“Yes, I am. I can feel it now. And you have been with me all night, haven't you?”
“Every moment, my love. I did not dare to leave you.”
“You stayed to fight the battle with me.”
“We fought it together.”
“I felt you. It was as though a tide was trying to carry me on, but you were holding me against your heart and I knew that as long as you held me, I was safe.”
Then he frowned as though trying to remember something and asked,
“Who is Charon, my darling?”
“Charon?”
“Yes, when I awoke you were lying with your arm over me, murmuring in your sleep.”
Dazed, she sat up and tried to think.
“Did I actually say his name? I don't remember that. I only remember that he had no face.”
“But who is he?”
“Later, my love.”
There would be a time to discuss these mysteries with him, but it was not now.
They could hear the ship coming to life around them. Vanda hastily slid off the bed as the doctor returned, bringing with him the Captain.
It was soon clear to everyone that the danger was past and Robert needed only rest and good nursing.
But the Captain had another worry.
“What should be done with the woman who shot you?” he asked Robert. “If you wish me to hand her over to the police, of course I will but –”
He finished with a helpless gesture that spoke volumes about the horror of having to drag the passengers back to be witnesses in a trial. Or worse still, having them detained in Greece indefinitely.
“There is no need for that,” Robert said. “Send for the British Consul and release her to him. Then let us set sail.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” said the Captain gratefully.
Vanda had slipped out of the cabin and gone to stand on deck, looking out over the water, sparkling in the early morning sun. She stood there until the brilliant light had driven the last of the darkness away.
Only she knew how different it might have been.
They had been together during that long night and they had emerged victorious together because their love was eternal.
Then she grew suddenly still at something she thought she saw on the horizon. The harbour was crowded with boats, large and small, and there was no chance that she could distinguish one from another. And yet –
And yet –
Far off she seemed to make out one small boat, with a tall figure standing in it, motionless.
“Charon,” she whispered. “Perhaps there are more battles to be fought in the times ahead, but however often you return for him, I shall be there to fight you away.
“I want long years with him, many children and grandchildren. But be patient. One day we will climb into your ferry together, and you can take us both across the Styx to that other world where we will never be parted.”
The sun flashed, forcing her to close her eyes. When she opened them again, Charon and his ferry had gone.
She stayed on deck until the British Consul arrived and went below. A few moments later he re-appeared with Felicity, who cast Vanda a look of hatred, before lifting her chin and marching haughtily ashore.
At once the ship sprang into feverish life. Everyone was anxious to sail away quickly.
Vanda returned to Robert's cabin just as Sir Steven was leaving.
“Everything is fine,” he announced testily. “I have dressed the wound again and there is no sign of infection. He should make a full recovery. Now, if nobody minds, I would like continue with my holiday.”
He stalked away in high dudgeon.
Vanda slipped into Robert's cabin to find him sitting up in bed, his eyes bright with health. He raised his good arm to her and she joined him on the bed.
She moved carefully so as not to injure him, but at once he tightened his arm about her and she could feel his renewed strength.
Then he was kissing her and his kisses were full of vigour and life.
She felt her heart give itself to Robert forever, knowing that she would never want anything or anyone but him and his love.
“We will travel straight home,” he said, “and marry as soon as possible. And then we can never be parted again.”
He kissed her and she put her arms about his neck, returning his kisses with fervour.
“How could we have been so long together without discovering our love?” he murmured.
“We discovered it when the time was right,” she insisted. “We needed to be friends and companions first and that will always be part of our love.”
“Yes. Now I know why no other woman ever satisfied me completely. They all lacked that extra 'something' that I only found in you and which will satisfy and fulfil me all my life.”
His brow darkened as he added,
“When I saw that woman aim at your heart, I knew that if she killed you, my own life would be over.”
“But I feel the same,” she said passionately. “My life is nothing without you.”
He did not reply in words, but he nodded, his eyes meeting hers in perfect communion.
Not only their hearts but their minds were as one, and their union would be strong for all eternity.
“I ask nothing but to be with you,” he said. “Love me, my darling, for now I have found you and I know I can never do without you again. Promise to stay with me forever. ”
“Forever,” Vanda agreed. “And beyond.”
“And beyond,” he repeated. “Then we shall have everything – perfect happiness, perfect ecstasy, perfect love.”
She nestled into his arms with a sigh of deep contentment.
The ship had started to move. They could feel it thrumming as it glided out of the port towards the horizon, towards the light, towards the future.
In Search of Love Page 14
