he asked, his tone shifting, less harsh, almost mild.
The change in tone surprised her, but still she couldn’t speak.
Kassiani bit her lip, unable to answer.
“Truthfully,” he prompted.
Her shoulders twisted. She hated this helpless, pathetic feeling. She hated feeling like a failure. She hadn’t married him to be a failure. “I didn’t think about the reception and the guests. To be honest, this part didn’t even cross my mind. It was just the ceremony...and then...” She drew a quick breath and lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. “...the rest.”
“And what was the rest?”
“Being a proper wife.” She could see from the cynical glint in his eyes that he didn’t believe her. “I understand what wives do. Your comfort is my responsibility—”
“Your father told you this?”
“I’m a Greek woman. I know what Greek men expect.”
There was something in his dark, speculative gaze that made her skin prickle and her pulse lurch, and she didn’t know how to manage so many new and strange feelings at the same time.
“Go on, then.”
She swallowed hard, trying not to betray just how nervous she felt. “Besides taking care of you, I’m to manage your home...or homes. I’m to provide you with children. And I understand and accept those responsibilities.”
“It seems one of the Dukas daughters is dutiful, then.”
“Elexis and I have different strengths.”
“She likes parties.”
“She would have enjoyed the reception, yes.”
“And the photographers.”
“The camera loves her.”
“What did your father do to convince you to take your sister’s place?”
Her brow creased. “Excuse me?”
“Did he threaten you? Or was there a bribe involved? How did he get you to walk down the aisle and go through this whole...charade?”
“It’s not a charade. I married you.” She paused, gathering herself. “Of my own volition.”
“So you volunteered?”
“No. I didn’t volunteer. This isn’t exactly a volunteer position.”
He made a rough sound in the back of his throat and Kassiani calmly added, “But when my father presented me the...situation... I agreed that it was a problem and my family was indebted to you. It wouldn’t be right for the Dukases to humiliate you. So I agreed to take Elexis’s place so that the merger of businesses and families could still take place.”
“Wasn’t there a saint named Kassiani?”
“She was a hymnographer, not a virgin bride.”
He gave her another long look. “I’m to be grateful the Dukas virgin has been forced onto me?”
She winced but refused to dwell on his sarcasm. “You’re not being forced into anything. You can annul this afternoon’s ceremony. Tomorrow. The next day. The day after.” Her chin lifted. “As long as we don’t consummate the marriage, you’re free to annul this marriage at any time.”
“Is that what you’re hoping I’ll do?”
“No. I said vows today and I intend to keep them. It is my expectation that we’ll consummate the marriage tonight.”
“And if I don’t feel like falling into bed with...you?”
A lump filled her throat. She was aware of how disappointing she was as a woman. She could never compare, or compete, with Elexis. But she was still a woman and she had feelings. And hopes. And dreams. “I will do my best to make you want me.”
The glance he shot her seemed laced with scorn and then he walked away from her, crossing the room to stand at the window, which faced the sea and the ancient Temple of Poseidon, which glowed golden in the setting sun. Tonight promised to be yet another spectacular sunset. Sunsets on Cape Sounio were the stuff of legends.
“Perhaps we should just dispense with this farce now,” Damen said, his back still to her, his gaze fixed on the sea.
“Perhaps,” she agreed serenely, grateful he couldn’t see her hard jaw and how hurt and frustration welled. “I won’t call you a coward if you do.”
He turned suddenly, facing her. Temper blazed in his eyes. “I have done my part,” he gritted. “I invested in Dukas Shipping. I sorted out your father’s legal entanglements. I put aside my mistresses and waited patiently, celibately for your sister—”
“That was obviously a mistake.”
“You’re not helping your case, kitten.”
“I don’t think anything can. Because surely you don’t want my sympathy, do you?” He didn’t answer and her firm chin rose higher. “Maybe you should’ve spent more time with your future bride to make sure she was the right bride.”
“Your father assured me Elexis was the right bride.”
“And there is the root of all our problems. You trusted my father.” Her full lips curved, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “The world thinks you’re smarter than that.”
He stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “That does not sound very complimentary for a daughter to say of the father.”
“Or for a bride to say of her new husband—”
“I wasn’t going to say it.”
She shrugged, and plucked at yet another pearl on her gown. “I’m a realist, I always have been.” Kassiani drew a breath before continuing, her words cool and measured. “And I know who my family are. I know their strengths. I know their weaknesses.” Her eyebrows flattened, her expression turning pensive. “Personally, I would not have gone into business with them. And I certainly wouldn’t have climbed into bed with them. But you wanted the West Coast of North America. You wanted the ships and the ports and the agreements, and now you have them.”
He walked back toward her, closing the distance with quiet, measured strides. Kassiani tried not to shrink as he stood directly before her, so tall that she had to tip her head back to see his face.
“You do not think highly of me,” he said quietly.
Her heart did a painful double beat even as something like desire curled in her belly. The butterflies were back, but they weren’t from fear. “I think you have underestimated the Dukas family.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
She hesitated for a long moment before looking up into his eyes. “I wouldn’t marry a man I didn’t hold in high esteem.”
