by Sara Craven
When he’d gone, she retrieved her book, and tried to read, but the words blurred and danced in front of her eyes. Her throat tightened painfully, and she thought, ‘Oh, God, what have I said? What have I done.’
He returned while she was dressing for dinner—several scared, aching hours later. She’d put on the black dress he liked, and hung his diamond at her throat.
‘Mick.’ Her voice shook. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know what I was saying.’
He put his hands on her shoulders. In the mirror, she met his gaze, hooded, enigmatic.
He said, ‘Perhaps we both have some thinking to do, Katharina. And my trip will give us the necessary space, ne?’
No, she thought. We don’t need that. There’s too much space between us already. I can’t reach you any more.
But she smiled steadily, and said, ‘I expect you’re right.’ And knew she was weeping inside.
Kate put her hands up to her face, wiping away the tears she did not have to hide any more.
Why did she have this total recall, she asked herself desperately, when amnesia would have been so much more merciful?
She thought I can’t go on—torturing myself like this. I can’t…
She went into the bathroom and washed her face, trying to conceal the signs of distress.
Then she went out into the sitting room. She would have to confront Michael once and for all. Tell him she’d changed her mind. That even if their divorce took for ever, she would not go back to Kefalonia and be made to relive any more of her humiliation and betrayal.
She was halfway across the room when his bedroom door opened and he came out. He was wearing dark, close-fitting pants, and a white shirt, with a silk tie knotted loosely round his throat. He was carrying a light cashmere jacket in a fine check over one arm, and fastening his cuff-links with his free hand as he walked.
He halted, his brows lifting. ‘You should have stayed in your sanctuary a little longer, matia mou.’ His tone was sardonic. ‘Then you would have been spared the sight of me.’
‘You’re going out?’
‘Evidently.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘Be careful. Katharina mou,’ he said softly. ‘You are beginning to sound like a wife. Although I am sure you do not wish to be treated as one.’
She flushed, biting her lip. ‘It’s just that—I need to talk to you.’
‘But I am not in the mood for conversation. I am going out to find some congenial company.’ His eyes raked her dismissively. ‘God knows it will not be difficult.’
She flinched inwardly. ‘Please listen to me.’
‘No, Katharina. We have already said everything that is necessary to each other.’
She lifted her chin. ‘I’ve changed my mind.’
He was very still. ‘In what way?’
‘I can’t go back with you,’ she said rapidly. ‘I won’t.’
‘Your rebellion is too late, matia mou. I shall not permit you to back out now.’
‘You can’t make me.’ The words were uttered before she had time to think. And they were a mistake. She knew that even before she saw him smile.
‘You don’t think so? I say you are wrong, my wife.’ He tossed his jacket on to a sofa. Took a step towards her.
‘Perhaps I shall stay here after all, and show you that I can—persuade you to do anything I want. That I can take from you anything I desire, and you will let me. Because—still—you cannot help yourself. And you know it.’
He paused, letting the words sink in. ‘Or would you prefer to stick to the bargain we have made after all—and spend your nights alone?’
‘Yes,’ she said. She kept her voice level, even though she was shaking inside. ‘Yes, I would—prefer that.’
‘You are wise.’ His voice was mocking, as he retrieved his coat and shrugged it on. The dark eyes were hard. ‘It has been a long time since I touched you, agapi mou, and almost certainly I would not have been gentle.’
He watched the colour drain from her face and nodded. He added courteously, ‘I wish you a pleasant evening,’ and went.
CHAPTER NINE
AS THE plane began its descent to Kefalonia airport, Kate broke the silence she’d maintained throughout the flight.
‘The divorce.’ Her voice was constricted. ‘Have you really told—no one? Not even Iorgos Vasso?’
He would not have to tell Victorine, she thought. Because she already knew…
‘No one.’ Mick’s tone was uncompromising, his eyes cold as he turned to look at her. ‘And I intend it to remain a private matter between us, for the present, anyway. I do not wish to spoil a happy time for my sister.’
She bit her lip. ‘You’re all heart.’
He sighed. ‘However if that is your attitude, we will deceive no one. And you will have reneged on our bargain.’
‘God forbid,’ Kate said bitterly. ‘Don’t worry, kyrie, I’ll play the dutiful wife—in public at least.’
He said, ‘It will also be necessary for us to exchange a few remarks from time to time—in public at least,’ he added drily.
She lifted her chin. ‘I’ll do that too—if I must.’
‘A small price to pay for freedom, surely?’
Oh, no, she thought, pain closing her throat. It’s going to cost me everything.
The days they’d spent together in London had been almost more than she could bear. Not that they’d been together in any real sense, she reminded herself. Mick had been scrupulous about keeping his distance. During the daytime, he’d been in meetings, and she tried not to think where he could be spending his evenings and the greater part of each night. Clearly fidelity, even to Victorine, had never been on his agenda.
They deserve each other, she thought wrenchingly.
Yet, at the same time, all she knew was that she lay alone in the darkness, unable to sleep, straining her ears for the sound of his return.
And that, of course, was madness.
She had little to fill her days either. Iorgos Vasso had dealt with her employers, agreeing an extended and unpaid leave of absence, rather than the notice that Mick had advocated. He’d also arranged with an astonished Mrs Thursgood to have Kate’s flat kept an eye on, and her mail forwarded.
The life she’d begun laboriously to assemble was being smoothly erased, she realised helplessly, and when she came back from Kefalonia, finally alone, she would have to rebuild it all over again.
Although that, at least, would give her something to think about, which she suspected she might need.
In accordance with Mick’s instructions, she’d trawled reluctantly round Bond Street and Knightsbridge and bought some new clothes, more in keeping with her role as Mrs Theodakis, but she’d kept her expenditure to an absolute minimum.
And she would bring none of them back with her when she left. Her Kate Dennison gear was safely stowed in the bottom of one of her cases, waiting for this nightmare to be over.
The drive to the villa seemed to take no time at all. She had wanted time to compose herself for the ordeal ahead—to resist the ache of familiarity in the landmarks they were passing. To fight to the death the sense of homecoming that had assailed her as soon as the plane touched down.
The staff were clearly delighted to have her back. She was greeted with beaming smiles on all sides, and conducted ceremoniously indoors.
I feel a traitor, she thought angrily.
Her father-in-law was in the saloni glancing through some papers, but he rose as Kate walked in and welcomed her with a swift, formal embrace.
‘It is good to see you.’ He stepped back, and looked at her critically. ‘But you are thinner. This will not do.’ He glanced at Mick. ‘You will have to take better care of her, my son.’
‘I intend to,’ Mick returned, unsmilingly.
‘I was worried when you went without saying goodbye.’ Ari indicated that Kate should sit beside him. ‘But Michalis told me it was an emergency. That you had been called away urgently.’ He paused,
eyeing her shrewdly. ‘I hope it is all resolved now.’
She mustered a taut smile. ‘Well—nearly, I think.’
‘Perhaps we could have helped,’ Ari suggested. ‘We have teams of lawyers—accountants—business advisers—all with too little to do. Did Michalis not explain this?’
Kate bit her lip. ‘It was a—private matter. I didn’t want to trouble anyone else.’
‘You are a Theodakis now, Katharina.’ Ari patted her hand. ‘Your problems are ours. But, you will be tired after the flight. Michalis, take her down to the beach house, and see that she rests.’
Kate’s heart was thumping as she walked beside Mick down the track through the pine woods. How many times had she taken this same path with him, she wondered, knowing their bed and his arms awaited her?
And now she was on her way to pain, betrayal and deception. Just as she had been only a few short weeks before.
She stumbled on a loose stone, and he caught her arm, steadying her.
She wrenched herself free, glaring at him. ‘Don’t touch me. Don’t dare.’
There was a shocked pause, then he said bleakly, ‘You would rather fall than have me catch you. I understand.’
For a moment there was an odd expression on his face—bewildered. Almost—lost.
He still can’t believe he isn’t irresistible, Kate thought, lashing herself into fresh anger.
The house was just as she remembered it, with its faded terracotta tiles, and white walls festooned with flowering plants.
There were flowers inside, too, she discovered dazedly. In the master bedroom, every surface was covered by bowls full of blossoms. Like some bridal bower, she thought, checking in the doorway, faint nausea rising within her, as she looked across at the bed and remembered…
Saw her luggage standing in the corner.
She turned on Mick, standing silently behind her, her voice was harsh, strained. ‘No—not this room. I won’t stay here. Please have my things put in the other bedroom.’
His brows snapped together. ‘I have been using that myself.’
‘Then you’ll have to change,’ she flung at him.
You sleep in here. You live with the memories. Because I won’t. I can’t.
‘If not, I’m leaving,’ she went on recklessly. ‘Going back to England, and to hell with our deal. To hell with everything. And if it blows your whole scheme out of the water—tough. But there’s no way I’m going to sleep in that bed ever again.’
His face looked grey. He said hoarsely, ‘Katharina—how in the name of God did we come to this?’
‘Ask yourself that, kyrie.’ Her voice was like stone. ‘I’m just passing through.’
She went past him and walked the few yards down the passage to the second bedroom. The queen-size bed had clearly been freshly made up with clean sheets, and she sank down on its edge aware that her legs were shaking.
Mick followed. He said quietly, ‘I have left a few things in the closet. I’ll take them.’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Then I can do my own unpacking.’
‘Soula will do that, as usual.’ He paused. ‘And your clothes will stay in the other room—with me.’
‘No.’ Kate got to her feet. ‘You can’t do that.’
‘You came here to preserve the illusion that we still have a marriage.’ His voice bit. ‘Most couples share a room—a bed. I ask you only to share a wardrobe. You may sleep where you please, pedhi mou. The night brings its own privacy.’
She bit her lip. ‘Very well. Then I’ll try and choose everything I need for the day each morning. At other times, I—I’ll keep out of your way.’
There was silence, then he said very softly, ‘I do not know if I can bear this.’ And went.
Kate stood in the middle of the room, her arms wrapped round her body, until she stopped shaking. She felt bone-weary, but she knew that if she lay down, she would not be able to relax.
But it was still very warm for late September, so perhaps she would sit by the pool—or even go for a swim.
Her bathing suits were all in the master bedroom, she realised without pleasure. She went quietly along the passage, and knocked on the half-open door, but Mick was nowhere to be seen, so she went in.
The scent of the flowers was almost overwhelming as she searched for her black bikini.
As she retrieved it, and the pretty black and white overshirt that accompanied it, she heard swift footsteps approaching, and, a moment later, Ismene flung herself at her.
‘Kate mou, at last. Oh, I am so happy you have come. I was so afraid you would not.’ She pulled a face. ‘Michalis made me send you the invitation. He said only when you saw it in black and white would you believe Papa had agreed.’
‘What made him change his mind?’ Kate shook her head. ‘He seemed so adamant.’
Ismene shrugged, her expression puzzled. ‘I do not know. He talked very strangely to me. Said how few people found the one person in the world who could make them happy, and what right had he to deny me when Michalis had you, and he himself had loved Mama so much.’
She lowered her voice confidentially. ‘Do you think he is growing tired of Victorine, perhaps? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he sent her away?’
Kate forced a smile. ‘I—wouldn’t count on it.’
‘Anyway, what of you, sister?’ Ismene went on, after a pause. ‘Why did you leave like that—without even saying goodbye, po, po, po?’
‘It was an emergency,’ Kate said steadily, falling back on the agreed story. ‘A family thing. I—I can’t really discuss it.’
‘But all is well now, and you will be staying here?’
Kate forced a smile. ‘Nothing is certain in this uncertain world,’ she said. ‘But I’ll definitely be here to see you married.’
‘My dress is wonderful,’ Ismene confided. ‘Silk organza, and the veil my mother wore. Petros and I will marry in the morning at our village church, and then there will be a celebration in the square. And at night there will be a party here with dancing.’ She sighed. ‘But I shall miss most of that because I shall be on my honeymoon.’
Kate laughed in spite of herself. ‘A honeymoon is far better than any party, believe me.’
Ismene eyed her speculatively. ‘You and Michalis—did you do it every night?’
Kate gasped, feeling a wave of heat swamp her face, as she searched vainly for a reply.
Mick said from the doorway, ‘That is none of your business, Ismene mou.’ He strolled into the room, his face expressionless as he surveyed his wife’s embarrassment. ‘And if you make my Kate blush again, I shall tell Petros to beat you.’
She sent him a mischievous look. ‘Perhaps I should enjoy that. But I can tell when I am no longer wanted,’ she added with a giggle. ‘I will see you later, Katharina.’
And she flew off again, leaving husband and wife facing each other.
Kate’s face was still burning. She said, ‘I—I thought I’d sit by the pool.’
He glanced at the bikini, dangling from her hand, and his mouth curled. ‘Then I will use the beach.’
She looked at the floor. ‘Isn’t that rather going to extremes?’ she asked in a low voice. ‘Surely we don’t have to avoid each other to that extent.’
‘Ah, but we do,’ he said. ‘I promise you, agapi mou. You see, I still find the sight of you wearing next to nothing too disturbing to risk.’ He began casually to unbutton his shirt. ‘I am sure you understand.’
Kate sank her teeth into her lower lip. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Yes, of course.’ She remembered suddenly that the beach was Victorine’s favourite haunt. ‘But I’m sure you’ll find an even more appealing view,’ she added hastily, regretting it at once.
Mick tossed his shirt on the bed, and gave her a narrow-eyed look. ‘What is that supposed to mean?’
She shrugged. ‘Nothing. After all, you were the one who told me Kefalonia was a beautiful island.’
‘But clearly not beautiful enough to tempt you to stay in our marriage.’
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She stared at him in disbelief. ‘You dare say that to me?’ Her voice shook. ‘When it was you—you…’
‘You knew what I was when you met me.’ Mick unbuckled his belt and unzipped his trousers. ‘I never pretended that I could give you my undivided attention.’
‘Am I supposed to admire your honesty?’ Kate asked bitterly.
‘I would have settled for acceptance.’ He slipped his discarded trousers on to a hanger, put them in the closet, then walked over to her. ‘Have you forgotten all the happy hours we spent in this room, matia mou.’ His voice sank huskily. ‘Is my sin really so impossible to forgive?’
It occurred to her suddenly that he was wearing nothing but a pair of his favourite silk shorts. Her throat tightened, and, flurried, she took a step backwards.
‘Don’t run away, Katharina mou.’ He spoke softly, seductively. ‘And don’t you fight me any more. Stay with me now. Let me make amends to you. Show you how much I need you.’
His hands were gentle on her shoulders, drawing her close.
For a crazy moment, she found herself remembering how long it was since she’d really touched him. Since she’d let her fingers stray over his naked skin, tracing the steel of bone and muscle. Since her lips had adored the planes and angles of his lean, responsive body.
She wanted to run her fingers along the line of his shoulder, and kiss the heated pulse in his throat. She was hungry—frantic to feel the maleness of him lifting gloriously to her caress.
And then as if a light clicked on in her head, she remembered, and pulled herself free.
‘Don’t touch me,’ she said between her teeth. ‘Oh God, I should have known I couldn’t trust you.’
Something flickered momentarily in his eyes, then he laughed curtly. ‘You have a short memory, dear wife. This is my room—you were quite insistent about it. And I did not invite you here. You came of your own free will. You watched me undress.’ He shrugged, his mouth twisting. ‘It could be thought you were sending me a signal.’
‘Then think again,’ Kate flashed stormily. ‘Do you seriously think that an—afternoon romp with you could repair the damage between us? And in this of all places.’ She drew a harsh shuddering breath. ‘Oh, God, I despise you. I hate you.’