Page 58 of Dimistrios's Bought Mistress

Or he would never have come into my life. Themaswould have been sold and I would have lost it for ever.

And if Gerald hadn’t sold it, themasmight have been seized as an asset. She gave a shiver. Not long after they’d got married Lycos told her that Naomi’s fourth husband, yet another wealthy businessman whom she had married shortly after the funeral of Arielle’s father, had been arrested on charges of fraud and corruption. Naomi, and Gerald, had flagrantly invested Charles Frobisher’s legacy into the latest husband’s business. As a result, not only had all their assets been frozen, but both Naomi and Gerald had been implicated in the malfeasance and would stand trial. Prison sentences for both loomed.

Arielle tried not to be glad, but Lycos was blunt.

‘Nemesis,’ he said roundly. ‘The Greek goddess of retribution. They had it coming.’

Arielle let it be. Thanks to Lycos themaswas safe. And, thanks to Lycos and the love they shared, she would be happy now and all her life. And so would he. And for yet one more reason—

She felt her heart lift as they went into the kitchen. The dresser still held pride of place, freshly repainted, but the ancient range had been replaced by one that would see out another generation at least. The new, low-energy fridge no longer grumbled to itself. The water gushing from the new, but old-styled brass taps over the new, but still stone sink, still camefrom the ancient well, but it was pumped up now using solar power.

Companionably, she and Lycos assembled their salad lunch with leaves freshly picked, tomatoes and peaches likewise and cheeses, as always, from Jeanne’s dairy. As they did every day when the weather was clement, they took lunch out to the shaded ironwork table on the terrace. Setting out the plates and dishes, Arielle poured out a glass of wine for Lycos, but none for herself, instead sticking to water.

Lycos, taking his place as she took hers, glanced at her.

Arielle looked at him limpidly. ‘I must be picky about cheese, too,’ she said. ‘Nothing unpasteurised.’

Lycos frowned. She met his gaze, her expression still limpid. Then, as the penny dropped, Lycos surged to his feet, coming around the table.

‘Oh, my God,’ he breathed. ‘Are you…? When did you…? I mean…’ he rambled incoherently.

Arielle took his hand. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘And I found out this morning. Tested positive.’

Greek words broke from him, as they still did in times of great emotion. And what time of greater emotion, Arielle thought fondly as Lycos hunkered down beside her, throwing his arms around her and wrapping her in a bear hug, could be more deserving than to discover the greatest blessing of all was to be bestowed upon them?

‘Next Easter, I reckon,’ Arielle said, dropping a kiss on his head.

He got to his feet, his hand crushing hers. His night-dark eyes bored into hers.

‘How is it possible to be even happier than we already are?’ he said, his heart in his voice.

She smiled, lovingly, affectionately, understandingly, for the very same question was in her own head.

‘I don’t know. But this I do know.’ She grazed his knuckle with her lips and lifted her gaze to his. ‘That we give thanks, Lycos. We give thanks.’

She heard her voice catch and Lycos heard it too. And with the same catch in his own voice, he bent to kiss her soft lips.

‘We give thanks,’ he echoed.

Arielle’s heart swelled. Yes, they would give thanks, both of them, next Easterallof them, for all that they had been blessed with.

So very, very much…