The Power of the Legendary Greek by Catherine George Read Free Book Online Page A

with a walking stick. ‘Borrow this. When you no longer need the crutch you might find it useful.’
    Isobel’s eyes lit up, winning an arrested look from him. ‘I will, indeed. Thank you.’ She hooked the stick over the arm of her chair. ‘Wonderful. Now I’m completely self-sufficient. What did you think of the cottage?’
    He smiled. ‘I had already inspected the houses at various stages with Nikos Nicolaides while they were being built.’
    Her eyes flashed. ‘Then you knew perfectly well mine would be suitable.’
    ‘More or less,’ he admitted, and filled her water glass.
    ‘So will you drive me there this afternoon, please?’
    Instead of answering, he greeted Eleni with a smile as she delivered a large dish giving off delicious scents. ‘Ah, garides saganaki , or, for our English guest, prawns with feta in tomato sauce—and probably a few subtleties known only to the cook,’ he announced. ‘ Efcharisto , Eleni.’
    ‘Eat while hot,’ she instructed as she left.
    ‘This smells heavenly,’ said Isobel with anticipation.
    Luke got up to take the bowl she filled for him. ‘You like Greek food?’
    ‘It’s only my second experience of it. But,’ she said, after tasting the prawns, ‘this is just wonderful. I adore seafood.’
    ‘Which is fortunate,’ said Luke. ‘I did not ask if you were allergic to shellfish.’
    ‘I’m not. Nor to anything else, so far. I have a pretty iron digestive system normally.’ She flushed. ‘Which is why I was so mortified yesterday on the way down to the clinic. It was a new experience for me.’
    ‘For me, also,’ Luke said with feeling, and looked her in the eye. ‘You are quite well now in that way?’
    ‘Absolutely. Otherwise I wouldn’t be tucking into this delicious prawn dish. Eleni’s a great cook. Has she been with you long?’
    ‘All my life. She helped my mother with me when I was a baby. Also her husband Spiro, the son of my mother’s old nurse, Sofia. As I told you,’ added Luke, ‘everyone on Chyros knows my history.’
    ‘That must be rather wonderful—like an extended family.’
    He inclined his head. ‘Which is why I spend as much time here as possible, when my work allows. In Athens and Thessaloniki many people know who I am, but few know the real Lukas Andreadis.’
    ‘Do you prefer it that way?’
    ‘In some ways, yes. But, like you, I have good friends—in my case, men whose interests are similar to mine.’
    ‘You said your interest in women is well known, too,’ she reminded him.
    Luke looked her in the eye. ‘But they are—or were—just pillow friends, Isobel. I always make my views on marriage—or even commitment—very clear.’
    Her hackles rose. Why did he think it necessary to tell her that? She had no designs on him. Or on any other man for the foreseeable future. ‘I thought a man like you would want a son to inherit this empire of yours. Not that it’s any business of mine,’ she added hastily.
    ‘Do you want a husband and family, Isobel?’ asked Luke, surprising her.
    ‘Not right now, no.’
    ‘You have never met a man you wish to marry?’
    ‘No,’ she said shortly, and smiled as Eleni appeared with a bowl of fruit. ‘That was absolutely delicious,’ she told her, indicating her empty dish.
    The woman looked pleased as she cleared away.
    ‘I saw Dr Riga when I was down in the town,’ said Luke casually, once they were alone. ‘He thinks it best you remain here at the villa for a few days, rather than manage alone at the cottage.’
    Isobel stared at him in astonishment. ‘But why? There’s nothing wrong with me now, except for the foot. And with my crutch and this wonderful stick I’ll be fine on my own.’
    ‘Nevertheless, he advises you stay here until completely recovered.’ He shrugged. ‘After a fall on the head there can be complications.’
    She frowned. ‘What kind?’
    ‘A clot of blood on the brain, for one. There was a case only recently of a young boy complaining of head