by Anne Hampson
'Is all this the truth?'
'I have nothing to gain by lying at this stage.'
'If you had no intention of marrying Dendras, why didn't you tell me so?'
'I've just told you, because of your attitude towards me. You've yourself to blame for most of it. When you said you'd had information from Dendras, and I asked you what it was, you didn't say!'
'You should have insisted on knowing!'
'Vidas,' she returned quietly, 'you can't blame me for it all. True, believing I was expecting Dendras's child, you quite naturally thought I knew what you were talking about. But you now have to remember that I had no idea at that time that Dendras had told you a lie, or what he had told you. Evidently he believed he could persuade me to marry him once he had obtained your consent.'
'And what the devil was he going to tell you afterwards?'
Kim drew an impatient breath. 'Does it matter? For one thing Dendras is dead, and for another even if he hadn't been killed, I had no intention of marrying him!'
'All right, all right,' he said impatiently, 'I'm as muddled as you are over this whole business, but all I know is that you deliberately allowed me to believe you'd slept with my brother!' Anger was now in his voice, and Kim had the odd impression that his wrath stemmed more from the fact that she had allowed him to believe she was a no-good than from the actual deceit itself.
'You accused me of being a gold digger,' she reminded him. 'At one time I was actually on the point of telling you I'd not the slightest intention of marrying Dendras, when you interrupted me and arrogantly told me to forget about marrying your brother. I was naturally fuming, bitterly resenting your attitude; it infuriated me. But later I did try again. This time you asked me if I had anything to say in my own defence. Well, what would your reaction be to a thing like that, especially if you knew you were entirely innocent?'
'I expect I'd have reacted in a similar way,' he admitted, and the answer did not really surprise her, for his expression had gradually been changing as she spoke.
'At that time I just could not have said the words that would have given you satisfaction. I wanted to get my own back and the only way was to keep you on tenterhooks.'
'Typically female, and English,' he submitted, and within the jeering irony of his tone, Kim detected a trace of amusement as well.
'Afterwards, when you came to tell me that Dendras was dead, I again thought about telling you the truth, but by then it no longer seemed important because I didn't expect ever to see you again.'
Vidas looked at her with cool deliberation; it was an unpredictable moment, and in the electric silence, Kim's nerves quivered. Had his fury abated, or did it still smoulder beneath the surface? She tilted her chin; it was a defensive gesture, designed to warn him to be prepared for firmness on her part. For the more she viewed the situation, the less excuse she could find for his putting so much blame on her. And in any case, as she had earlier pointed out, the marriage was as beneficial to him as it was to her. At last he spoke, in a quiet voice, to ask the reason why she had knocked on his bedroom door that night.
'It obviously wasn't for the reason I assumed,' he added with amused mockery. 'The very last thing you'd have wanted was for your deceit to be discovered.'
'I wanted to discuss the possibility of a separation,' she told him. 'It could be arranged so that Alexandra will not know about it.'
'There'll be no separation.' His tone was almost harsh with finality. 'You're my wife and it stays that way; I thought I'd already made that clear.'
'You said it would only be for a time.'
'I also said that my stepmother might take it into her head to return if she knew we had separated.'
'But she needn't know. I've just said so. I could merely be on a trip to England, then stay there—'
'Put the idea out of your head,' he advised, almost glowering at her across the dinner table. 'Dare to leave me and I shall immediately get in touch with your mother to inform her of everything that has happened.'
'Are you blackmailing me?' she asked.
'Be very careful,' he recommended, dark eyes glinting.
'I don't believe you would be so cruel to my parents,' said Kim, reflecting on that profound moment when her mother and Vidas had stared into one another's eyes. 'You're just saying that as a threat.'
'Don't try me, Kim,' he said. 'I'm very satisfied with our marriage and have no desire to end it.'
'So I must stay with you… for always?' To remain forever with a man who neither loved nor respected her would be an impossibility, she decided. 'I'll work to repay what you have spent on my parents, Vidas,' she said, and at the plea in her voice he seemed to frown. 'To stay together, living as man and wife, without love—' She shook her head vehemently. 'It would be immoral,' she said finally, and colour flooded her cheeks when he threw back his head and laughed.
'Greeks care nothing either for love or for immorality,' he assured her. 'The demands of the flesh are all that we care about.'
Kim shot him a glance, her senses alerted by something in his tone. She felt he was adopting a pose, the reason for which was obscure. There was a shuttered expression in his eyes, and she had the extraordinary conviction that he was out of his accustomed element, that he was temporarily lacking in that arrogant self-assurance which carried him so confidently through every situation. The impression was fleeting but unmistakable, and Kim knew she would think about it over and over again, always with puzzlement and the conviction that if only she could have seen into his mind at that moment, she would have learnt something of immense value. But alas, it was impossible to read the thoughts of a man like Vidas.
Two days later she telephoned her parents. They had written to tell her what time they would be at their friends' apartment, and as soon as she heard her mother's happy tone, Kim's heart lightened. Whatever might come to her in the future, whatever the heartaches, she would never regret what she had done.
'It's so wonderful here, Kim, darling! The lovely sunshine, the freedom from worry, the kindness of our friends—oh, I don't know why we should be so lucky. It's all due to you, of course, dear Kim, and we love you dearly for finding that charming Vidas and marrying him!'
'I'm so glad everything is all right. I take it that Father's condition is continuing to improve?'
'Yes, love—and here he is, impatient to talk to you.'
'Hello, Kim! Yes, I'm improving all the time. I even took a swim in the pool this morning, and this afternoon we're going along to the shops to stock up for the weekend.'
'You sound as if you're having fun.'
'We are! We both feel young again!'
'You are young,' said Kim on a note of mock severity. 'Just you remember that. Age is merely an attitude of mind, and once you begin to think you're getting old, then the rot really sets in.'
'I'll remember.' He laughed. Oh, but it was good to hear a sound like that coming over the line! Yes, it had all been worth it, decided Kim again. 'We made a pact never to think of Stephen or to speak of him. It might be selfish, Kim, but we feel we did all we could for him, and to worry about him now would be fruitless.'
'And would impair your health again. You are not selfish, Father—neither of you could ever be that. So enjoy yourselves, You're all right for money?'
'Fine! We don't live luxuriously, but we're very comfortable and well fed.' Another laugh before he went on. 'We've bought nice new furniture and the flat was decorated before we moved in. So everything is new and gleaming… You and Vidas ought to come over for a visit,' he added, as the thought occurred to him. 'How about it?'
'I'll speak to him' she promised, not allowing her speculations to go any further than that, even though there had been a dramatic improvement in their relationship since she had cleared the air.
'You sound so happy. How is it, living on a lovely Greek island?'
'Wonderful. Malindos is a small island and not too touristy yet. Some of the cruise ships stop, and we have a few very charming hotels.'
'And you live in a castle.' A small silence followed before he said, 'You haven't sent any photographs yet, love, and we know nothing of the place.'
'I've taken some snapshots and I'll finish the roll quite soon, then I'll send you the best ones.'
'Plenty of you with Vidas, remember.'
'All right.'
Kim spoke to her mother again, and when eventually she put the receiver back on its rest, she realised that Vidas was standing behind her.
'You heard?' She gave a small sigh and added, 'They believe I'm deliriously happy.'
The look he gave her was unfathomable. 'Aren't you happy?'
She lifted her eyes to his, puzzled by his expression. Could it be possible that Vidas was wishing that she and he could have met in different circumstances? A wild hope for the future was born, and try as she would to dismiss it, she found it impossible to do so. And suddenly her heart was light and the tender smile fluttered to lips that had quivered only seconds ago.
'Perhaps, one day, I shall be happy,' she said, and her husband's expression instantly became closed.
'I gather that your father wanted some snapshots of you and me together,' he said, bypassing her comment.
'Yes; he asked for plenty.' She looked hopefully at him and he nodded his head.
'We'll get Andreas to take some. He's rather good with a camera.'
Andreas was the manservant whose role was mainly that of butler, but he was a general handyman about the castle and Vidas had once said that he was almost indispensable.
'When can he take them?' she wanted to know. 'I'd like to get them off as soon as possible.'
'This afternoon, if that is what you'd like.'
'That will be fine. Thank you, Vidas.'
His dark eyes held a mysterious light as they looked down into her face. 'For what?' he asked quietly.
'For agreeing to have the snaps taken.'
'We must keep your parents happy,' was all he said to that.
It was much later, when they were having dinner in the gracious salon, that Kim mentioned the visit to Spain. But she immediately added, 'I didn't promise anything because I knew you'd not want to go.'
His dark eyes flickered, taking in her fluctuating colour, the deep beauty of her eyes, the tremulous movement of her lips. She saw a muscle working in his throat and was profoundly affected by the silence and the presence of the man she loved.
'What makes you so sure I'd not want to go?' enquired Vidas at last, and Kim instantly registered surprise… and pleasure too, for her heart was light again, just as it had been earlier.
'Well, I naturally felt you'd not want to go on a holiday with me.'
'Perhaps we shall consider it,' he returned, watching the effect of candleglow on her hair, bringing out lights and colours even Kim did not know were there. 'Not for a while, though, because I have things to do. I must go to the capital in two weeks time, and I'll be away for about four or five days.'
'On business?' A weight settled on her stomach at the thought of his being away from the castle. 'I… er… couldn't go with you?' Hope was in her glance and in her heart. 'I'd not make a nuisance of myself.'
He shook his head, yet she had the strange impression that he was forcing himself to utter words he would rather not have spoken. 'No, I can't take you with me. I have too much to do and you'd be on your own all the time.' He paused a moment, examining her face, watching for any change of expression. 'You seem to be forgetting that ours is not a normal marriage.'
'I haven't forgotten,' she denied in gentle tones, 'but, just now, you said we might go to Spain together, and so—so I had the courage to ask if I could accompany you to Athens.' She was embarrassed, awkward, unsure of herself in spite of the mention just now of courage. He was far too overpowering, this dark Greek who was her husband, too aware of his own superiority.
'Another time, perhaps,' was all he said, and his voice had taken on an edge of harshness, as if he were regretting his kindness to her in agreeing to the snapshots and in making the half-promise to go to Spain with her. What an enigma he was!
When dinner was over he surprised her by suggesting a walk in the grounds. 'I've been busy in my study for most of the day,' he added by way of explanation, 'and I feel the need of some fresh air.'
Happy that he should want her company, Kim jumped up at once, ready to go out immediately.
'You'll need some kind of a wrap,' he said.
'Oh, no—'
'Go and fetch one,' he broke in authoritatively. 'I'll be waiting in the hall.'
'It's really quite warm, Vidas,' she began to protest, when a flick of his hand stopped her.
'Kim,' he said in a very soft voice, 'do as I say.'
She coloured, blinked at him, then went off to do his bidding. Was he really anxious about her feeling cold, or merely exerting his authority, demonstrating his mastery over her? There was no answer, and in any case it was of no importance, because either way, his order had made her happy.
They went out into the starlight and shadows, the air around them pulsing with the noise of cicadas in the olive trees on the hillside and the perfume of exotic flowers drifting on the breeze.
'It's beautiful out here.' Kim breathed, warmth in her heart that had nothing at all to do with the air temperature. The whole garden was lit up by the full moon sailing in the purple sky and the lamps hidden in the trees. The star-spangled sky was a radiant canopy above the silver-tinted sea and white-sanded shore, fringed by palms and carob trees. Kim and Vidas wandered slowly along the various paths separating the flower beds and smooth velvet lawns, their eyes repeatedly wandering down to the glory and serenity of the shoreline and the sparkling water beyond. On the horizon a ship's presence was betrayed by its lights, and closer to the shore several caiques bobbed about, lanterns swaying, while their owners sought for the catch that would earn them the money they needed for their meagre existence. A poor island, mainly, yet there was happiness and contentment among the inhabitants.
'You like Greece, then?'
'What I've seen of it. I believe there are hundreds of islands, some uninhabited.'
'That's right. We have many beautiful islands that are inhabited, some that are only sparsely inhabited, while others—mainly those where tourism has thrived—are somewhat overcrowded.' He talked on for a while, with Kim content to listen, though feeling at a certain loss in spite of the pleasure she derived from her husband's company. She desperately wanted physical contact, the touch of his hand, the caress of his lips.
Almost as if sensing her desires, Vidas stopped and turned to her, his eyes darker than ever as they looked down into her face. 'You're very beautiful,' he murmured, his hand touching her brow, sweeping back tendrils of hair that had been sent awry by a puff of wind gently cascading from the foothills of the mountains. These latter were stark in the moonlight, tortured lava heights, naked and untamed by man. 'I know so little about you,' Vidas said, his hand still gentle on her brow. Kim swayed close, vitally aware of his magnetism, of the incredible height and impression of power, of the heady scent of after-shave—or was it body lotion? It reminded her of the fresh tang of the sea, or of a breeze carrying the scent of heather across a wide expanse of moorland. 'Tell me something about your life in England.'
'It wasn't very interesting,' she returned, not wanting to talk, but merely to have him hold her close, so that she could feel the strength of his masculinity, the hardness of his frame against the yielding softness of her own. 'After Father's first heart attack we rarely went anywhere. And we were relatively poor…' Her voice trailed away to silence. 'You can't possibly be interested,' she asserted after a pause. 'You had no brothers or sisters?' 'No, just Stephen, whom my parents adopted.' 'You haven't heard anything about him?' Kim shook her head. Vidas had removed his hand; she missed its smooth warmth and gentleness, but somehow she could still feel some slight sensation of its presence. 'We're no longer interested in what is happening to him,' she admitted. 'It may seem heartless to you, but he has cause
d us so much trouble already.'
'I don't consider it heartless. We each have a life of our own; it's our most precious possession, and if we waste it on people who are underserving, then we are exceedingly foolish. Life is too short to waste, Kim.' So serious the tone, so sincere the words he uttered. Kim's love swelled within her and she lifted her face, lips quivering and slightly parted, inviting his kiss. For a long moment he seemed to be righting an inner battle, while breathless, she waited, her heart throbbing with hope even while she knew a certain fear that he would ignore her invitation. She was fighting for his love; she smiled and his expression changed. Her nerves caught as his head came down, and then she was thrilling to the touch of his lips, the strength of his encircling arms, the masterful pressure of his body as it melded with hers so that she was vitally aware of his masculinity, of the vibrant intensity of his desire for her.
'I love you,' she whispered silently, and with tender abandon she moved her body in joyful rhythm with his.
'My heavens, but you're different!' His mouth was cruel suddenly and sensually exploring; his hands possessed her with the arrogant mastery that had already thrilled her, that set him far above her, making her his suppliant, the willing victim of his pagan instincts. She was crushed to his hard body and looked up to see dark eyes smouldering with passion about to burst into flame. They settled on her breasts, then moved to the delectable curve of her throat. Wild emotion spread through every nerve cell in her body, invading any centre of resistance she might have had; her limbs went weak even while her desire gained momentum, quickening her responses so that her hand slid inside his shirt and around him, her fired senses thrilling to the contact with his bare flesh.
'Come,' he exclaimed hoarsely, and lightly swung her off her feet. 'It's late… far too late to be out here!'
Chapter Seven
Although she enjoyed the tranquil hours she spent in the lovely grounds of the castle, Kim was restless, and of course the simple explanation was that her husband was away from home. He had phoned to say his stay in Athens would have to be extended but had not felt the necessity of adding an explanation. It was a business visit she knew, and before he left he had warned her that it might have to be prolonged.