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I’m sure you have something far more exciting to do.’
    ‘Actually, no,’ returned the charming Eleni. ‘I was resting. It’s siesta time, as you probably know. But I’m fed up with lying down. It will be a great pleasure to give you a guided tour of our small villa. We’re very proud of it, but because we like to preserve our privacy we do not have many visitors.’
    There did not seem anything else Miranda could say. It would be ill-mannered to declare she had changed her mind, confirming Theo’s suspicion that her only reason for asking was to get Georgios alone.
    ‘In that case,’ she said, hoping her smile did not look too artificial, ‘I’ll come with you gladly. I’ll see you later, Georgios.’
    She was aware of Theo watching them as they left the room, and although it was to Georgios she spoke, it was on this older man her eyes rested longest.
    ‘Oh, Eleni,’ Theo’s harsh voice arrested their progress, ‘don’t go in to Mother. There’s no need for her to know about Miss Martyn.’
    ‘I’m sure she’d like to meet her,’ smiled his sister. ‘You know how much she likes seeing new faces.’
    Theo looked at her coldly. ‘That’s as may be, but in this instance I think it would be best if she didn’t know about our visitor. We can’t afford to let her get excited.’
    ‘As you wish,’ shrugged Eleni, not looking suitably convinced, but conceding to her brother’s authority. She clearly thought that meeting Miranda was nothing to get excited about.
    But Miranda herself knew that he was afraid she might mention her reason for being here. How much, she wondered, did his mother know of the true situation? Or had Georgios said nothing to her because of the illness which had brought him running to her side?
    However, these thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind once she began to explore the Alexidises’ villa. It housed an impressive collection of valuable paintings and art treasures, and each room was elegantly and expensively furnished.
    Eleni chattered incessantly, and Miranda discovered that there were two more sisters, both married and living in Athens. Theo had taken over the business since their father’s sudden death three years ago, after which Mrs Alexidis had suffered a heart attack and had not been well since. This last turn had left them all worried.
    Miranda learned more about the family in the few minutes she was with Eleni than in all the months she had known Georgios. ‘Why don’t Theo and Georgios, get on?’ she asked, hoping this girl would not think her question out of order. ‘I couldn’t help noticing.’
    Eleni laughed. ‘Theo can’t stand weakness. Nor could my father. Georgios was a disappointment, and I think Theo has inherited my father’s intolerance of men who do not automatically assume the qualities of leadership.
    ‘Georgios failed to come up to my father’s expectations. His interest in shipping is nil, despite all the training he has been given. Theo never intended to take over. He wanted to start up on his own, entirely independent of the Alexidis Line, but when it became clear that Georgios was incapable of running it, he had no choice.’
    ‘So what does Georgios do?’ asked Miranda.
    Eleni shrugged characteristically. ‘Nothing, except spend the very generous allowance my father made him. He’s been away a lot lately, since his ’
    Miranda’s breath caught in her throat. ‘Did he go to England?’ she interrupted eagerly.
    Eleni shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. At least, he never said. He spends a lot of time in Athens with my sisters. Ah, this is my mother’s room.’ They stopped outside a closed door. ‘It’s a pity Theo has forbidden me to take you in to her. She would like you, I’m sure. You might cheer her up.’
    ‘Do you always do what Theo says?’ asked Miranda.
    Eleni nodded, her expression wry. ‘He’s the head of the family. His wishes are respected.’
    ‘Even Georgios obeys?’
    ‘Even Georgios,’