Free Crowned: The Palace Nanny by Marion Lennox Page B

hooked Zoe, Elsa thought frantically. Just because he had a smile to die for.
    Just because he was logical, thoughtful and he sounded as if he cared. Just because he was smiling at Zoe now with kindness and also the trace of a challenge, convincing her that this could be some sort of magical adventure.
    He was glancing at her with a quizzical look that was kind as well as knowing.
    How could he be kind? What did she know of the man?
    What did she know about the island?
    â€˜What…what medical facilities are on the island?’ she managed, trying valiantly to sound grown-up, sensible and in control. Or at least as grown-up, sensible and in control as Zoe.
    â€˜Zoe will have me to care for her,’ he told her, matching her tone. ‘And there’s specialist backup in Athens.’
    â€˜There are no paediatricians on Khryseis?’
    He hesitated. ‘Education has hardly been King Giorgos’s concern,’ he admitted at last. ‘In fact he’s actively discouraged it. Even I haven’t been able to work there. Giorgos wouldn’t permit me to practice medicine on Khryseis, so I’ve built my career elsewhere.’
    â€˜There are no medical facilities at all?’ she asked incredulously.
    â€˜There’s one elderly doctor and a midwife. Up until now the fishermen have taken really ill islanders to Athens.’
    â€˜You’re kidding me.’
    â€˜Sadly, no.’
    â€˜And…and now?’
    â€˜And now we go back to the island and think about the future from there.’
    â€˜You’ll get more medical staff?’
    â€˜That’s one of my first priorities. The island’s not big enough to support a huge range of specialties but there will be good basic medicine with fast transfers to Athens at need.’
    He hesitated. ‘Elsa, you will be looked after,’ he said, gently but strongly. ‘You both will. So no, Elsa, you will not be asked to scrub stairs or polish silver. You’ll be on the island as Zoe’s friend and as her nanny, for as long as you wish to stay. I’ll ask nothing more of you. This isn’t a trap, Elsa. I promise you. No strings.’ His face broke into another of his magical smiles. ‘Our island’s lovely, Elsa. Zoe. We can work things out. The three of us. Please?’
    His smile caught her and held. Demanding a response. How could she resist an appeal like this?
    And, despite her fears, a tiny trickle of excitement crept in.
    She had no idea where this man was coming from—or where he was going—but his smile was mesmerising. And as well as that…
    She and Zoe had eaten sandwiches for lunch almost every day for four years. She’d had to chop wood to cook and to heat their water. Wood-chopping jarred her hip so much that sometimes it was hard not to just give in. But there was never the choice of giving in.
    But now…Stefanos was offering them a home in a palace on an island in the Mediterranean. He was offering her a well-paid job. She’d have no more money worries. No wood-chopping. Did he realise how enticing it sounded? This man might appear seriously sexy but right now it was the lack of wood-chopping that was more seductive.
    â€˜I do need to keep my research skills up,’ she muttered, fighting to sound practical and reserved and wary.
    â€˜Of course. I see you doing the same things you’re doing now. With Zoe.’
    â€˜Home-schooling?’
    â€˜We can get a tutor. Zoe, you’ll need to learn Greek.’
    â€˜I already know Greek,’ Zoe said proudly.
    â€˜You already know…’
    â€˜Christos spoke Greek to her as a baby,’ Elsa told him, feeling a bit smug herself as she noted his astonishment. ‘We figured it was part of who she was, so we’ve kept it up.’
    â€˜Elsa speaks it now too,’ Zoe added, ‘and we both read it. There are two old Greek ladies in Waratah Cove. We visit them once a week and talk with