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PROLOGUE
THE Greek billionaire Lysander Metaxis strode into the luxurious salon of his fabulous yacht, where his personal staff awaited hiely wealthy and dynamic employer usually started work at six and rarely sleptto look wide awake
His senior PA, Dmitri, presented him with a folder ‘I hope you’ll be pleased, sir’
His lean, dark, handsoal Court Dense woodland on all sides screened the Elizabethan manor house from curious eyes, but not from the air His only previous acquaintance with the ancient building was through his raph albums The superb definition of the aerial shots revealed the extensive deterioration that had taken place in recent decades
His rew steadily harder and colder, for it was clear that the listed building was in serious need of repair The roof was in a mess, the brickwork required attention and there was a suspicious bulge in a gable wall Yet, Gladys Stewart had repeatedly refused to sell the property to his late father, Aristide However, the old lady was dying now and he could only assume that her demise would finally make the purchase of the house possible
Madrigal Court had belonged to his mother’s family for over four hundred years before financial adversity had forced its sale Over tial Court had become a matter of Metaxis family honour And family honour was an issue that Lysander, as Greek to his backbone, held in very high regard His ruthlessness was legendary and he was a dangerous h he was one of the richest s or the cruel neglect he had endured before fortune had sinia and Aristide Metaxis as adoptive parents
The acknowledgehts, which cast disturbing shadows across Lysander’s usual e back Virginia’s ancestral ho mission, as opposed to an ambition to be attained at soet the house back and quickly All of a sudden time was of the essence, he conceded bleakly
A stunning brunette, clad in a transparent wrap that concealed nothing of her astonishing figure, strolled in Her caressing fingertips inscribed a provocative pattern on the back of his hand ‘Coly
Almost imperceptibly, Lysander stiffened ‘I’m busy,’ he draithout expression
His staff exchanged significant glances No woer than a feeeks His current lover ht not know it yet, but she was already history
‘Dmitri…’ Lysander lifted his well-shaped dark head ‘…who authorised polythene tunnels to be installed inside the walled garden?’
The PA stepped forward and frowned down at the photo in frank bewilderrounds, sir? I’m afraid I have no idea’
Lysander dealt Det the Metaxis legal team on the phone for a conference call For his UK lawyers, it beca
apology The rolling of heads was threatened, sacrifices were made They promised immediate action, but the Greek tycoon co for the present When he wanted action, he would choose the ti
CHAPTER ONE
‘THE Metaxis fa for me to die’ Feverish hatred burned in Gladys Stewart’s eaze ‘Vultures—that’s what they are!’
‘Well, whoever they are they’ll have to wait a little longer,’ the nurse informed the older woman cheerfully while she checked her blood pressure ‘You have great vitality’
‘You’ve got no business interrupting a private conversation!’ her patient hissed in a tone of pure vitriol, her thin hands clenching on the bedclothes ‘I was addressing hter Ophelia…where are you? Ophelia?’
A young wo up discarded bed linen Directing an apologetic glance at the district nurse, she moved forward Small in stature, she wore a loose sweater and trousers that only hinted at her hourglass figure Hair the colour of ripe wheat was tied up with a piece of gardening twine But nothing could hide her beauty
‘I’randmother
As she studied her Gladys Stewart’s narrow mouth compressed with furious resentment ‘If you o!’ she condemned bitterly ‘Your mother was a complete fool but at least she kne to make the most of her looks!’
Ophelia, as single by choice and inclination, thought wryly of her late parent’s love affair with the mirror and almost shuddered She liked comfy clothes and fresh air ‘Unfortunately it didn’t do her ood’
‘I always swore I’d make the Metaxis family pay and I have and—listen to me—I’m not finished yet!’ The claw-like hand that closed in a painful grip round Ophelia’s slender wrist forced the younger woht have Lysander Metaxis hi on this door!’
Ophelia was noticeably uni billionaire, notorious for carrying the equivalent of a hareiant pleasure-yacht, would ever seek her out ‘I really don’t think so’
‘All you need is this house,’ Gladys hissed heezing satisfaction in her granddaughter’s ear, ‘and I promise you—it’ll make your every hope and dream come true’
The fierce conviction of that final startling staterander wo look of hope ‘Are you talking about…Molly?’ she whispered unevenly
Well aware that Ophelia was now hanging on her every word, Gladys turned her head away, triumph etched in every line of her bony face ‘That’s for me to know and you to wonder But if you do your duty by ht, you won’t be disappointed’
‘Finding out whereI’ve ever dreamt of,’ Ophelia admitted steadily ‘It would mean the world to me’