They drove to the small airport where his uncle’s private jet stood on the tarmac. It was hard to believe she was finally going to meet the uncle who’d taken care of him once he’d lost his parents.
A steward greeted Giannina as she and Philip climbed inside the luxurious jet. He showed them to the club section, where she sat across from Philip. The fasten-seat-belts sign went on and the private jet taxied to the runway.
He darted her a glance. “Have you phoned your brother to let him know what’s going on?”
“I will when we arrive.”
“We should be there in thirty minutes. I don’t want him to think I’ve kidnapped you like I wanted to do back in London.”
“Can you at least tell me what stopped you from spiriting me away back then, Philip? Please don’t tell me it was because you had to cover a story by yourself and couldn’t bring me along.”
“The truth is I didn’t want to put you in dangerous situations. I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”
“Are you saying your life was in danger covering those stories?”
“Even in London my life was in constant danger.” His admission sobered her. “But there was another reason too. You’d just finished your formal schooling and needed to get back home to work on your family’s paper. Because of your hard work, you’re now editor-in-chief of one of Europe’s most widely circulated newspapers. The numbers are growing. Have I told you how proud I am of what you’ve accomplished already?”
They’d reached cruising speed and the seat belt light went off. “Even if my father owns it?”
“Maybe more so. He would never make you the head if he didn’t know his daughter would turn it into a total success. Do you love it?”
She shot him an amused glance. “You mean the way you love being the top celebrated journalist in Europe?”
“Have I ever said I did?”
His question threw her. She leaned forward. “I just assumed as much. Are you saying you don’t?”
He quirked one eyebrow. “It has provided me with a living.”
“Plus adventures and literary prizes envied by your peers,” she added.
“I’ve been fortunate, but there are other ways to earn my daily bread that I believe will bring me more satisfaction.”
He’d told her that his life as a journalist was over, but it still surprised her. “After the life you’ve led, what will you do to make up for all the adventure you’ve known?”
“Many things I’ve longed to tackle for years. But for now I want to know the answer to the question I asked you a few minutes ago. Since you’ve run the Halkidiki News for a while, do you find that you love it?”
No one had ever asked her such a probing question. She had to think about it while the steward served them coffee. “I wouldn’t say I love it, but I can’t think of anything else that would stimulate me as much. At an early age, I loved reading the paper. Now that I’m in charge of putting one out every day, there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing it serves the public in a way nothing else does.”
“That answer explains why you captivated me from the beginning. Among everything else, you have an intriguing mind and a vision for what’s important.”
“Hardly.” She might love his compliments, but she wanted to hear what else he had to tell her. “I can’t put out a good newspaper without good reporting. A journalist like you only comes along once in several decades. Now that you’ve given up your career to do something else, the media is going to mourn the loss.”
“You flatter me, Giannina.” He got to his feet and returned their coffee cups to the sideboard just as the fasten-seat-belt sign flashed on. “We’re almost there. Buckle up.”
“I bet you can’t wait to see your uncle.”
“You’re right.” That sounded definite. For so long she’d wanted to meet him and learn more about Philip’s past. During the time they’d been in London, she’d fallen madly in love. But she hadn’t known all of him because he’d held a great deal back from her.
Since he’d come to her office in Salonica, she’d seen sides of him he’d never revealed. Much of his life had been a secret to her. There was more to this man than she would ever have dreamed, including the fact that he’d suddenly given up a sensational career. Too many thoughts bombarded her. But the fact that he’d asked her to marry him would have to satisfy her until she heard the rest.
She kept looking out the window, willing herself to be patient until he was ready to tell her everything. Before long the walled city of sixteenth-century Dubrovnik rose up to meet them. The blue waters of the Adriatic on the Dalmatian Coast dazzled the eye as they drew closer.
After landing, they left the jet and he carried her bag to a black, elegant sedan waiting for them. The delightful temperature had to be in the midseventies. She saw the driver nod to Philip, who smiled at him. This had been his world and she hadn’t known a thing about it. He’d kept so much from her and she had to admit it hurt.
Philip got in behind her and closed the door, placing her bag opposite them. After they fastened their seat belts, he spoke Croatian to their driver, Ivan, then turned to her. “I told him to take us directly to Cavtat.”
“Is that a suburb?”
“Not exactly. It’s the little town where my uncle lives about five minutes from here. His villa on the mountain is surrounded by pines and forests of cypress trees. If we have time, I’ll take you to explore Dubrovnik. It all depends on what he has planned for us.”
Her eyes fastened hungrily on the landscape that had been deemed a UNESCO world heritage site. “This is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s like looking at pictures in a fairy tale. I feel like I’m living in it with you.”
He gripped her hand and squeezed it. They followed the tree-lined road near the shore, then climbed into the green vegetation. With the sea below, she couldn’t imagine a more picturesque setting. As the car wound around, Giannina let out a cry. Somehow, she hadn’t been prepared for what she saw amid the greenery. This was no villa. He’d brought her to a Gothic palace so spectacular, she was close to speechless.
“Philip—when you talked about your uncle, I had no idea.”
“The family on his mother’s side dates back many centuries.”
“It’s glorious.”
“So is the estate. We’ll go down to the stable later and see it on horseback. When we were in London and went riding on Wimbledon Common, I could see what an accomplished rider you were. I’ve looked forward to the day when I could bring you here. Come on. Let’s go in. Uncle Zikos is waiting for us.”
He released her hand, then opened the door and got out before helping her. In the periphery she watched a man emerge from the palace.
“Marko,” Philip greeted him.
The other man smiled, then reached for her bag while Giannina was ushered inside and up a picture-lined stairway to an ornate salon on the second floor.
They’d barely entered the double doors when a distinguished-looking man who appeared to be in his midsixties hurried toward them. Silver streaked his dark hair. He was of average height and had penetrating brown eyes. She saw no resemblance between him and Philip. Either Philip’s mother or father had bequeathed him his dark blond coloring and blue eyes.
Judging by his uncle’s casual clothes and boots, she imagined he did a lot of riding too. His fit physique indicated he was an active man, and she had to admit he had a presence.
She watched through teary eyes as they embraced, admiring this man for raising his brother’s son who’d lost his family at such a vulnerable age.
* * *
“Uncle Zikos Novak?” Alex spoke in Greek. “May I present Giannina Angelis, the editor-in-chief of the Halkidiki News, and the daughter of the famous shipping owner Estefen Angelis.”
Zikos released him and reached for Gianinna’s hand. “It’s a great privilege to meet
you at last. Philip has talked of nothing but you since he met you in London.” He kissed the back of it.
“I could say the same thing about you. He told me about the time you and he traveled to Mount Athos. He said it was an amazing experience living with the monks, but more amazing being with you.”
A smile wreathed his face. “We’ve had many wonderful adventures together. Unlike my son, Baldo, Philip has a desire to explore life to the fullest. I’m convinced it’s what has made him an exceptional journalist. You’ve heard about people whose minds soak up knowledge like a sponge and act on it. That’s Philip. He can’t get enough. I have trouble keeping up with him.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” she murmured. “When I met Philip, he had already gained a sterling reputation as a top journalist. I found him a fascinating lecturer.”
“Tomorrow morning I’ll let you look at an album of pictures of him growing up with my family. There are photos of his college graduation, but right now I imagine you’re tired after the ordeal of your uncle’s arrest. You and Philip need to enjoy yourselves for what’s left of the rest of the day and evening. Marko will show you to your room, where I’ve arranged for your dinner to be served.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Kyrie Novak.”
“Call me Zikos. We don’t stand on ceremony around here.”
She nodded.
“I’ll come to your suite in a few minutes,” Alex whispered and watched her leave the salon with Marko.
After the door closed, Zikos smiled. “She’s a lovely woman. Though I’d seen pictures of her in the newspaper and the photos you showed me, none of them do justice to her in the flesh. How is she bearing up?”
His jaw hardened. “Amazingly well considering what she just learned about Hatzi.”
In a low voice Zikos asked, “How much does she know about you?”
“Very little. Today I asked her to marry me. Before the night is over, she’ll know everything.”
“You’ve waited a long time for this day.”
Alex nodded. “She still believes you’re my blood uncle. In all honesty, I feel that you are.” Emotion poured out of him. He hugged his uncle for a long time. “Remember that I’m naming you my prime minister.” Alex drove the point home. “I hope we’re clear about that. Father was about to make you his own prime minister until that ghastly night.”
Zikos’s eyes dimmed for a moment. Clearing his throat, he said, “You and I will convene the old parliament that’s ready to serve you. Before long there’ll be a coronation. It can’t come soon enough for every Hellenian.”
Alec swallowed hard. “I couldn’t have done anything without you. No man ever had a better friend than you. I owe you my life, Zikos.”
“Your father saved mine years ago from a bullet during the war. If he hadn’t given me help on the battlefield, I would have died. We became great friends and stood up for each other at our weddings. It was my privilege to take you to safety when General Ruiz swept in. But his days are over.”
“After all this time...”
“That’s right. Judging by the way you feel about Giannina, I’d say it should have come yesterday.”
“Even though I’ve proposed to her, it’s more than possible she’ll refuse me when I reveal who I really am. I’ve known fear, but nothing like I’m experiencing now. I may have lost her for good, Uncle.”
“Nonsense. When she learns your reasons for protecting her, I feel certain she’ll understand.”
He shook his head. “If I don’t miss my guess, trust means everything to Giannina. Ari broke her family’s trust. I have to admit I’m frightened when she hears that I’ve broken hers for three long years.”
“Have faith, my boy. Your reasons aren’t like anyone else’s. I’ll be in my office in case you need me. Go and enjoy this precious time with her.”
Philip gave him another hug and left the salon, breathless to spend time with Giannina. She could have no idea how he’d longed to be rid of the pretense and emerge as his total self. But as he knocked on the door of her suite, fear swept through him again. In London she’d fallen for a journalist named Philip Dimas with dark blond hair and blue eyes. She’d loved him, but she might not like Prince Alexandros, an unknown in every way.
He thought about how he’d feel if their positions were reversed. If she were the one in disguise, she would be breathtaking whether she were a blonde or a redhead with green or blue eyes instead of warm brown. In his gut he knew the transformation wouldn’t matter to him, but he couldn’t speak for her.
“Come in.”
Alex walked in the sitting room. The smell of her shampoo preceded her appearing in a pair of tan pants and a café-au-lait print blouse. When he’d first met her, he’d thought her a miracle of femininity and curves.
She’d left her wavy brunette hair loose to let it dry. Never had she looked more enticing to him than she did right now. “Do you have everything you need?”
Her smile melted him. “Your uncle is very kind. I’m being treated like a queen.”
“He knows how much I love you. Just now I told him I asked you to marry me. He heaved an enormous sigh of relief.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “So did I.”
He laughed. They clung to each other and kissed until they couldn’t breathe. With reluctance he relinquished her lips. “Let’s eat and take a ride before it gets too dark. When we get back, we’ll have that long talk I promised you.”
She pressed her lips to his jaw before they walked over to a small dining table where their meal had been placed. He pulled out a chair, touching her hair intentionally as she sat down. It was like pure silk. The need to twine his fingers in it left him with unassuaged longings that were growing out of control.
“My uncle has had a favorite Croatian meal prepared in your honor.”
“That’s exciting. What’s it called?”
“Black risotto because of the squid ink. Since I know you like fish, I think you’ll enjoy this. I’ll warn you now the seafood flavor is intense. It’s made with squid, olive oil, red wine and garlic.”
“Squid, huh?” Her soft brown eyes twinkled in amusement.
He watched her take a bite and grinned. “What’s the verdict?”
She munched for a minute. “I think it will be an acquired taste, but don’t tell your uncle I said that.”
Philip chuckled.
Once they’d finished eating apple-cherry strudel, another Croatian delicacy, they left her suite. He walked her down a rear staircase and out the back of the palace. Their arms and hips brushed against each other as they headed for the stables in the distance. Desire licked through him.
“I haven’t ridden for ages,” Giannina chatted. “I’ve been too busy at the paper.”
“There hasn’t been a lot of time for me either. I’ve chosen a chestnut mare for you named Yasmine. Rolf has everything ready for us. The older man has been in Zikos’s employ at least twenty years.”
“Then you know him well. How lovely, Philip.”
“His loyalty means everything.”
She nodded. “Do you have a favorite horse here?”
“Yes. Haj, an Arabian I’m particularly fond of. There he is now.”
Rolf had brought their mounts out in the open. Haj neighed when he saw Alex coming.
Giannina had ridden from childhood and walked around to get acquainted with Yasmine. “You’re a beauty.” The mare nudged her. “Shall we go for a ride?” She took the reins from Rolf and swung herself in the saddle with feminine grace.
Alex mounted his black gelding. “Ready?” Giannina was the beauty he’d loved for so long.
They rode side by side along one of his favorite trails through a grassy meadow of wildflowers. It rose higher and higher. He felt they’d entered another world and needed to treasure this moment before his revelation ruined
everything.
CHAPTER FIVE
A WARM BREEZE ruffled Gianinna’s hair. When they reached the summit, her eyes took in the small town at the base of the mountain where the land met the sea. The sun had dropped into the ocean, providing a magnificent backdrop for Philip silhouetted astride Haj.
His chiseled jaw and features stood out. No man alive could ever match his sinfully good looks. He had a virile masculinity unique among the men she’d met. But the outward appearance was only a portion of what made him the man Giannina loved. A fire burned inside him combined with intelligence and a certain elegance that set him apart. His instincts, his drive, fascinated her. To think he was going to be her husband!
Giannina knew he’d given up journalism for something else far more challenging to him. That’s what he still had to tell her. She couldn’t imagine what it was but realized he could do anything if it was what he wanted. Not every man or woman had that remarkable ability. He’d laid claim to her heart a long time ago and she adored him.
“Do we really have to wait for that talk?” She smiled at him. “I’d hoped during this lovely ride you would open up to me. We’re alone at last. You do realize that when you left me in London, you promised that one day you’d disclose all the reasons for your behavior over the last three years. On the boat earlier you said the same thing. Yet here we are and I’m still in the dark.”
A troubled look had crossed over his handsome features. “You’re right. It’s time.” There was a solemnity about him that surprised her. “But I’d rather talk to you in your apartment. Let’s go.”
He’d asked her to give him time. Her heart beat faster in anticipation of what he would tell her. Just a little longer, Giannina.
When they reached the stable, she quickly dismounted and handed the reins to Rolf. “Yasmine is a treasure.”
“Philip chose her especially for you.”
She smiled at the older man, then at Philip. “He has a good eye.”
“Indeed he does.”
Philip jumped down and accompanied her to the palace. They walked up the back stairs to her suite. When they reached the door, she thought he’d come right in with her. But she’d been wrong.
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