Part 16 (2/2)

Now, at last, his mouth curved into a reminiscent smile. 'Oh, she was indeed,' he agreed. 'But I have to admit,' he mused, 'that was part of your charm ...'

'Novelty value? After all those flunkeys kow-towing to you?' she probed wickedly.

'Very possibly,' he said dryly. 'But,' he went on-and his voice had changed, was serious now-'Kat stood up for herself, and so did Thea. Whatever I threw at them.'

Again she laid a finger across his mouth. 'No-the past is over.'

He caught her finger with his lips and kissed it, and then kissed her mouth.

'Only the future matters now,' he told her, and cradled her yet closer against him. But though his arms were strong about her, his voice, when he spoke again, was uncertain-hesitant. 'Your name is yours, and yours alone to choose, but ...' He paused, then took an indrawn breath.

Thea could see the sudden tension in his face, the uncertain wariness in his eyes.

'Would you consider,' he went on, 'taking another name? Would you consider taking the name Mrs Angelos Petrakos?'

She stilled, looking up at him. Then, out of nowhere, his features blurred.

His head dipped to hers, his mouth to hers.

She clung to his mouth, her hands winding up around his neck, holding him to her.

'It's a wonderful name,' she said. 'The best I could ever have!'

He pulled back from her a fraction, love blazing from him. For a moment they only gazed at each other. Then words were no longer necessary.

EPILOGUE.

MRS ANGELOS PETRAKOS stood at the rail of the deck and glanced up at her husband. Love turned over in her heart. Angelos smiled down at her. The sea breeze ruffled his hair, and the rays of the setting sun bronzed his skin. Before them, the azure hues of the Aegean were turning molten, and the lights in the harbour on the distant sh.o.r.e were gleaming in the growing dusk. Warmth enveloped her-and not just the warmth of the Greek summer.

The soft chug of the yacht's engine sent a low vibration through the hull as the boat made its slow way along the coastline.

'Are you sure you want such a remote honeymoon?' Angelos asked her. 'We could easily put into port, if you prefer.'

Thea smiled. 'I think your private island sounds idyllic,' she told him.

'I hope you like it,' he said, that note of uncertainty still in his voice.

'I like anywhere that you are,' she said, and leant against him, feeling the lean strength of his body supporting her.

She lifted her gla.s.s of champagne to her lips, and Angelos did likewise.

'Drink it slowly,' he advised her. 'It's heady stuff.'

She laughed. 'I will. I'm still very, very cautious about alcohol. But I do think-' her eyes gleamed '-that on my wedding day I should risk a gla.s.s of champagne.'

He bent to kiss her. 'And perhaps for breakfast tomorrow?'

Thea shook her head. 'Orange juice,' she said firmly.

He smiled fondly. 'Then orange juice it shall be. Everything in the world that you want that is in my power, shall be.'

Her eyes lit with emotion. 'Oh, my darling Angelos-I have very simple needs. I need only one thing in my life, now and for ever.' She paused, fighting the sudden tightening of her throat. So much anger and bitterness and hatred and tears had gone by, and now all that dark past was over-truly over. Her life was beginning again-anew, afresh-and at her side was all she wanted. All she would ever want.

'I only need you ...' she said.

He raised his gla.s.s to her. 'You have me for ever,' he promised her. 'And my love for all eternity.'

'And you have mine,' she vowed.

She touched his gla.s.s with hers, and they drank a toast to each other, to their love together. A long, deep sigh escaped her, rich with happiness. Angelos's arm wrapped around her shoulder and they stood, side by side, gazing out across the sea towards their future together.

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.a.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

and TM are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

First published in Great Britain 2011 by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR Julia James 2011.

ISBN: 978-1-408-92592-8.

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