridge first thing in the morning and stayed there, taking his dinner with the captain and the senior officers in the evening. She thought he must be regretting their night together, and she told herself that was what happened when girls like her got mixed up with men like Demetrios. Rich people didn’t have feelings.

  The next day, Shauna saw even less of Demetrios. Jeremy explained that there was a change to their plans and they weren’t going to be stopping at either Malta or Crete on the way to Ithos as originally planned.

  ‘Demetrios has decided he wants to get back to Ithos.’ Jeremy pushed a hand through his hair. ‘It’s turned everything upside down. Funny, because it’s not like him at all.’

  ‘In what way?’ she asked.

  ‘Don’t get me wrong, Demetrios is demanding and expects everything his way, but he’s not usually capricious. Not like this. Changing the plan at the last minute is not like him at all. And on top of that he’s told me that he’s acting as chief mate on this journey, assisting the captain.’

  Which explained why, when Demetrios did appear, it was on the bridge, directing the voyage with the captain. He looked so absorbed in what he was doing that she commented on it to Chantelle as she helped her prepare the crew’s lunch.

  ‘Well, they are a shipping family. Yes, they are concerned with commerce, but the family have their roots in sailing and his father will want Demetrios to learn about ship life from top to bottom. How can one know about the challenges of running a shipping company without the insider knowledge of how a boat is handled?’

  ‘Do you know why he’s suddenly in such a hurry to get back to Ithos?’

  ‘Probably something to do with the business. The family divide their time between Athens and Ithos. You’ll like it there – it’s very beautiful and unspoiled.’

  ‘So I’ve been told.’ Shauna paused, wondering how to broach the next subject. In the end, she gave up and just blurted it out: ‘Tell me about Sofía Constantis.’

  ‘Oh, so you have had the pleasure of meeting the tigress?’

  ‘She was at the Grimaldi party. I can’t say she was too friendly.’

  Chantelle laughed. ‘She never is. Sofía’s father is determined that she and Demetrios will marry, bringing two of Greece’s shipping dynasties under one roof. If it is good for her father, it will be good for Sofía too – Demetrios is quite the catch!’

  ‘Is that what Demetrios wants?’

  ‘No one knows what he wants, not even Demetrios!’ Chantelle turned the marinated chicken over the open coals – they smelled delicious and Shauna’s tummy rumbled. ‘He’s very good at fending off over-enthusiastic lady friends, but Sofía is different – he won’t have it all his own way there. Mama Theodosis will have been scheming behind the scenes too. Never cross a Greek mother!’

  ‘I’ll try not to,’ Shauna responded.

  ‘Papa Theodosis is the head honcho on paper, but Elana wears the pants. She always gets what she wants.’

  Shauna was silent, thinking about the forces bearing down on Demetrios and wondering what it must be like for a young man with dreams to know that he wasn’t free to pursue them.

  Chantelle seemed to read her thoughts. ‘Demetrios isn’t always so diligent about working for the family business.’ She gave Shauna a sideways glance. ‘I hear you’ve been helping him.’

  Shauna shrugged. ‘Is that what everyone is saying?’ She hated the idea that the rest of the crew might be gossiping about her. ‘It’s nothing really … It’s nice to use my brain occasionally.’

  ‘No one thinks anything. You’re far too … Don’t take offence, but you’re the innocent, sweet type and we all know Demetrios’s tastes run to sultry, tempestuous brunettes, like Normandie. Anyway, Demetrios knows his own mind and won’t be pushed into anything, but he also knows that his family want what’s best for the business. In an uncertain world, there is strength in numbers.’

  Shauna bit her lip.

  ‘Hey,’ said Chantelle, ‘why the frowning face? You’re not getting romantic ideas about Demetrios, are you?’

  ‘Of course not,’ Shauna said. ‘That would be ridiculous!’

  Chantelle looked at her kindly. ‘Listen, chérie, you wouldn’t be the first to get attached to Demetrios, he has that knack of making everyone feel a bit special. But that way only heartbreak lies, I promise you.’

  ‘You’ve got the wrong idea completely,’ Shauna said quickly, taking her plate of Greek salad and skewered chicken to sit alone, thoughtfully eating it on the deck.

  Up above, through the smoky glass of the bridge, she could see Demetrios and Captain Elias poring over their charts.

  He looked up momentarily and Shauna thought he could see her. But instead of giving her a wave he turned away. Her heart sank. Chantelle was right: she’d been a fool to think there was anything in his kiss.

  The following morning, Jeremy tackled her as she was tidying the linen stores.

  ‘Shauna, are you taking those to the master suite? Can you give this telex to Demetrios, he wanted it as soon as it came through – it’s urgent. He’s also asked for coffee, so make yourself useful.’

  The last thing Shauna wanted was to see Demetrios, having convinced herself that he no longer wanted anything to do with her after having fun at her expense. Nevertheless, she couldn’t keep the butterflies from fluttering in her stomach as she approached his suite.

  She knocked but there was no answer. Thinking he was probably having his shower, she left the telex on his desk with the tray of coffee but as she was about to leave the bathroom door opened and Demetrios stepped through from his cabin, a towel wrapped around his hips, both hands towelling his hair. ‘Ah, is that the message I was expecting? I need that coffee, too. Could you pour for me? I’m running a little late.’ He tossed down the towel and sat down on the sofa, completely unselfconscious about his bare chest. Shauna dropped her eyes and focused on pouring him a cup before walking over to hand it to him.

  ‘Sit down. I don’t want you towering over me, it gives you an unfair advantage.’

  ‘You aren’t dressed.’

  ‘You’re being rather prudish. Surely, you’ve seen a man’s chest before?’ He sounde
d irritable and cross.

  ‘Maybe I’ll just leave you to it. I’m sure we both have plenty of work to do.’

  ‘Are you always such a calm, collected beauty?’ he snapped icily. He stared at her, resentful and arrogant.

  Taken aback by the fierceness in his words, she froze. She might be unworldly and unsophisticated and from a humble background, but she deserved some respect. She lifted her chin. ‘I’m an employee. I can’t fight back, as you well know, but I can tell you that I think you’re being rude. If I’m not required here, I will leave.’ She turned on her heel and marched to the door, her heart beating a little faster, roused by the unexpected conflict.

  ‘Stop! Wait.’ He lurched to his feet and intercepted her, standing between her and the door handle.

  She looked up at him, defiantly refusing to be intimidated.

  His face softened and he smiled at her, his brown eyes full of warmth and regret. ‘I owe you an apology. I’m sorry. You’re quite right, perhaps I got out of the wrong side of the bed, as you would put it.’

  Shauna nodded stiffly, still determined to leave the room.

  ‘Please, Shauna, come and sit down with me.’

  She felt herself relent. ‘I’d rather you were dressed first.’

  It was his turn to raise an eyebrow. When he saw her mouth firming into an implacable line, he laughed.

  ‘As you wish, Miss Prim. We must have standards.’

  She bristled at the description; it made her sound staid, dull and boring and everything that her mother wanted her to be, when she wanted to be anything but that. More than ever, she wanted to be one of those tempestuous and beautiful women that he was so taken up with, the ones who wore Chanel and had Bollinger and sex for breakfast.

  When he returned, it was in a pale green linen shirt and navy cotton shorts. ‘Better?’ He enquired, his mouth twisting in barely contained amusement. ‘Do you want anything to eat? There’s plenty there.’

  ‘I had breakfast with the crew. At half-past six.’

  ‘Touché,’ he said, lifting his coffee cup in salute. ‘What would you say if I told you I’d not slept well?’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ She paused before adding, ‘I always sleep exceptionally well.’

  ‘Do you?’ He eyed her. ‘There is nothing that keeps you awake at night?’

  Shauna felt as if he were pulling her into a dangerous force field.

  ‘Surely you have everything you want?’

  ‘You’d think so, but sometimes even those who seem to have everything don’t have the one thing they truly need.’

  ‘And what are you missing?’

  He hesitated, as if about to reveal something, but then he stopped himself and reached out for the message. After reading it, he let out a sigh. ‘I have been very busy these last days. I have been focusing on my father’s business and not able to spend time getting to know you further. I need your help again, Shauna. Will you spare me your time?’

  He seemed so sincere when he said these words, she couldn’t resist. ‘OK, it’s a truce. What do you need my help with. More figures?’

  ‘Not this time. My father wants me to go home to Ithos as soon as possible for family reasons.’ He pointed at the telex. ‘He thinks I have been wasting my time enjoying myself.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘Maybe he is right, though I will keep him waiting a little longer. You can help me with my excuse. I’ll tell him that I have been looking at new avenues for our shipping routes, but I’ll have to show him some proof. You can help me map the routes on these charts.’ He pointed to a pile of papers.

  ‘I don’t know anything about shipping or maps.’

  ‘We can do it together. All you need is a ruler and a steady hand. While we do this, I will show you what a gentleman I can be, you will tell me about yourself and I will tell you about myself; that way we can be friends again – but let’s sit out on the deck to do it.’

  That morning as they pored over the charts, she learned that he’d studied at Harvard, that he’d lived in London for a year, that he’d been to New York many, many times. He learned that she liked living in Manchester, that she’d grown up on the coast and that she’d played Lady Macduff, despite longing for the part of Lady Macbeth, in the recent university drama club performance.

  ‘You need to be more pushy,’ he told her. ‘I think you have to show your hunger – and you don’t. You want everyone to like you. Shy, demure, Shauna. The nice girl.’

  He’d said it kindly, so she didn’t take offence. ‘I’ve always been taught not to push myself forward but to stand up for myself when I need to. It’s difficult,’ she sighed.

  ‘You don’t find it difficult with me.’

  ‘You’re different.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Shauna gazed at him intently, trying to figure out why Demetrios didn’t scare her. She pinched her lips together, honesty forcing her to go on. ‘I think that first time we met … I saw something. Your hopes and dreams. You were open with me and I was open with you … I see you as that person, rather than the playboy prince that you pretend to be.’

  His eyes widened. ‘Shauna, how is it that you seem to see inside my soul? Perhaps you are an Irish witch?’

  ‘We don’t call them witches in Ireland. They’re known as Cailleach and they can cause all sorts of mischief.’ She grinned playfully at him.

  ‘In Greek mythology, we have a goddess of witchcraft called Hecate, who can be both good and evil. Are your Cailleach like that too? Perhaps you can summon one to cast a spell that will save me from my father’s commands and my mother’s temper.’

  ‘Oh dear, is it really so bad?’ Shauna couldn’t help laughing.

  ‘There are days I would give anything just to be an ordinary fisherman, to tend my nets, drink beers with my friends on Ithos … fall in love’ – he looked at her closely – ‘and have a family, just like the men down on Ithos harbour.’

  Shauna looked out over the dazzling sea with sunlight bouncing off the deep sapphire blue of the water. ‘You’d miss this glamorous life.’

  ‘There would be other consolations.’

  When he said things like that it made Shauna’s heart dance in her chest. The more she got to know him, the more she felt that she was falling under his spell, even though she knew she shouldn’t be.

  To her surprise, he reached out and touched her cheek with his fingers, leaning closer until she could smell the sandalwood soap that he used.

  ‘Shauna, would it be so wrong of me to want something that other people take for granted? I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve tried to ignore you these last few days because I can feel you exerting some power over me that I’m unable to resist. Since we kissed, I can’t get you out of my mind. When I lie awake at night, I can see you in my head, your red hair and those green eyes like emeralds.’ He looked at her, and Shauna thought there was a touch of annoyance in his face, as if she were an inconvenience to him.

  A flash of anger reared up in her. ‘How can you keep toying with my emotions this way? You know a girl like me and a man like you … we could never be together.’

  ‘Why not?’ He too was angry now and his eyes flashed with passion. ‘It isn’t so hard to imagine.’

  ‘The prince and the pauper,’ she said quietly, although her heart was pounding so hard in her chest she thought it might leap out at any moment and go frolicking in the sea with the dolphins.

  ‘I don’t give a shit about money.’

  She knew then he was going to kiss her and she knew she wanted him to with every last cell in her body.

  When his lips claimed hers, she felt the delicious electricity touching every nerve end. It seemed the most natural thing in the world, her body like warm wax, moulded to his. She sighed with sheer pleasure. When his kiss deepened, she rose in response, feeling an urgency in her body. And when his hand slid over her breast she was too electrified by the sensation to push it away. Instead that urgent ache between her legs made her arch towards hi
m, wanting more.

  It was only when his hands began tracing small teasing circles along her thighs that she panicked and gasped, ‘Stop,’ and grabbed his wrist. ‘I shouldn’t … this is …’ Her voice shook as she realized how close she’d come to not caring about the consequences. It was horrifying to discover all the Catholic teaching that she’d been brought up with had so nearly been cast aside.

  ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.’

  ‘I’m not frightened.’ Shauna lifted her chin, ‘but we shouldn’t be doing this.’

  ‘You’re very beautiful, Shauna. I think I might be falling in love with you.’

  ‘You don’t mean that. I can’t, Demetrios.’ She stood up and smoothed down her shorts. ‘I need to get back to work.’ With that she ran across the deck and down the stairs without a backward glance.

  Chapter 9

  Shauna threw herself into her work for the rest of the day, avoiding the other crew members and Demetrios. That night, she found that, like him, that she couldn’t sleep. The memory of how she’d felt when he touched her lit a fire in her mind. Luckily, she was distracted as in the morning they would finally be docking in Ithos, and she was eager to see it. Though she knew that matters with Demetrios were complicated beyond measure, she still wanted to see the place that meant so much to him, in the hope it would give her some insight into the real man.

  The yacht was easily the largest in the whole port. It nosed slowly into the furthest berth, which had been specially constructed for the St Helena. As they approached the island, Shauna was aware of Demetrios on the sun deck high above her, but she deliberately avoided looking his way. The island was every bit as beautiful as he’d said. White-painted buildings tumbled down the steep hillside towards the harbour, their walls so brilliant in the bright sunshine that she had to squint to look at them. Rising behind them, scrubby green shrubs were scattered across the sandy soil, covering the hills which were outlined against the deep azure sky. Not a cloud marred the perfect horizon over the sea, where diamond-bright light skipped across the bobbing waves.