artisans are highly qualified. Does it mean you are pleased?”
“How could I not be?” she told him.
Takis kissed her, uncaring that they had an audience. Color suffused her cheeks.
“Wear it in joy, despinis.”
Takis pocketed the box. “Before we leave, I’ll buy the fresco on the wall over there.” He pulled out some bills and left them on the counter.
“Put your money away. I have more of those in the back room. This will be my early wedding present for you. You two are so much in love, I think you must get married soon. One of my clerks will wrap it.”
After Basil walked away, Lys looked up at Takis. “Will your family believe you didn’t spend a lot of money on this?”
“They’ll know I didn’t when I tell Kori it came from Basil’s. She shops here every so often because it isn’t expensive. If anything, she’ll tell me a snake ring isn’t at all romantic. She’ll pity you for getting engaged to a man whose mind is steeped in Cretan history.”
“Then she’ll be surprised when I tell her my Cretan father immersed me in the culture too.”
As Takis marveled over his feelings for her, Basil hurried over to them with the wrapped fresco. “Here you are.”
Takis thanked him and they all shook hands. Then he walked her out to the parking lot and put it in the backseat.
“I think we need to celebrate our engagement. Where would you like to go before we drive back to the house?”
“I need to phone Danae before we do anything else. Do you mind?”
“Why would I? We’re not in any hurry.”
He listened while she made the call. After a short conversation, she hung up. “She’d like us to fly to the villa for dinner. How do you feel about that?”
“It’s perfect. We can go over the final draft of our announcement with her.”
“She’ll alert the pilot that we’re on our way.”
“Good.” Full of adrenaline, he drove them to the hotel.
“You can park in my spot. I’ll show you.”
Leon had seen them together enough to wave him on through. Takis helped her out of the car and locked it. After putting his arm around her shoulders, they walked to the bank of elevators. The feel of her body brushing against his side lit him on fire.
When they passed Giorgos in the main hallway, the other man said, “Lys—you’ve a dozen messages on your desk.”
“Any emergencies?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll get to them later. Thanks.”
Before long they climbed in the helicopter and headed for the island. Lys kept examining the ring. All of a sudden she flashed him a glance. “You were right when you said this would have unique significance.”
His brows lifted. “You think Danae will approve?”
“She’ll probably tell you she can see why Nassos found you such an amazing young man.”
Within a half hour they’d arrived at the fabulous villa, a place that reflected the personality of the famous hotelier. Danae had a feast prepared with some of Lys’s favorite fish dishes. As they walked through to the dining room the housekeeper was pouring them snifters of Metaxa, a smooth Greek brandy Takis loved.
Danae stood at the head of the table. “Before we eat, I’d like to make a toast to the two of you. May this engagement smooth the path with your family and take away some of the sadness in Lys’s heart.”
Amen.
“Wait! I have a surprise.” She went over to the sideboard and brought Lys a gift wrapped in plain paper.
“What’s this?”
“I found it in the bottom drawer of Nassos’s dresser while I was cleaning out the penthouse. When I opened it, I remembered. After Kristos’s funeral, Nassos brought this back to give you one day for a special occasion. It was a small painting of Kasos Island that he once gave your mom.” Danae smiled at Lys. “I think this is the perfect occasion now that you’re wearing Takis’s ring.”
Takis could tell Lys’s hands were trembling as she undid the paper. “Oh, Danae.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “This is so wonderful. I’ll always cherish it.”
Danae had just given Takis another reason to like the woman Nassos had married.
Lys quickly wrapped it up and put it on the empty chair next to her. “Thank you, Danae.”
“Consider that it came from Nassos, who was born here too.”
“I’m so touched he kept it all this time.”
“He loved you.” Her gaze flicked to Takis, after glancing at Lys’s hand. “In my opinion you couldn’t have chosen a more perfect ring for Lys, who was fascinated with Minoan culture from the time she first came to live with us.”
“I could tell that,” Takis said after taking another drink of brandy. “She was so taken with one of the frescoes at Basil’s, I bought it for her.”
Danae’s glance fell on Lys. “I bet it was the prince in the chariot.”
“Danae—”
The older woman kept right on talking. “Lys wasn’t so different from little girls everywhere, but she was never one to buy posters of the latest rock stars to hang on her bedroom wall. A Cretan warrior was her idea of perfection.”
* * *
Two hours later they flew back to the hotel. To her relief, Danae hadn’t expounded anymore on the fresco. She could have told Takis that Lys had taken one look at the prince years ago when they’d seen the real fresco in the museum, and had fallen in love on sight. The fact that he bore a strong resemblance to Takis was something she knew Danae would tease her about quite mercilessly the next time they were alone.
Only now did Lys remember Takis saying he’d tell his parents it was love at first sight after meeting her. But there was one difference.
Lys had fallen in love with him. For real.
She knew it to the very core of her being. From here on out she had to be careful he didn’t find out how she really felt about him.
This engagement was on slippery ground because he was acting like a man in love who wanted to marry her. During dinner he’d shown excitement over the June 4 wedding date Danae had suggested. Lys would be the greatest fool alive if she started to believe that she might be able to have what she desired most in the secret recess of her heart.
At ten thirty they got out of the helicopter and headed for the elevator. Takis held the door so it wouldn’t
