Sylvia, the only English member of the party, was about thirty and stunningly attractive, with black hair, dark eyes, a perfect figure and face, and a smile that would have floored Casanova himself. She dismissed Saffron with a contemptuous glance once she realised she was only a companion. As did Katherina and her daughter Maria. The older man, Spiros, was apparently Katherina's husband.
Saffron shot a worried glance at Anna, who seemed to have gone very quiet among this crowd of confident relatives, and, edging her way to her side, she asked, 'Are you all right?'
Alex caught her whispered question and responded for his mother. 'Of course she is; she is with her family.' But Saffron wasn't so sure. And now, Saffron having just finished massaging Anna with a reviving mixture of aromatherapy oils, the pair of them were relaxing for a few minutes over a very English pot of tea, delivered by the steward a few minutes earlier.
'So what do you think of the family?' Anna asked with a cynicism that Saffron had never seen in the other woman before. 'You can be honest; I won't mind.'
'Well, I. . .I don't really know them; I mean, first impressions can be. . .' She was digging herself into a pit, but she was no good at lying. "They're very Greek..
Thankfully Anna's light laugh stopped her babbling. 'Exactly. Do you know, dear, sometimes I even forget my son is half English? He has such a Greek outlook on family. He insists every year that the relatives holiday together, and he has no idea of the agony it is for me.'
'What's the matter? Don't you get on with them?' Perhaps it was because she was English, but Saffron dismissed that notion immediately. The Greeks were very friendly on the whole, and had a particular liking for the English. No, something else was bothering Anna.
The older lady replaced her teacup on the small table, and dramatically let her head drop back against the soft cushions of the sofa. Then she looked at Saffron, her blue eyes serious.
'You remember on Rhodes when I showed you the café and I said I would tell you my life story one day? Today is the time, I think.'
'You don't need to.' Saffron was worried by the strange quality in Anna's voice. But, as if she had never heard her, Anna continued.
'I must; like all Greek tragedies it needs telling. My husband was an honourable man and he married me because I was pregnant. I loved him, and was happy. His elder brother was married to Katherina and lived in New York. My son was twelve years old when they first came back to stay with us. I saw my husband look at Katherina and I knew they were more than friends. At a party held in their honour she told me quite openly that my husband had always loved her, that she married his older brother because he was wealthier at the time, but she could get my husband at the snap of her fingers.'
'My God! That's awful.'
'Worse! She was right. I faced my husband with it and he admitted he had known her before his brother but he swore it was over between them years ago. I tried to believe him. His brother and family went back to America, holiday over. . . Alex went to school in England and for the next six years we carried on as before, except I knew I had never been first choice with my husband.' Anna's blue eyes burnt with a brilliant intensity on Saffron's shocked face.
'He must have loved you ' Saffron began, but was cut off.
'Katherina and her husband returned when Alex was eighteen and she brought her daughter with her—we even holidayed together in England. And then a few weeks later her husband died and she became the grieving widow, and of course stayed with us, as is the Greek way. After a few months of having the woman share my house, I gave my husband an ultimatium. Alex was at university in England by this time and we had bought a house in London. I told my husband I was staying in London, and he had to decide either to get my sister-in- law and her daughter out of our home or get a divorce. I could not live with the situation. I had been in London two months when I got a call from Heathrow airport. He had arrived and wanted to talk. But, as in the best Greek tragedies, he was killed in a car crash on the way from the airport.'
'My God!' Saffron exclaimed, horrified, but she could not help noticing a glint of mischief in Anna's blue eyes.
'What could I do? I couldn't tell my son his father had been going to divorce me and marry his aunt; I didn't want to disillusion him about his father. Consequently my only son cannot understand why I'm not crazy about my Greek relations, and it drove quite a wedge between us.
'Ironically Katherina did set up in a villa in Athens just weeks after the funeral, but I stayed in London and Alex chose to spend most of his time in Greece. He dropped out of university and took over the business. Katherina married again five years ago, and my relationship with Alex has improved quite a lot over the past few years. I visit the villa on the island of Serendipidos every year. Actually it's my island; his father left the property to me. But now you can see why this annual cruise is not my favourite holiday.'
Saffron had never heard anything so appalling. For Anna to entertain year after year the woman she thought her husband had loved. If it was true; Anna was a great one for romancing, Saffron qualified to herself. But still, the stress it must create in the poor woman. . . 'But why on earth don't you tell your son? Surely it must be better than. . .?'
'No. Much as I love him he is more Greek than a true Greek—family is everything to him. At eighteen I could not disillusion him, and now it does not bother me that much.'
If the man weren't such an insensitive clod, Saffron thought privately, he would have realised himself years ago how his own mother felt. 'I stillthink you should have it out with him.'
'No—no way, child. I wouldn't have told you if I'd thought it would upset you.' She sat up straight, her quavering voice suddenly remarkably firm and strong. 'Just be sure you make me as beautiful as is humanly possible this evening. We eat in the dining-room at nine. I'm going to miss our casual buffet meals on the deck.' And, rising, she crossed to the dressing-table and sat down again. 'Come on, dear. Do your best; I want to outshine Katherina.'
And she did. Anna looked as beautiful as Saffron could contrive. With her long hair swept up into an elegant chignon, diamonds glittering at her ears and throat, and a classic designer-label full-length soft blue silk crêpe de Chine dress, cleverly cut to enhance Anna's still youthfully slim figure, she looked like the lovely lady she was.
Saffron had dressed with care In her one formal gown, a second-hand purchase from a small shop she knew in London. The Ralph Lauren design was a simple black sheath with black embroidery around the bodice and hem. It fitted her slender figure like a glove, and a thigh-high spilt enabled her to walk freely. The neckline was slashed diagonally across her breast to leave one arm and shoulder bare. Her long red hair was swept up m top of her head in a mass of curls, a few stray tendrils curling around her face and the nape of her neck. She never wore much mate-up but tonight she had gone all out, eyeshadow, mascara, blusher, the lot, and she knew she looked good.
With Saffron firmly supporting Anna, her hand under the older woman's elbow, they entered the dining-room together—late! But on purpose. Anna had not wanted to have to sit and sip pre-dinner drinks with the rest of the cías.
Ales was standing near the top of fee table deep in discussion with his aunt and Sylvia and two men Saffron had never seen before. His dark head shot up as they entered, and he smiled across the width of the room.
'So glad you could join us, Mother; we were beginning to wonder.' His dark eyes flashed to Saffron and widened slightly before deliberately raking her from bead to foot, a derisory smile curving his firm mouth. Saffron knew he was doing it on purpose and fought down the blush that threatened to overwhelm her.
'Charming, and no doubt time-consuming,' he drawled silkily. 'But if the job of looking after Mother as well as yourself is too much for you, Miss Martin, you only have to say.'
'Not at all, Mr Statis,' she snapped back. Gone was the teasing friendship of the past two days and hisuse of her surname put her firmly in her place, she thought cynically. A servant. But how dare he be so sar
castic with his own mother? she fumed, and was still fuming as Alex airily introduced the two new arrivals. She had heard the helicopter earlier but had thought nothing of it.
Alex's FA was a tall blond Englishman in his late twenties called James. The other man, the company accountant, was much older, a Greek named Andreas. It made the party up to nine, and Saffron gave an inward sigh of relief; as the odd one out, she could sink into the background, do her job, and be ignored. But it didn't work out that way.
They took their seats around the large rectangular dining-table. Alax, of course, was at the head, his mother on his right hand and Sylvia on his left; next to Anna was Andreas and then Katherina and her husband while next to Sylvia was Maria and them James and lastly Saffron.
'We seem to be one man short,' Spiros chuckled.
'One good one is worth a dozen others,' Sylvia simpered,, with a flirtatious look at Alex as she curved her red-tipped fingers around his arm.
Saffron could not help the contemptuous curve of her full lips as she saw the little scene enacted before her. Now she understood his reversal to her surname. His girlfriend had arrived and he did not want Saffron spilling the beans about his amorous flirtation with her.
She watched as Alex, looking stunning in a white dinner-suit, patted the hand on his arm and said, 'I'll take that as a compliment, Sylvia, darling.' His dark eyes lifted and caught Saffron's derisory glance and for second something flicked in the deep brown depths,, but was quickly squashed as his cousin Maria spurted out a torrent of Greek.
Saffron took little interest in the conversation—she could not speak a word of the language anyway—so she was. reduced to twiddling the cutlery through her slender fingers to still the nervousness in her stomach. She wished the meal were over with and she could leave. High society held no appeal for her, and there was something about Alex in a tailored while jacket as opposed to the usual casual clothes that she found irrationally threatening. So she was surprised when she looked up from the table and found his eyes on her, as though awaiting her comment.
Anna leapt into the silence, 'Maria was bemoaning the fact that her cabin is on this deck when usually she has your cabin. Ales was explaining that the four state cabins are occupied, Katherina and Spires in one and Alex in the main cabin and naturally I need you next to me.'
"There is no need to explain, Mama; the matter is settled,' Alex said curtly, and Saffron felt her anger rise again at his abrupt treatment of both his mother and herself, completely ignoring the fact that he had defended her against his cousin.
Luckily the steward served the first course and in the ensuing chatter the matter was dropped. But it wasn't an. easy meal. James made no secret of the fact that he found Saffron attractive and when he discovered that she lived in London and liked to wander around the London art galleries in her free time they got into a long discussion about the National Gallery, only to be interrupted by Alex.
'James?' Saffron glanced, down the table, her green eyes clashing with Alex's suspicious brooding gaze, which quickly shifted to the man beside her. 'You are not here to seduce my mother's companion, but to work. Kindly remember that.'
Silence! A giggle from Maria broke the tease moment but Saffron felt her face turn scarlet. As for James, he turned astonished eyes on his employer and like a true English gentleman responded, 'My intentions towards Saffron, or any other woman for that matter, are always strictly honourable.' He then spoilt his gallant reply somewhat by adding ruefully, 'If one values one's health in the present dangerous sexual climate, they have to be.' The ensuing laughter set the meal back on coarse and Saffron sighed with relief yet again, sure that the worst was over, but It was not. . .
The first course, a light pâté, was delicious; the next, lobster, with all the accompanying sauces, was perfection. But for the rest of meal Saffron never looked once at Alex, though she was aware of him in a way she had never experienced before. The deep resonance of his voice, his occasional laughter grated on her over-sensitive nerves. She'd never felt such an instant attraction to anyone. So why him? She wasn't sure she even liked the man, and bitterly resented his peculiar effect upon her, making it impossible for her to enjoy the sumptuous meal.
His deliberate sexual teasing of the previous day and her shocking reaction to it still rankled. He was so dama sure of himself! It was obvious that he had been making fun of her, filling to time until today, and the arrival of the lovely Sylvia. She noted that it had been Maria, not Sylvia, who had complained about her cabin—probably because Sylvia knew she would be sharing with her boss.
'Isn't that so, Saffron?' Alex's distinctive drawl cut in on her musing. He was back to calling her by her Christian name. Was she supposed to be honoured? she thought sourly. She looked up and saw once again that all eyes were on her.
'Yes, Saffron, do tell us,' Sylvia demanded. 'I can't believe anyone could get the better of Alex.' And she smiled, but Saffron, looking at the beautiful face, saw the spite in the hard eyes.
She had no idea what they were talling about, but help came from an unexpected source: Spiros.
'Did you really mistake him for a thief?' I» asteé, sad she guessed what he was referring to.
Deliberately replacing her fork on her plate, she faced Alex down the length of the table. She could see the amusement sparkling in the depths of his brown eyes,, and it enraged her.
'I wouldn't necessarily call it a mistake,' she opened with, dry sarcasm, holding his gaze and delighting is the flash of anger m his dark eyes, 'but yes, I caught him by the throat and kneed him in the groin.' She said if with relish, and, pointedly turning her gaze on Sylvia, added, 'I'm sure the ladies in his life will have nothing to worry about—I doubt he suffered, any permanent damage.'
Spiros's shout of laughter broke the tension. 'Damn! I wish I could have seen it—the great Alexandras brought to his knees by a slip of a girl.'
Everyone joined in with a comment and Saffron stroked one up for her then quietly withdœw from the conversation—or tried to, but James appeared to have other ideas. She had half expected him to ignore her after Alex's earlier comment, but with brave disregard for his employer he did no such thing, but continued to include her in the conversation at every opportunity, much to Saffron's rising embarrassment. She could feel Alex's dark eyes on her, watching her like a hawk.
Later, sharing a sofa with Anna and sipping coffee on the canopied deck, she was congratulating herself on having got Anna and herself through the evening reasonably well when to her horror Katherina began reminiscing. Saffron was convinced that the woman was doing it deliberately.
'It seems strange that Alex is the only male of the family left. Do you remember, Anna, when our first husbands were alive they were such loving brothers? As incredible as it seems, it is seven years since I lost my own brother. All relatively young men, and so much sadness, and yet here we are, still a family.'
What a bitch! Saffron thought, casting a worried sidelong glance at Anna, but surprisingly she was smiling. What courage Anna had to put a brave face on something that, true or untrue, was still obviously hurtful.
Without a second thought Saffron got to her feet.
'Escuse me, everyone, but it has been a tag day.' She saw Alex's head snap round to where she stood. 'Coming, Anna? It's getting late, and I have to massage your shoulder.'
'What?' Blue-eyed astonishment was quickly masked with a gentle, 'Yes, dear, of course.'
Saffron helped Anna to her feet.
'Shoulder?' Ales queried, his dark eyes spearing Saffron's with speculative scrutiny. 'I undestood the arthritis was confined to Mama's knee.'
Saffron could have kicked herself; she had not been thinking clearly or she would not have made such a mistake. 'Yes—yes, it is, but. . .'
Anna came to her rescue.
'It's not important, Alex, simply a touch of rheumatism in my shoulder, and Saffy has the most soothing hands; I exploit her talent shockingly. If you will all excuse me I am tired.'
'I'll see you
to your cabin, Mama.'
Saffron followed behind mother and son, up the stairs to the door of Anna's stateroom, and hesitated as the couple in front were talking.
"Is there something you're not telling me. Mother?' Alex asked quietly, a gentle arm around Anna's shoulder. 'I know how secretive you can be, but you know I love you and I only have your best interests at heart.'
Saffron was surprised by the wealth of caring in Alex's eyes as he watched his mother. Perhaps Anna should tei him the truth about her accident; this caring Alex might just possibly understand. But with his nest words the illusion was shattered.
'Heaven knows as a family we see very little of each other—two or three times a year at most.'
'I know, darling, but you know me; I Ike London, and the others don't.' Anna raised her hand and stroked his roughh cheek in a gentle caress. 'Goodnight, son,' she murmured before opening the cabin door and walking j inside.
Saffron moved to follow, but was stopped by a large, strong hand grasping her upper aim.
'Just a moment, Saffron.'
Reluctantly she halted. He was so close that she could smell the clean, tangy fragrance of his cologne, and the door shutting behind Anna seemed to leave the pair of them cocooned in the dimly lit passageway. 'What do you want?' she managed to ask levelly.
A Devious Desire Page 5