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‘You and he never hit it off Don’t let that come between us,’ Maribel told her with co can you stay for? We have so much to catch up on’

A tray of tea and delicate little nibbles was brought in and served

‘I was really disappointed that I couldn’t co in Bakhar,’ Maribel confided ‘It wasn’t possible for en at the time She wasn’t well at all’

‘I understood that You were aly patient with her’

‘I was very fond of Ien’ Even so, ever since Leonidas had confided that Maribel reen, Maribel’s self-esteem had nosedived She was crushed by the conviction that she had only ever been a poor substitute for her cousin, and haunted by the suspicion that she had no right whatsoever to expect or ask for anything more than tolerance and acceptance from Leonidas Surely if she had been the morally decent woman she liked to believe she was, she would have withstood the teht that Elias was conceived?

‘I saw your son walking into the house with you,’ the princess remarked softly ‘He looks very like Leonidas’

‘I iine you were very shocked to find out who his father was’

Tilda looked troubled ‘How frank can I be?’

‘Totally frank’

‘I was very concerned’ Tilda pulled a face and her voice became hesitant ‘I’m probably about to offend you for ever when I tell you why I felt I had to co’

‘I doubt that very much I don’t take offence easily, especially not with the people I trust’

‘I was afraid that you ht feel you have no choice but to marry Leonidas to retain custody of your son He’s a formidable man and very powerful’ Tilda released her breath in an anxious sigh ‘But you do have a choice—I’o through the courts and fight him’

‘Does Rashad know about this?’

Tilda frowned ‘Rashad and Leonidas have a friendship quite independent of our e I’ll be honest—Rashad wouldn’t approve of my interference, particularly when there is a child involved, but I have ht and what’s wrong’

‘You’re a dear friend’ Maribel was very much touched by Tilda’s offer ofto ive you a whole host of reasons why Yes, I do feel under pressure I do feel I can’t compete But at the same time, Leonidas is wonderful with Elias and my son needs a father more than I wanted to admit’

‘There’schildren,’ Tilda said wryly

A rueful smile touched Maribel’s lips and for the first time in weeks she felt curiously at peace with the tur truth sat at the centre of it all ‘I’ve always loved Leonidas, Tilda—even when he was the uy around I can’t even explain why It’s been that way almost since the first time I saw him’

Leonidas returned to Heyward Park late the night before the wedding He flew in from Greece with a plane-load of relatives Mirabel chose a classic top and skirt in russet shades to ith the pearl necklace and earrings, and greeted the arrivals in the front hall Leonidas entered last, just in ti quite coreat-aunts, not one of whorasp of Greek was basic but ht supper was on offer, but there was also provision for the less lively ht in readiness for the celebrations the next day Her confidence in dealing with both staff and guests was impressive But he was quick to notice that her lush curves had slimmed down, and that when she saw hihtened

‘My apologies for bringing a large party back at this hour, glikiatherace and charm’

‘Thanks’ Her acknowledgement of compliments from a most unusual source was brisk Even a brief encounter with his brilliant dark eyes was sufficient to raise self-conscious colour in her cheeks She could greet his sixty-odd relatives with equaniirlish discomfiture that mortified her With his stylishly cut ebony hair and lean, sculpted bone structure he looked devastatingly handsome His black business suit was perfectly tailored to his lithe powerful frae masculinity and rampant sex appeal