“This is from Alexos Manetas“her voice full of shock as her father had nodded.
“The man wishes to woo you in expectation of marriage” his eyes flashing brightly
“You will of course accept his offer” his eyes holding hers as he had pointed to the other letters discarded on the floor “Or is there one there you would prefer?”
“No!” she had cried out in horror before dropping her eyes to the well-worded letter in which Alexos had sought her father’s permission to call on her. The tone of his note was respectful and correct, so different from the others which had talked of her net worth to them.
“I…I mean Mr Manetas …I would very much enjoy his call”
With a big smile breaking out onto his cruel face her father had nodded approvingly.
“Then I will contact him on your behalf, although it is expected that you would add in a small note yourself…you will provide me with something by the end of the day”
Backing out of the room she had felt the surge of relief fill her and bubble up into a smile, not sure why this option was so much better than the others. Her mind once more going to the way he had kissed her, his gentleness more she knew than she could ever expect from the other men. Rushing back to her room she had pulled out pen and paper frowning in concentration as she had penned a reply to him.
Dear Alexos
I look forward to seeing you once more. It would give me great pleasure to show you the breathtaking scenery that we enjoy in Italy, although it may not offer more than that of your island and the wildlife you were so kind as to show me.
I truly look forward to our next meeting
Regards
Grace
Racing back down, her father had raised an eyebrow in surprise at how quickly she had responded, his eyes scanning the sheet with a sigh.
“Hardly romantic…but I suppose…” his attention once more returning to his work an indication that she was no longer welcome.
That afternoon she had sat in the small cafe, her friend Daryle listening attentively to her words.
“He can’t make you marry Grace” his voice soft and comforting as she had looked at him with disbelief.
“You have met my father?” she had said in an unnaturally high voice, passing her hand nervously over her brow groaning softly.
“I had to agree to Alexos because the others were so……..” she had not finished shuddering instead.
He had given her a small wicked grin.
“Oh I’ve seen pictures of Alexos Manetas …if you don’t want him…I will take him. Is he really that gorgeous?” Grace giving him a nod as she had laughed.
“You are such a slut Daryle” he laughing back. She had been the only other person that he had confided in that he was gay, not prepared to admit this to his family, staunchly traditional in their outlook.#p#分页标题#e#
“They can’t force you to go through with this Grace…just say no…or leave. You could just leave home and do what YOU want to do”
She had given him another pained look.
“If I do that he will find me and force me back” Sighing wearily she had reminded him of the club that had allowed her to join without his consent, her father forcing them out of the facilities they needed to run.
“While I am of any use to him at all…he will find me and force me back…and with Alexos Manetas he thinks that he has struck pay-dirt. One sniff of dissent and I will not be allowed to leave the house until the wedding”
Daryle had given her a small snort before pausing, his voice becoming slower and thoughtful.
“Do you remember the job in the UK that I told you about?”
She had nodded her voice becoming soothing “Yeah…the one for a married partner…your dream job?”
Nodding he had looked at her, a smile coming to his lips “Seems that you and I have a similar problem. I need a wife” giving a small laugh “and we both know that isn’t going to happen…and you need some way to be of no value to your father”
Looking at him with a questioning frown on her face he had smiled “What if you married me? If we eloped, got married and moved to the UK?”
Grace had given him a playful smack. “Idiot” she had laughed, rising with a sigh, Daryle looking embarrassed as he had nodded back. “Yeah …. I guess” as he too had rose to give her a small peck on the cheek.
“OK…I will catch you tomorrow”
However, the following day she had not made her usual visit to the shelter, surprised instead with an unexpected phone call from Alexos. His sensual voice had once more sent tremors through her, tremors she did not understand.