Page 7 of An Affaire in Athens (The Grand Tours of the Aristocracy #2)

CHAPTER 6

A REUNION BOTH WELCOME AND NOT

M eanwhile, at the Parthenon

As Marcus, Antonio, and Jane made their way to where she had left the picnic basket at the opposite end of the Parthenon, David, Tom, and Michael were traversing the field of rubble separating the Erechtheion from the Parthenon.

Marcus did his best to hide his displeasure at their impending arrival. Ever since Antonio had mentioned Jane was betrothed to Lord Penton, he had experienced a combination of disappointment and jealousy. Even the arrival of his good friend, Lord Randolph Forster, hadn’t helped him overcome his melancholy.

When he paid witness to the manner of David’s greeting, it was all he could do not to challenge the younger man to a duel.

“I wondered if I was imagining you, my sweet,” David said as he approached, his gaze entirely on Jane.

She had blushed prettily and dipped a curtsy even as he took her hand to his lips.

Then he kissed her on the cheek.

Right in front of everyone and God.

The cur.

Worse, the young man was more handsome than he had been at school. He was another year older, yes, but the soft planes of his formerly youthful face had hardened somewhat. His resemblance to his father was unmistakeable, which also meant he would grow even more good looking as he aged.

Damn him.

“Lord Penton, this is such a surprise,” Jane said, her smile glorious.

Marcus had to bite back an audible growl. Although she had met him with a pleasant expression and high color only three-quarters of an hour earlier, she hadn’t beamed in delight as she was now doing for the benefit of Penton.

The cousins exchanged greetings and handshakes with Antonio and Jane before they continued their way to the basket.

“Oh, I do hope we have enough food for everyone,” Jane said, lowering herself to remove the cloth cover from the basket. She shook out the blanket and spread it out over a shaded area of the temple floor. Antonio, Michael, and Marcus moved to sit at various corners as she placed hunks of cheese, bread, olives, and fruits in the center.

“Don’t worry about Tom and me, my sweet,” David said, assisting her at the basket. “Now that Cousin Michael has given us a thorough tour of the Erechtheion, we are going back to town for a bite to eat. I expect Randy will be joining us shortly.”

“If you’re sure, my lord,” she said.

David seemed to hesitate for a moment before he said, “I am.”

“More for me,” Michael said, earning him a glare from his older brother.

“How long will you be in town?” David asked, his voice barely audible.

“A fortnight,” she replied. “We’re staying at the Hotel Aiolos.”

“Is that all?” he asked, obviously disappointed.

“We’re going to Spain next.”

“To see your aunt?”

She grinned. “Yes. You remembered.”

David dipped his head. “Of course I remember.” He cleared his throat and spoke louder. “Will you and Antonio and...” He waved at the others. “Join me for dinner tomorrow evening? There’s a taverna I’m told serves excellent local fare. We can make a party of it.”

Marcus watched as she looked to her brother for guidance, and he winced when Antonio agreed and said, “I thought we might go to the caves—the Prison of Socrates, I think they’re supposed to be—on the morrow. I hear it’s a bit of a climb, but it shouldn’t be too strenuous.”

“I could see the caves from over there,” David said, waving in the direction of where he had spotted the landmark with his pair of binoculars. “The path appears well worn.”

“Perhaps you’d like to come with us?” Antonio asked, directing his query to the group in general.

“I’m certainly up for a hike,” Tom said.

“I’ll join you,” Marcus chimed in.

“Sounds perfect,” Michael said.

“Except you’re due to begin your dig on the morrow, are you not?” Marcus reminded his brother, aiming a thumb over his shoulder to indicate the corner of the Acropolis where the archaeologists were still milling about.

“I hate it when you’re right,” Michael groused. “So, the rest of you have a pleasant day.” He helped himself to a couple of figs and stood. “Come, you two. Let’s let these three have their luncheon.”

David and Tom joined Michael, but not before they bade their farewells and took turns bowing to Jane.

“I look forward to seeing you again before you take your leave of Greece,” David said to Jane.

“And you, my lord,” she said, giving him a deep curtsy.

The three younger men headed for the Propylaea as Antonio and Marcus returned their attentions to their luncheon and the wine Jane was pouring into small glass tumblers.

“Penton certainly took liberties with his greeting,” Marcus remarked, directing his comment to Antonio.

Jerking his head up in surprise, Antonio glanced over at his sister before he said, “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Did he?” Jane asked. Her eyes widened. “But if you are referring to the kiss he gave me on my cheek?—”

“I am,” Marcus affirmed.

She angled her head to one side. “He is not one who shies away from showing his affection, it’s true,” she said, “but I find it rather flattering. He is my betrothed, after all,” she added, before turning her attention to distributing food to the two young men.

“She will be greeted the very same way by our uncle and every other man we meet when we reach Spain,” Antonio remarked, lifting a shoulder in a dismissive shrug.

“With a kiss?”

“On the cheek. Had it been anywhere else, Penton would have suffered a fist to his face,” Antonio claimed.

“Tony,” Jane said softly. She faced Marcus. “I do hope you’ll join us for dinner at the taverna tomorrow evening.”

Marcus straightened. “Of course, I will, Miss Jane.” His heart raced when he saw how she beamed at him.

“You must tell me all about your archaeological finds,” she added, pouring more wine into his tumbler.

Daring a glance in her brother’s direction, Marcus realized this was his chance to impress the young woman.

They spent the next hour discussing his work on Sicily with his father before he escorted them to view the rest of the Acropolis.

The entire time, he made sure he directed his explanations to Jane. He knew if he had any hope at all of gaining her favor—of replacing David, Viscount Penton, as her betrothed—he had to show his affection any way he could.