Moon of Aphrodite by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online

kind of liberties. And she ignored the
    smal warning voice which suggested that a man like Damon Leandros took what he
    chose, as he wished, and without counting the cost.
    As she worked, she was aware of him watching her, his dark face enigmatic as she
    thrust her toilet bag on top of her night things, and threw her hairbrush in after them.
    As she clicked the locks shut, she ignored his outstretched hand.
    'Perhaps you would bring the others.' She nodded . towards her other cases, standing
    under the window.
    'I'l have them brought down, certainly,' he said evenly, after a pause, and she
    suppressed a grin. Beneath his dignity, obviously, to walk behind her carrying two large
    cases, she thought . Perhaps she had discovered his vulnerable point. He didn't like to
    look ridiculous. And that, she thought, with the vaguest germ of an idea forming in her
    head, could be just too bad for Mr. Macho Leandros!
    As she walked along the corridor towards the lift, Helen became aware of two excitedly
    giggling chambermaids observing her from a linen room. She glanced questioningly at
    Damon, who smiled faintly.
    'They are pleased to see you.' he said. 'Your grandfather is a much loved man.'
    She felt as if he was waiting for some special response from her, but she could give
    none. The prospect of meeting her grandfather was becoming- more and more
    formidable.
    She entered the lift in silence and stood waiting while her companion pressed the
    'down' button.
    'How do we get to Phoros?' she asked at last, more to break the s ilence than from any
    desire for information.
    'There is a car waiting to take us to Piraeus. From there we make a journey by sea,' he
    said laconical y.
    'Oh.' Helen digested this. 'I suppose there's a regular ferry service, even though it's only
    a smal island?'
    'It runs three times a day.'
    The faint wish to make him look ridiculous which had been buzzing in her mind now
    began to take shape-It would give her great satisfaction, she thought, to arrive on
    Phoros alone, having left Damon Leandros ignominiously behind in Athens. She wished
    she had thought of it earlier while she was stil in her room. Perhaps she could have
    lured him into the bathroom and locked him in somehow, although she had a feeling
    the only bolt had been on the inside of the door. Wel , she would just have to think of
    something else.
    As they emerged from the lift Helen saw her remaining luggage being carried out to the
    car ahead of them. If this was a sample of the service provided by al her grandfather's
    hotels, then it could hardly be faulted, she thought wryly.
    'Don't we have to—check out or something?' she asked a little desperately as they
    moved past the reception desk.
    'That's al been taken care of.'
    'But my key,' she persisted. 'You've stil got my key.'
    'I left it in the door of your room.'
    Oh, blast! Helen thought savagely. If she could have delayed him at reception even for
    a moment or two she might have been able to get out to the car and persuade the
    driver to leave without him.
    She could hardly believe her own fortune when she heard one of the receptionists cal
    after him, and saw him hesitate with obvious impatience before he turned back towards
    the desk.
    'You go ahead,' he directed briefly. 'I hope-only to be a few minutes.'
    'Take as long as you like.' Helen sent him a dazzling smile. Her heart beating rapidly,
    she walked towards the door. The car, an opulent vehicle of a make which she didn't
    immediately recognise, was drawn up at the kerb, and a man in a chauffeur's uniform
    was standing beside it. When he saw Helen coming towards him he threwopen the rear
    passenger door with some ceremony.
    She got in, trying to appear calm and in control of the situation.
    'Do you speak English?' she asked.
    'Only a little, thespinis.'
    'That's fine.' She made herself speak slowly and deliberately so that he would
    understand. 'I want to leave at once. We must go quickly to catch the ferry.'
    The man's face was a