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‘Thank you,’ he said, ‘for coping with my mother’

His expression was speaking volumes, and Rosalie was appreciative

‘She’s bound to be concerned by the nature of our enerously ‘She’s protective of you It’s understandable’

He cast her a glance ‘Thank you for that,’ he said ‘You see,’ he went on, and Rosalie could hear the constraint in his voice, ‘she is very fond of Ariadne, and she’s worried by her continued silence I’ve told her your half-sister will surface when she is good and ready to do so’

‘I hope she does’ Rosalie’s voice ar to meet her! It would be lovely to do so before I leave Greece!’

She turned away, looking out over the countryside, at the fields and the ubiquitous olive groves baking in the afternoon sun It was high su The inevitable date of her departure was that much closer

‘How is theback at Xandros

That, after all, was setting the ti clock, counting down the hoursthe daysthe weeks and monthsuntil there was no further need for them to be married

No reason for theether

He changed gear, revving the engine and picking up speed His expression tightened

‘Not as fast as I’d hoped Your father isn’t exactly rushing to co for essential information and so on’

She saw hih she knew she shouldn’t be, that there was an upside to any delay An upside for her, at least

It put back, just a little, the ticking clock of their e

Xandros was still speaking, and she shook the forbidden thought from her head

‘Doubtless it’s all just one of his power plays—he likes to stay in control of thingsand people’ A sylance caain, speeding up even htened ‘Anyway, let’s not waste what’s left of the weekend dwelling on it! We’ll take the scenic route back to the city—I can show you sohts’