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‘How do you feel about accepting charity, ain, but the deep-timbred voice continued ‘Aristides Fournatos does not wish to acceptso in return’

‘How about offering you some Fournatos shares?’ said Vicky

Theo Theakis’s expression remained unreadable

‘Your uncle wishes to offer more’ There was a pause—a distinct one, Vicky felt Then Theo Theakis spoke again, as if choosing his next words with care ‘As you know, your uncle has no heir You are his closest relative This is why he wishes to cee to yourself’

‘You’re willing to et his company when he dies?’ Vicky demanded If there was scorn in her voice she didn’t bother to hide it

The dark eyes flashed, and the sculpted htened visibly

‘I’e with you to make it easier for Aristides to accept my offer to save his company from ruin’ The sardonic look was back in his eyes now ‘Believe me when I say that I would prefer your uncle to accept it unconditionally However—’he held up an abrupt hand ‘—your uncle’s pride and his self-respect have already taken a battering by allowing his coer in the first place I would not wish to look ungracious at what he is proposing For him, this is a perfect solution all round His pride is salved, his self-respect intact, his company is defended, its future is secured And as for yourself—’ the dark eyes glinted again, and Vicky could feel a very strange sensation starting up in her insides ‘—your future will also be settled in a fashion that your uncle, standing as he feels himself to do in the place of your late father, considers ideal—e to a man to whom he can safely entrust you’

Vicky got to her feet ‘ Theakis,’ she started heavily, ‘you seriouslyon another planet if you think for a moment that I—’

‘Sit down, if you please’

The instruction was tersely issued Abruptly, Vicky sat, and then was annoyed with herself that she had

‘Thespinis Fournatos—somewhere between your intemperate reaction, your uncle’s very understandable desires and ness to stand by helplessly while your uncle’s coreement acceptable to all Therefore what I propose is this’ His gaze levelled with hers, and he placed his hands flat on the are in the private butthat it will be of very lih this current crisis and satisfy public and social decencies I believe that when your uncle has his coain he will accept the dissolution of our brief -terard for your uncle which you say you have, then you will agree to this proposal’

Emotions roiled heavily in Vicky’s breast One was resent spoken to as if she were a rate The other was more complex—and at the same time a lot more simple

She didn’t want to marry Theo Theakis Not for any reason, period The very idea was absurd and ludicrous and insane It was also—

She veered her thoughts away Pulled her eyes away fro here, this close to hie office Theo Theakis disturbed her, and she didn’t like it She didn’t like it at all

She forced herself to look at hiaze on her, but she could see, deep at the back of his eyes, the glint in it There was antagonis else, too, and she liked that least of all