Read Online Securing the Greek's Legacy by Julia James - Free Book Online
Authors: Julia James
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be.
A flush went through her. How on earth was she to live in such close quarters with a man who was a complete stranger to her? And, worse than that, a man who was, when it came to physical attributes, a million miles away from her nondescript appearance.
What on earth does that matter? she robustly admonished herself as she inspected the bedrooms. As she kept reminding herself, hoping to be reassured, theirs was to be a marriage in name only, solely for the purpose of adopting Georgy, placating the authorities.
Anatole was speaking again, and she made herself listen.
‘There is a gym and a swimming pool for residents in the basement. The park is accessible directly from the apartment block, which will be convenient for taking Georgy out. The apartment is fully serviced, so all meals can be delivered as in a hotel. Plus, of course, groceries and anything else you want can be delivered too. Obviously there’s a maid service, so you won’t have any housework to do.’ He took a breath and then went on. ‘Order whatever you want for Georgy by way of equipment, toys and clothes. Everything can be taken out to Greece when we go. A credit card will be delivered to you shortly, and I am arranging for a new bank account for you, into which I will pay sufficient funds for you to draw on.’
He paused, and looked at her. She seemed to be taking it in, but it was hard to tell. She had scarcely opened her mouth. Well, she was still in a state of shock, he conceded. Her life had been turned upside down, and she was trying to come to terms with it. Just as he was....
For a treacherous moment he heard his inner voice remonstrating with him, telling him that it was insane to do what he was doing, but he silenced it. There was no backing out now. Not for him—or her. They just had to get on with it.
He made his voice soften. ‘It’s strange for you, I know,’ he said, taking a step towards her. ‘But you will get used to things soon enough. I am sorry I have to leave you straight away, but it is necessary. I have to see my grandfather and talk to his doctors about what treatment he might be able to have. I have to tell him our plans and urge him to make Georgy his heir, put me in charge of the Petranakos Corporation as soon as possible. Then I have to attend to some urgent business affairs of my own, which have been neglected since I flew to England. In the meantime,’ he finished, ‘my lawyers are liaising with your social services on an application for Georgy’s passport and permission to take him out of the country, as well as everything to do with our forthcoming marriage and how it can accelerate the adoption process. I’ll only be in Athens a couple of days. Then I will come right back here.’
He smiled at her in a way he hoped was reassuring. ‘I’m sure that you will be feeling more settled by then. You have my personal mobile number, so of course do phone whenever you want if there is anything that worries you.’
A little burst of hysteria bubbled through Lyn. You mean like anything other than the fact I’m actually going to go ahead and marry you?
But there was no point saying that. No point doing anything other than nod and clutch Georgy more tightly to her.
‘Good,’ said Anatole briskly, and lifted his hand to take Georgy’s outstretched fingers. This tiny bundle of humanity was what was bringing him and this alien female together. His expression softened. He murmured some infantile nonsense to the baby in Greek, then shifted his gaze to the woman holding him.
‘It will be all right,’ he said. ‘Trust me—please.’
He flickered a brief smile at her, and a warmer one at Georgy, who was trying to get at his tie again. ‘Uh-uh,’ he said reprovingly, and chucked him under the chin. ‘Be good, young man, and look after your aunt for me,’ he instructed.
Georgy gazed at him wide-eyed. Lyn gave an awkward smile.
‘See you at the weekend,’ said Anatole, and headed for the door.
Behind
A flush went through her. How on earth was she to live in such close quarters with a man who was a complete stranger to her? And, worse than that, a man who was, when it came to physical attributes, a million miles away from her nondescript appearance.
What on earth does that matter? she robustly admonished herself as she inspected the bedrooms. As she kept reminding herself, hoping to be reassured, theirs was to be a marriage in name only, solely for the purpose of adopting Georgy, placating the authorities.
Anatole was speaking again, and she made herself listen.
‘There is a gym and a swimming pool for residents in the basement. The park is accessible directly from the apartment block, which will be convenient for taking Georgy out. The apartment is fully serviced, so all meals can be delivered as in a hotel. Plus, of course, groceries and anything else you want can be delivered too. Obviously there’s a maid service, so you won’t have any housework to do.’ He took a breath and then went on. ‘Order whatever you want for Georgy by way of equipment, toys and clothes. Everything can be taken out to Greece when we go. A credit card will be delivered to you shortly, and I am arranging for a new bank account for you, into which I will pay sufficient funds for you to draw on.’
He paused, and looked at her. She seemed to be taking it in, but it was hard to tell. She had scarcely opened her mouth. Well, she was still in a state of shock, he conceded. Her life had been turned upside down, and she was trying to come to terms with it. Just as he was....
For a treacherous moment he heard his inner voice remonstrating with him, telling him that it was insane to do what he was doing, but he silenced it. There was no backing out now. Not for him—or her. They just had to get on with it.
He made his voice soften. ‘It’s strange for you, I know,’ he said, taking a step towards her. ‘But you will get used to things soon enough. I am sorry I have to leave you straight away, but it is necessary. I have to see my grandfather and talk to his doctors about what treatment he might be able to have. I have to tell him our plans and urge him to make Georgy his heir, put me in charge of the Petranakos Corporation as soon as possible. Then I have to attend to some urgent business affairs of my own, which have been neglected since I flew to England. In the meantime,’ he finished, ‘my lawyers are liaising with your social services on an application for Georgy’s passport and permission to take him out of the country, as well as everything to do with our forthcoming marriage and how it can accelerate the adoption process. I’ll only be in Athens a couple of days. Then I will come right back here.’
He smiled at her in a way he hoped was reassuring. ‘I’m sure that you will be feeling more settled by then. You have my personal mobile number, so of course do phone whenever you want if there is anything that worries you.’
A little burst of hysteria bubbled through Lyn. You mean like anything other than the fact I’m actually going to go ahead and marry you?
But there was no point saying that. No point doing anything other than nod and clutch Georgy more tightly to her.
‘Good,’ said Anatole briskly, and lifted his hand to take Georgy’s outstretched fingers. This tiny bundle of humanity was what was bringing him and this alien female together. His expression softened. He murmured some infantile nonsense to the baby in Greek, then shifted his gaze to the woman holding him.
‘It will be all right,’ he said. ‘Trust me—please.’
He flickered a brief smile at her, and a warmer one at Georgy, who was trying to get at his tie again. ‘Uh-uh,’ he said reprovingly, and chucked him under the chin. ‘Be good, young man, and look after your aunt for me,’ he instructed.
Georgy gazed at him wide-eyed. Lyn gave an awkward smile.
‘See you at the weekend,’ said Anatole, and headed for the door.
Behind
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