“Don’t make excuses for her, Dahling. She’s fully capable of defending herself.”
Barbara lifted a corner of her mouth and threw up her hands. “I have no defense, but I may be persuaded to visit you two more often if Stavros is going to cook for me every time I visit.”
Prudence rubbed her husband’s arm. “If that gets you to visit more often, then that can be arranged, can’t it, Dahling?”
Stavros gave a full bodied laugh. “Yes, indeed. It would be my pleasure to cook for you, Barbaroula.”
Marie reappeared with a tray of black tea for Prudence and Barbara and a Greek-styled coffee, Elliniko Café, for Stavros.
Prudence took a sip of her tea. “I’m going to give you a tour of the house tomorrow morning. Tonight is for catching up on girl talk.”
She glanced at Stavros and winked. “So, Dahling, don’t wait up tonight.”
Stavros shrugged. “That is understood, latria mou. I know how it is when women come together. Remember…I have four sisters.”
Prudence drained her teacup and got up. Barbara was impressed to observe that Stavros also stood. Prudence tiptoed and kissed him. At six feet four inches tall he was almost a foot taller than she stood at five feet six inches. Stavros returned the kiss and drew Prudence close, giving her a tight hug.
Barbara felt a pang of longing in her heart. When was the last time she had shared such intimacy with a member of the opposite sex? She shook off the feeling.
Upstairs in the lovely room, Barbara dropped into the inviting looking couch. The combination of jetlag and the heavy meal had caused her to feel quite lethargic. She forced herself to remain alert because she knew that Prudence wanted to talk.
Prudence opened the French doors and stepped out onto the balcony. She inhaled the crisp spring breeze and shook out her fiery mane.
“That feels so good, so fresh. Barbie, this is my favorite room in this house, apart from the master bedroom. It has spectacular views of Paris.”
She looked back at Barbara. “That’s why I put you here.”
Barbara smiled. “Much appreciated, sweetie. It is a very nice room.”
She began to feel more alert thanks to the breeze which flowed through the patio doors. She glanced around the room and then remembered what she had to ask Prudence.
“That drawing is stunning. Who are the models?”
“My parents.”
“But they look so young.”
Prudence joined her on the couch.
“I used old photographs of them to produce the drawing.”
“You and Stavros are both so artistic. Your children will have a double whammy of talent. Speaking of which, what are you waiting for?”
Prudence laughed lightly. “We’ve not been married even a year yet. Give us a chance.”
Barbara pulled her feet under her and sank deeper into the sofa. “So what’s it like being married to the man of your dreams. Is it everything you’d ever imagined?”
Prudence sighed. “He’s wonderful. He’s more than I ever imagined.”`
Barbara nodded. “I know, right? A hunk who can cook. That fish was divine.”
“He cooked fish when I told him that you were a vegetarian. He was preparing lamb this morning when I walked in and reminded him that you don’t eat red meat. He wrapped it up immediately, put it in the freezer and sent Marie to the market to get fresh red snapper.”
Barbara frowned. “Why did you put him to that trouble? I don’t ask people to prepare special meals for me. I find something to eat. I would have dined on the potatoes for the entrée. That would have been fine."
“Not fine with Stavros. He is very old school when it comes to certain things. Prepare a meal that the guest of honor can’t eat? Unheard of!”
Prudence propped her head in her hand, which rested on the back of the couch, and her expression grew more thoughtful. “So, are you seeing anyone?”
Barbara’s heart skipped a beat at the question. “No, and I like it that way thank you very much.”
Prudence flapped her hand at Barbara. “You are such a liar. You are a born romantic. Remember when we first met? Every conversation was about finding the right guy and settling down and having a dozen kids. There is no way your outlook could have changed so drastically.”
Barbara closed her eyes and ran her hand over her brow. “I have had three failed attempts at romance. I think I’m being sent a message that love and marriage may not be for me.”
“This is the girl who likes to tell me how with God all things are possible?”
Barbara’s eyes flew open and her head jerked back. “You actually listen to me when I talk about God?”
Prudence grinned. “I always listen to you, whether I agree with you or not. Anyway, the bottom line is that I never took you for a quitter. Your first marriage failed because Jacques was a total cad. It was whispered in some circles that he and Annabelle divorced because she found out that he was sleeping with her sister.”
Barbara sputtered in shock. “You never told me that!”
“I only heard it a few years ago and by then you two were already divorced so it was a moot point. It may or may not be true. Who knows? The person I heard it from lives for drama. The point is, he had a questionable history of behavior. He has cheated on every woman he’s ever dated. It wasn’t your fault that your marriage failed, it was his.”
Barbara held up a finger. “That’s not entirely true. It was my fault for marrying him. I knew what kind of man he was and I still married him. What a foolish girl I was.”
Prudence shrugged. “You were young and after what happened with Will – I mean after what happened with ‘he who shall remain nameless’, you were vulnerable.”
“It’s okay, Prunes, you can say his name. I know I didn’t tell you but we talked at your wedding and it kind of put things in perspective for me. A lot of the resentment I felt for him is gone.”
“Really? Oh Barbie I’m so glad to hear you say that! Maybe you two can…”
Barbara held up a hand. “No. If God wants me to date again He will have to make it clear as day to me. I mean neon sign clear. I’ve been burned too many times. Only a crazy person keeps doing the same thing over and over and expects a different result each time.”
A bark of laughter flew from Prudence’s mouth. “I’d hope that you won’t keep doing the same thing. Don’t marry Mr. Wrong next time. Marry Mr. Right!”
“Mr. Right, huh? Does such an animal exist?” Barbara asked drily.
Prudence replied with a hint of mystery in her prediction. “Indeed he does. Note that I didn’t say ‘Mr. Perfect’ I said ‘Mr. Right’. In fact I’m willing to bet that the right man is closer than you think.”
Barbara stifled a yawn as she warned Prudence, “I’m going to expire if you stay on this topic.”
Prudence promptly moved on to discussing the plans for the following day’s dinner party.
Chapter 2
Barbara awoke at 6:30 a.m. as if by clockwork. After saying her prayers and reading the Bible, she changed into her workout clothes and went for a fifty-minute jog around the neighborhood. Toby Mac belted out tunes on her iPod to keep her company.
Even though she was an easily recognizable face, she had managed to live her life, for the most part, without a security detail. Most of her industry friends and colleagues confided that they needed security personnel to feel “protected” and “safe”. Barbara thanked God that He was her shield and buckler. Sure, she took the necessary precautions but she knew that ultimately unless the Lord watches over the city the watchman guards it in vain. In this case, she was the city.
When she returned to the townhouse, she had a quick shower, dressed simply in a white sweater and blue jeans and went down to find some food.
The breakfast room was empty. Marie appeared several minutes later and said, “Monsieur Konstantinos has already eaten and is in his studio working and Madam Konstantinos is still in bed.”
Barbara ate some fruit as she
responded to messages on her phone and checked her email. She realized that her agent, Jackie Keenan, had emailed her a script from a casting agent. She downloaded the screenplay and was still in the process of reading it when Prudence appeared downstairs.
Barbara glanced up in surprise. She knew from past experience that Prudence was not an early riser. It was only 8:30 a.m. and Prudence looked fresh as a rose, dressed as she was in a pretty yellow sweater and a floral, pleated skirt with splashes of yellow, green and taupe.
Barbara was about to comment on Prudence’s early appearance when Marie emerged from the kitchen and cried, “Joyeux anniversaire, Madam Konstantinos!”
Barbara instantly remembered it was Prudence’s birthday. She jumped up and greeted her with a big hug, then joined Marie in serenading her with the birthday song.
“You’re up early,” she commented after Prudence sat down.
Prudence nodded as she poured hot water on her tea bag. “Yes, the party coordinator is coming at nine thirty.”
After breakfast, Prudence linked arms with Barbara and took her on the promised tour. The party coordinator arrived during the stroll through the lavish home with its open spaces and modern art deco design. After a brief chat with Prudence, she began directing the army of people who had arrived to set up for that night’s event.
They completed the tour and Barbara asked Prudence to join her in her room for a few minutes. She disappeared into the walk-in closet and returned with a gift that was wrapped in shiny silver paper and tied with a big purple bow.
“Happy birthday, Prunes. I pray that God will richly bless you with many more birthdays.”
Prudence pressed her hands to her mouth. She took the gift from Barbara and hugged her.
Even as her fingers tugged at the bow she said, “Thank you so much. You know that I’m going to open this right now, don’t you?”
Joyous laughter sprang from Barbara’s lips as she sat on the edge of the bed. “You wouldn’t be Prudence if you didn’t.”
Prudence quickly joined her and tore off the paper without ceremony.
“You know I don’t generally believe in delaying my gratification, unless, of course, doing so will lead to greater gratification.” She paused for a moment to caress the large black and silver Floria design gift box. “This is nice, Barbie. Let’s see what’s inside shall we?”
She eagerly lifted the cover and then squealed in delight. “These are exquisite! I love them!”
In the box laid a vintage gold and African Jade necklace with matching earrings and bracelet. Barbara had been praying about what to get Prudence and had awoken two months earlier with a vision of the pieces. Failing to find them in a jewelry store, she had designed the set herself and had them custom-made.
Prudence embraced her. “Thanks again. I’m wearing these tonight,” she said, closing the box and resting it carefully beside her on the bed. “Now, get your handbag. Today is my birthday and we are spending the day at the spa.”
They whiled away the next five hours having body treatments, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures at the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris. They also had their hair done. Barbara decided to go for something a little out of the ordinary and had the hairstylist pin her hair in an intricate up-do.
By the time Barbara and Prudence returned to the townhouse there were only a couple of hours left before the party kicked off. They separated in the foyer as Prudence went in search of the party coordinator and Barbara headed to her room.
An hour and a half later, Barbara, dressed in a red, one shoulder dress, slipped on gold, strappy, Manolo Blahnik shoes and left the room. As she made her descent down the stairs, she could hear conversation and laughter rising above the jazzy tones of the background music.
It seemed as though a few guests had already arrived. She spotted Prudence who looked stunning in a full-length camel hair gold silk dress. The jade and gold jewelry that Barbara had given her looked as though it had been created with the dress in mind. Barbara silently thanked God for inspiring her to have the gift made for her friend.
Prudence was conversing with a man who had his back to Barbara. There was something familiar about him...his stature…his broad shoulders…his dark blond hair. No! It couldn’t be!
Prudence spotted her as she descended and exclaimed, “Wow, look at you!”
Barbara almost tripped and fell on her face when Prudence’s cousin, Lord William Lamport III, turned and fixed his blue-eyed gaze on her.
She wanted to retreat to her room in that instant. Instead, she swallowed and willed herself to close the few steps between them.
William smiled at her. “Hullo, Barbara. How are you?”
Prudence excused herself to greet another guest, effectively abandoning Barbara to the only man in the world who could turn her insides to mush.
“Great. You?” She forced a smile and concentrated all of her acting ability to appear nonchalant.
She felt like kicking herself for being so foolish. How could she not have guessed that Prudence would have invited William? Sure, Prudence had said she’d only be asking her closest friends. But, William would have been counted among that number. They were as close as brother and sister. Prudence’s mysterious comment now made sense.
A waiter silently appeared beside them with a tray of Cristal Champagne. They each took a glass. Barbara took a sip of the cool liquid, trusting that it would get past the lump in her throat. Why did he have to be so devastatingly handsome? It would be so much easier to be composed if he was ordinary looking or even just your run-of-the-mill handsome man. Instead his looks were off the charts. They were set off by eyes so blue that staring into them was akin to falling into the deepest ocean. His dark blond hair, cut in a short, trendy style, looked like spun silk. His perfectly shaped mouth tempted her to remember each kiss they had shared. To top it off, he possessed a natural sense of style. Whether he was dressed in jeans or a tuxedo he always looked like he had just walked off the cover of a men’s fashion magazine.
On this occasion, for example, he was impeccably decked out in a charcoal suit worn with a white shirt and a gray and purple, diagonal stripe tie.
When her eyes met his she could see amusement twinkling in their depths. “Do you approve, then?”
“Approve?” she repeated stupidly, momentarily caught off guard.
“Of my appearance. I saw you giving me the once over.”
She laughed and glanced away as the tips of her ears instantly caught fire. As if he needs my approval.
“No. I mean, yes! I do…approve! You look very…uh…nice.” Great. Now she was fumbling for words like a buffoon.
“Thanks. You, on the other hand, look absolutely fabulous.”
He said the last two words slowly as his eyes ran over her form. His gaze returned to her face and his eyes fixed on hers as he took a slow sip of the champagne.
Barbara took a gulp of her champagne and glanced longingly at the staircase. Why was he still having this effect on her after all these years? Shouldn’t she have gotten over him by now? It was ridiculous.
“It’s a little warm in here, don’t you think?” she asked.
He gestured towards the softly lit terrace with his glass. “Would you like to step outside and get a bit of fresh air? It’s a lovely night.”
The idea of getting out in the open seemed like a good one.
She nodded. “Sure.”
It was a lovely night – starlit with wondrous effect. As Barbara leaned against the railings of the terrace that led out into the garden, a light spring breeze rose and she caught a whiff of William’s cologne – something spicy and manly. She took a deep breath and prayed for strength.
William leaned back on a column and observed her with his piercing eyes as he sipped his champagne. A waitress approached them with a tray of canapés and Barbara declined. She doubted that her stomach could hold anything else since the family of butterflies had moved in.
As they began to talk more guests
arrived and they were often interrupted by people who knew either one or both of them.
After this had happened for the fourth time, William leaned towards her and whispered in her ear, “Let’s go for a stroll in the garden, shall we? There’s something I want to discuss with you.”
Barbara hesitated for a few seconds. She had a sneaky suspicion about what he wanted to talk about and she wasn’t prepared for it at that moment. Still, it was probably better to have the conversation in private.
They left the terrace and made their way to the gardens. The full moon, assisted by thousands of twinkling lights strung through the branches of the trees, illuminated the gravel path. As they strolled through the garden, the party music and sounds of low voices talking and occasional bursts of laughter slowly receded into the background.
They came to a bench.
“Let’s sit here for a bit,” William said.
Beside him on the bench Barbara started to rub her palms up and down her arms.
“You’re cold,” he said as he took off his jacket.
“No, it’s okay,” she protested. “I forgot my shawl, I’ll just go back to my room and get it.”
He ignored her and placed his jacket over her shoulders.
“You’re not escaping from me that easily.” His tone was quiet and teasing. She felt goose bumps break out on her skin and knew that they had nothing to do with the coolness of the night.
She gulped. Might as well get this over with. “What’d you want to talk about?”
William took a moment before answering. He crossed his right ankle over his left leg and looked off into the night.
“The last time we were together you told me that it was too soon after your husband’s death for us to be together. It’s been almost a year. I’d like to know if you’re ready to move on now.”
Barbara sighed inwardly. Yes, it was just as she’d suspected.
“It’s complicated,” she said slowly, playing for time.
“How?”
“I’ve come to terms with Gerald’s death but I’m not ready to start seeing anyone.”
The Royal Couple: A Christian Romance (Royals Book 1) Page 2
