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crossly. ‘No way would I marry a man who’s so callous. You used me! You deliberately set out to see whether I would succumb. I think the whole set-up stinks!’
    Theo eyed her frostily. ‘I would say that my brother is fortunate he is not married to a girl who gives her favours so freely. I can’t see you remaining faithful to any man for long.’
    ‘With swine like you around a girl doesn’t have much chance!’ Miranda snatched up the white dress she had worn earlier and struggled into it, keeping a wary eye on Theo, not altogether sure that he wouldn’t attack her again if she turned her back.
    ‘If a girl was happily married she wouldn’t look at another man. You’ve simply given me more proof that you’ve made up the whole story. I cannot see the point in you remaining. I shall have a word with my mother.’ He swung on his heel and left the room before Miranda could reply.
    Not that she was unduly worried. She had a feeling that Mrs Alexidis was on her side. She was more disturbed by the events of the last few minutes. Going back over it in her mind she could not imagine why she had behaved so promiscuously.
    She still felt vibrantly alive, her body pulsing with the aftermath of their lovemaking. Never before had she met a man who had the power to arouse her physically in such a short space of time. Despite her hatred she had responded eagerly, and now felt thoroughly ashamed.
    Looking at herself in the dressing-table mirror she was shocked to see her inflamed cheeks and wide shining eyes. Her Ups were dark and soft, slightly swollen, her hair tousled. There was no mistaking the fact that she had been thoroughly kissed—and enjoyed every minute of it.
    Impatiently she ran a comb through her hair. Please, Georgios, she prayed, come to your senses. Let us sort this whole disastrous affair out. She glanced at her watch. There was still another hour before dinner. Eleni had told her they did not eat early, usually about half past eight or even nine.
    She would look for Georgios. It was worth a try. It would be agony sitting at the dinner-table otherwise, making polite conversation, being treated as a stranger by the man who had shared her bed for the last three months, who was the father of the baby growing inside her.
    As soon as the thought occurred to her Miranda began her search. Not knowing where Georgios might be she strolled up and down corridors, looking into rooms where doors stood open, listening outside others, ready with the excuse that she was lost.
    But she could not find him. He was not even out on the verandah, where evidence of her meal had been cleared away, cushions plumped on the cane chairs, everything ready for the next time it was used.
    Miranda sat for a quiet moment going over the events of the day. So much had happened it was incredible. It seemed a lifetime since she had said goodbye to Sallianne and the children. Full of optimism, she had been. An optimism that had been rudely shattered by the two Alexidis brothers.
    They had to be in collusion with each other. Georgios would never have done this to her if he had not been put up to it. What she could not understand was why, knowing his father’s unwritten rule, he had allowed himself to fall in love with her. But what hurt more than anything was that his love was not strong enough to withstand the opposition he had encountered when he got home.
    Why had he let Theo dictate? The deed was done. He had married her, and in no circumstances was she going to let him get away. Not unless he told her himself that it was all over, that he had made a mistake and did not love her enough to spend the rest of his life with her.
    While he maintained this unbelievable attitude there was hope. Once he allowed her to get through to him she was positive they could sort things out.
    It was so beautiful here that if Georgios would rather this be their home she would willingly agree. If that was the solution to their problem it was a simple one. She had