Read Online The Theotokis Inheritance by Susanne James - Free Book Online Page B

minutes until the kettle came to boiling point, then she picked it up and was just starting to pour when Oscar returned, a sudden gust making the back door slam behind him loudly, and Helena automatically jumped, turning quickly, before letting out a shriek of pain as a stream of boiling water coursed over her hand and arm, almost making her drop the kettle on the floor. ‘Ow… Oh… Ow!’ she cried desperately.
‘Ow!’
    Immediately seeing what had happened, Oscar cursed out loud.
    ‘Heleena!’
he exclaimed, reaching her in three long strides, and taking the kettle from her. Then, turning the cold tap on full, he grasped her hand and held it under the gushing water while Helena winced in agony.
    For several minutes they both just stood there, Oscar not letting go of Helena’s hand from under the running water, looking down at her, his eyes intense with concern as Helena tried hard to take control of herself.
    ‘That was the most idiotic thing I’ve done in a long time,’ she wailed, almost crying with the unbelievablepain. She automatically leaned into Oscar, who had put his arm tightly around her waist to support her, and presently the anguish began to lessen and he gently let her go, passing her some tissues from the box on the counter top. He bent his head to examine her reddening flesh, muttering incomprehensible oaths under his breath.
    ‘Oh…
agapi mou
,’ he said softly, and Helena closed her eyes at the memory of that expression of endearment she hadn’t heard for so long, and even after all this time it sent a tremor of warmth through her thighs right down to her toes.
    After a few moments, seeing how shocked it had made her, he led Helena over to the table to sit down, glancing at the few things she’d laid out for their lunch. ‘You really shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble,’ he joked.
    She dabbed her hand very cautiously with the tissues, not looking at him. Her skin wasn’t broken, she noted gratefully. But it was bright red and the incident had given her a horrible fright, making her tremble visibly. And Oscar had seen it.
    Without saying any more, he went over to make the tea, before bringing it across to Helena. ‘Here,’ he said gently, ‘drink this—it’ll help.’
    After a few cautious sips, Helena pulled herself together and glanced up at him. ‘So… you obviously saw Benjamin,’ she said, trying to act normally, and Oscar nodded.
    ‘Yes, he was more than happy to be here for another year. At least he’s being given time to come to termswith the prospect of yet another dramatic change in his personal circumstances.’
    As she tried to nibble at a biscuit, Helena said, ‘And we know that he and Louise will take good care of Mulberry Court for the time being,’ she added.
    Oscar took a mouthful of some of the food Helena had prepared before speaking. ‘Have you seen anything in the house that you might want to take away with you, I mean eventually, apart from the figures?’ he asked, and Helena cut in.
    ‘No, nothing. Anyway, I shall have more time to consider it when I come back,’ she said. ‘I intend returning to London early this afternoon… after I’ve picked up my things and paid my bill at the Inn,’ she added.
    ‘I’ve already settled our bill there,’ Oscar said casually, and Helena looked at him quickly. She hadn’t realized he’d already paid for their stay.
    ‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, reaching for her bag.
    Oscar paused. ‘I’ve forgotten,’ he said, taking another biscuit from the plate. ‘but I remember thinking it was very reasonable.’
    Helena opened her purse. ‘Well, then, try and remember,’ she said firmly. He needn’t act Mr Philanthropist, she thought, just because he was unbelievably rich. She had more than enough money to pay her own way.
    ‘Forget it,’ he said. ‘It’s not important.’
    Helena sighed, but decided to let the matter drop. She wasn’t in the mood for any arguments—and anyway, she’d never