by Sara Craven
She found herself wondering, absurdly, what would have happened if the original nymph had stood her ground and cracked Apollo as hard as she could. Maybe he'd have abandoned his seduction, and she could have gone on happily swimming in her river.
And maybe not. It was never a good thing to cross the ancient gods. Or Nic Xandreou, for that matter, although his slap across the face had been fully deserved.
Presumably he was so used to women going down like ninepins under the force of his sexual charisma that he'd taken her compliance for granted.
Well, he could nurse the realisation that he was wrong about her along with his bruised face.
He was wrong, too, if he thought that Katie could simply be bought off.
There isn't enough money in the world, Xandreou, she thought savagely as she paid off the taxi driver.
Maria was at Reception when she called for the room key. The older woman gave her a venomous look, then disappeared behind the beaded curtain behind the desk which led to the family quarters. A moment later, Kostas appeared, wiping his moustache. His normal dazzling smile had disappeared, and his expression seemed stuck at some halfway mark between wariness and embarrassment.
'Kyria Dryden.’ He weighed the key in his hand. 'I regret there is a problem. A mistake in reservations. Your room is needed for other people—a prior booking, you understand. I must ask you to vacate it tomorrow.’
Camilla felt as if she'd been poleaxed.
'But you can't do that. We have a fortnight's booking, paid in advance,' she protested.
He spread his hands in a sketch of an apology. 'All your money will be refunded. I am sorry for the inconvenience.'
'Inconvenience, you call it.' Camilla's voice shook. She was angrily aware that Maria was watching with sour triumph from behind the curtain. 'If you've made a mistake, the least you can do is find us another room.'
Kostas looked uneasier than ever. 'That would be difficult for me, thespinis. I don't want trouble. It would be better if you left Karthos, I think. Take the ferry—go to Zakynthos. I have a friend with a hotel in Alikes—very pretty, very quiet.’
'Oh, I see.' Camilla was getting more furious by the second. 'You don't just want us out of the hotel but off the island too. Tell me, Kostas, would Nic Xandreou have any hand in this?'
A dull flush showed under his skin. ‘Thespinis, this is not easy for me, but it is impossible you stay in my hotel. I give you back your money, and you go, ne?’
Camilla picked up her key with all the dignity she could assume. She said, "Don't worry. We wouldn't dream of staying on.’
She was near to tears as she went upstairs. She hadn't escaped from Nie Xandreou at all, nor scored even a moral victory. That had been illusion. Even at a distance he had the power to harm her.
One phone call from the clinic was all it had taken. An act of spiteful retaliation for that slap on the face. And Kostas, like a good vassal, was carrying out the orders from his overlord. I should have kept my temper, she berated herself as she unfastened the shutters and stepped out on to the balcony. Let him think I was prepared to negotiate. Bought us some more time here. Now I've blown it completely. We'll have to go back to England, she thought, and get the best legal advice we can afford. Which means that Katie's love-affair is going to be distorted into a sordid wrangle over child support. And Spiro, in his blank, confused world, won't even know.
And now she would have to find Katie and break the bad news to her—all of it.
She was turning away, when she saw a familiar figure walk into the restaurant area below, and stand looking round her, hand on hip, head arrogantly high.
Arianna Xandreou, she thought. Sent by big brother to check we've got our inarching orders. She picked up the silk blouse she'd laundered the night before, and left the bedroom.
On the stairs, she met Arianna on her way up. The Greek girl treated her to a mischievous smile.
'So,' she said. 'You called up the storm and survived. I am all admiration.’
'Oh.' Camilla paused, taken aback. 'You— you know what happened?'
'Not everything, and I did not dare ask. I don't have your courage, po, po, po. My brother is not accustomed to opposition.’
'Then he'll have to get used to it.' Camilla drew a furious breath. 'Because I'll go on fighting him every step of the way—even if he does get me deported from Karthos. And you can tell him so.’
Arianna shrugged a slim shoulder. 'I don't think so,' she said drily. 'But what is this "deport"? You are leaving Karthos?'
'Not of my own free will.’ Camilla bit her lip. 'Your brother tried to buy us off, and when I—refused he instructed the hotel to throw us out. We're homeless as from tomorrow.’
Arianna's brows snapped together. She said flatly, ‘No, Nic would not do such a thing. He would despise it. It is the action of a man with a small mind, and though he has many faults he is not that.’
'But Kostas didn't deny it when I asked if your brother was involved,' Camilla argued. 'And I did make him very angry.’
'Yes.' Arianna's tone gloated. 'More angry than I can remember. With Spiro there are often explosions. But Nic—always he stays as cold as ice. So it is good for him that someone does not do as he wants—and even better when that someone is a woman.’ She nodded. 'Come, we will talk together.’
Camilla hung back. ‘I don't want you to get into trouble with your—family.’
Arianna's smile was impish. 'No problem. And you need me, Camilla Dryden, if your sister is to see Spiro—and make him remember.’
Astounded, Camilla found herself seated at a table, sipping iced peach juice, fresh and tangy in tall glasses.
She said in a low voice, 'You mean you're prepared to help? But why?’
Arianna shrugged. 'Spiro is my brother, and I love him. I want him to be happy, but in his own way, not that of Nic,' she added emphatically. 'And maybe, one day, you can also help me, ne?’
'If I can, perhaps,’ Camilla agreed warily. The lovely Arianna was clearly up to something, but she couldn't figure out what it was.
'So Nic offered you money.'
‘Yes.’ Camilla flushed stormily at the memory.
‘Do not blame him too much,’ Arianna said calmly. ‘Life, I think, has taught him that everything and everyone has a price. But you refused him?’
Camilla drank some peach juice. ‘Not in so many words,’ she said guardedly. ‘I just - lost my temper.’
‘That is good.’ Arianna gave a vigorous nod. ‘Because that gives you an excuse to stay - to have more discussions with Nic.’
‘I don’t think so,’ Camilla paused. ‘Your brother won’t want to see me again.’
Arianna smiled. ‘No?’ she glanced past Camilla. ‘See for yourself.’
Camilla twisted round in her chair in time to see Nic Xandreou, with a face like thunder stride under the vine-clad archway, and head straight for their table.
The storm she'd summoned up was about to break.
CHAPTER SIX
Camilla pushed her chair back and got to her feet, aware that she was trembling.
'Come to evict us in person, Xandreou?' she challenged as he reached them.
Nic Xandreou frowned, his dark gaze stormy as it flicked over her. 'No, thespinis, to find my sister.’ He looked down at Arianna who was toying with the straw in her glass. 'I saw your car in the square,’ he said flatly. 'What are you doing here?'
Arianna shrugged. 'I decided to save Kyria Dryden the trouble of returning the shirt you lent her.’ She held up the garment in question.
‘Yes.’ he acknowledged after a brief pause. 'I remember.'
It occurred to Camilla exactly what he was recalling to mind, and sudden warmth invaded her face.
'And now we are having a farewell drink together,’ the Greek girl added pointedly.
Nic Xandreou turned back to Camilla. 'You are truly leaving?'
He had the unmitigated gall to sound surprised. Camilla's gaze dwelt vengefully on the reddened mark
on his cheek. Her only regret was that she hadn't given him a black eye.
She said, clearly and coldly, 'You should know, kyrie. You arranged it? after all.'
'I?' His frown deepened. 'Naturally I welcome the wisdom of your decision, but what has it to do with me?'
'Because of you, Camilla and her sister have been told to leave the hotel,' Arianna supplied.
'Nonsense.' He gave Camilla an ironic look. 'You credit me with more influence than I possess, thespinis.’
'Naturally you'd deny it,' she returned tautly.
'I am not in the habit of lying.' His mouth tightened. 'Nor have I reason to do so. However I will speak to Kostas Philippides so you may judge for yourself.'
Kostas arrived, his face sullen. Camilla could understand little of the conversation which followed, but the hotel-keeper was clearly on the defensive, hands waving as he gesticulated angrily towards the hotel.
Nic dismissed him with obvious impatience, and gave Camilla a grim look. ‘It is Maria, his wife, who demands your departure, thespinis. Because of you, a member of her family has been insulted, and she refuses, in consequence, to allow you to stay.'
'Because of me?' Camilla sank back into her chair. 'But that's ridiculous. I've done nothing.'
'You hired a scooter,' Nic reminded her. He sighed angrily, 'I spoke to Andonis about it-warned him he would be reported to the police if he continued to rent out machines in that condition.’ His mouth twisted. 'It was not a friendly interview.’
'Andonis is related to Maria?' Camilla asked blankly.
'Her nephew.' He paused. 'Another works here as a waiter.’
'Yes,’ she said. He told me how to find you, she thought. And he was the one who called 'Xandreou's woman' after me yesterday.
'Andonis has complained to his aunt. She witnessed your return to the hotel yesterday, it seems, and has told Kostas you are a troublemaker and also morally suspect.’
'But that's absurd.’ Camilla pressed her hands to her hot face as the memory of that parting insult of a kiss tormented her once more. 'She wouldn't turn us out—just for that, surely?'
Nic shrugged. 'She has lived all her life on Karthos,' he said flatly. 'It does little to broaden the mind, believe me. But the root cause of her anger is my threat to Andonis. I have assured Kostas you are blameless, but Maria has a bad temper and a wicked tongue, and his life will be a misery to him unless he carries out her wishes.’
‘So, in fact it is true. Camilla and her sister are being turned out of the hotel because of you!' Arianna exclaimed, her eyes glinting.
'I suppose—yes.’He gestured angrily. 'But I could not know that my words with Andonis would have such a repercussion.’
Arianna leaned back in her chair. 'Then we must make amends, Nic.’
'What do you mean?' His tone was biting.
She looked back at him blandly. 'We cannot let two girls, one of them pregnant, be turned on to the streets. We are responsible, my brother, so we must help.’ She paused. "They must stay with us at the Villa Apollo.’
Camilla heard Nic's sharp intake of breath, and froze in shock.
'No,' they both said, in sharp and explosive union.
Arianna laughed. 'So, you agree on something, if only to disagree.’ She lifted a graceful shoulder. 'But I think there is no choice.’ She paused. 'If not the villa, then the sea house. It is never used, and Soula can look after them.’
"There's no need,' Camilla protested into a loaded silence. 'All we need is another hotel room somewhere…’
'That is not so easy.’ Arianna pulled a face. 'Karthos is full at this season. And, besides, what has happened to you is an outrage against philoxenia—the welcome we Greeks give to the strangers among us.’ She turned to Nic. 'Tell her, brother.’
He looked as if he'd been carved from stone. 'Arianna is right,’ he said icily. 'You have been wronged because of me, and I must make reparation. I offer you our—hospitality for the remainder of your stay.’
She said between her teeth, 'I'd rather sleep on the beach.’
'But that would not be good for your sister,’ Arianna pointed out. 'Also the tourist police do not allow. Better you come to us.’
There was a silence. Nic's face was expressionless, but Camilla had the sensation of harsh emotion barely under control.
At last, he said tautly, 'The sea house is at your disposal, thespinis. You will be transferred there tomorrow.' He paused. 'It is at a distance from the Villa Apollo, so we shall be able to respect each other's privacy.'
The warning was unequivocal, Camilla realised. The villa and Spiro were still strictly out of bounds.
‘I understand.' She lifted her chin.
‘I thought you would.' Nic nodded curtly. 'Now I shall go and make the necessary arrangements.’ He looked at his sister. 'And you, Arianna?'
'I have still some shopping.' Her face was guileless
'Then I'll see you later.’ His tone was clipped as his glance flicked once more to Camilla, 'Until tomorrow, thespinis?’
Camilla watched his tall figure stride away, and collapsed back in her chair. She said wanly, 'Arianna, you've put me in an impossible position. I—we can't accept this offer.’
'You wish to stay on Karthos, ne?’ Arianna's smile was cat-like. 'Then that is the important thing—not your pride, or even this quarrel with Nic, which made him hold his hand to his face when he followed you from the garden today.’ she added slyly.
Camilla bit her lip. 'Your brother and I are better apart, believe me,’ she said constrictedly.
'So, the sea house will be perfect.’ Arianna said with a shrug. 'Because Nic never goes there. It was where he spent his honeymoon, so it has bad memories for him.’
'Oh, God.’ Camilla said huskily. 'This gets worse all the time. Katie and I are the least people he'd want in a place with such—personal associations.’
'All the more reason for him to keep away,’ Arianna returned caustically. 'And Soula will be happy to have someone to look after again. She was our nurse when we were children, and has been with us in America and Australia, so she speaks English.’ She leaned forward, eyes gleaming. 'And once you are living in the sea house it can be arranged for your sister and Spiro to see each other again. No problem.’ She pushed back her chair. 'Now it would be good if Katie and I met, ne?’
Camilla said mechanically, 'Yes, of course. We'll go and find her.’
Her legs were shaking as she got to her feet. The full implications of what she'd agreed to were just starting to sink in. She was about to become the guest of Nic Xandreou, resident on his property, if not actually under his roof.
'No problem'. The phrase—the Greek panacea for everything—echoed mockingly in her mind.
Camilla shivered inwardly. My God, she thought, if only it were true.
They found Katie on the beach. She listened in grave silence while Camilla, with certain prudent exceptions, recounted everything that had happened since their arrival on Karthos.
Katie went very white when she heard the details of Spiro's accident, and its effects, but seemed to accept Arianna's assurance that he was expected to recover fully in time.
‘But I should be with him,’ she said anxiously. ‘He needs me.’
'Of course.’ Arianna patted her arm. 'Unfortunately, little one, we now have to persuade my stubborn older brother too.’
Katie gave her a wavering smile. The two girls had taken to each other on sight, rather to Camilla's surprise. Arianna was light years ahead of Katie in sophistication, and, Camilla suspected, guile. They shouldn't have had a thought in common. However...
‘A young sister.’ Ariamia had laughed. 'Just what I always wanted. Spiro told me I would love you.’
'He spoke about me?' Katie asked wistfully.
'Of course. He knew I would be happy for him.’ Arianna sighed. 'But Me was a different story.’ She shook her head. 'My God, what a quarrel. The whole of Karthos must have heard it.’
Katie looked tr
oubled. 'Spiro told me there might be—difficulties.’
'My brothers have always fought.’ Arianna said serenely. 'It's nothing. But Nic has strong views on marriage. He says like must marry like, or there can be no happiness. And he'd planned a bride for Spiro,’ she added almost casually. 'Already there'd been discussions with the girl's family, so he was not pleased when Spiro said he'd made his own choice.’
'After all, it was only what Nic had done himself, as Spiro was quick to remind him.’ She pulled a face. 'He was so angry. Even after five years, there is still pain for him when he remembers.’
'Well, that's understandable,’ Camilla said constrictedly. Although Nic Xandreou was hardly the pattern of the grieving widower, she thought, wondering what his wife had been like. Some gentle doe-eyed Greek girl, no doubt, who'd treated him like a god.
She said, 'If he wants this marriage so much, why doesn't he marry the girl himself?' and was surprised at the sharpness in her voice.
Ariannaa shrugged. 'There is a saying, ne, that once burned you fear the fire?' Her smile was worldly. 'Besides, Nic amuses himself very well. There is a girl in Athens, and another, I think, in New York. Why should he choose one dish, when a banquet is waiting?'
Why indeed? Camilla thought hollowly.
She got to her feet. 'I'd better start packing if we're moving tomorrow.’
‘Shall I help?’ Katie sat up.
‘No, stay where you are.' Camilla forced a smile. 'Enjoy the sun.’
'And I will stay too,’ Arianna said. (We will talk, Katie mou, become friends as well as sisters. Make Spiro happy.'
Arianna certainly knew the right things to say, Camilla thought as she walked back to the hotel. And she was clearly going to be an important ally in the battle to reunite Spiro and Katie.
So why do I feel there's more going on than meets the eye? she wondered restively. Beware the Greeks when they come bearing gifts. That was the old saying, although it seemed ungrateful to remember it.
The hotel seemed totally deserted as she threaded her way between the tables in the courtyard, but she had the oddest feeling that she was being watched as she went up the outside stairway to the room. She glanced back over her shoulder, but could see no one. Perhaps the malignant Maria's evil eye was operating at a distance, she thought, deriding herself for being over-fanciful.
