The Theotokis Inheritance (12 page)

As she strolled on, her mind a kaleidoscope of shifting thoughts, Helena found herself at the very top of the grounds which would then lead her down the winding path towards the willow tree. She realized that for some unknown reason she hadn’t gone there at all since being here all these weeks. It hadn’t been a deliberate thing, more a subconscious wish to leave certain memories alone, she thought briefly. To peer inside the lowering branches might seem like opening a tomb…

So what was dragging her feet towards the tree? she asked herself now as, presently, there it was, its graceful branches reaching the ground, almost still in the light breeze. With an overpowering sense of resignation, Helena knew she was going to go in and sit on that flat tree stump just one more time.
Confront the problem
—she could hear her father’s voice—
confronting a problem is halfway to solving it
.

Well, Helena knew she wasn’t going to solve this particular problem—the problem of loving someone
who loved someone else—but here goes, she thought, as she parted the branches of the tree and entered into the sweet, damp darkness…

It was about half an hour later that she heard his voice and, with her eyes still closed, Helena smiled. She wasn’t asleep, she told herself, only daydreaming as she’d been sitting there surrounded by all the gentle, friendly ghosts of her past. She could hear them whispering, telling secrets, laughing…

‘Heleena…’
The voice, only slightly louder now—but she was not going to open her eyes. This was a mesmerising event… one which would never happen again. Hold on to the daydream, she told herself. Hold on to it…

He had been gazing down at her for some time, drinking in her appearance, She looked so childlike, so naïve, making the years between somehow melt away…

Then, ‘I knew this is where I would find you.’

Suddenly, jerked from her semi-consciousness, Helena’s eyes shot open and she stared up into Oscar’s deep, penetrating gaze. For a full five seconds she didn’t know whether she was awake, asleep or somewhere in between, but then he moved towards her, holding out his hands to raise her up, gathering her into his arms, crushing her to him, making her gasp. She
was
awake! This was real!

Saying no more, Oscar’s lips found her mouth, her neck, the smooth skin of her bare shoulders—then her mouth once more, deeply, longingly, as if he were quenching his thirst with a draught of pure nectar.
‘Heleena,’
was all he murmured again.

And, clinging to him, Helena knew she wasn’t going to let him go. It was the final curtain on this particular act in her life—this must last her for ever! With her arms raised and her hands entwined in the thickness of his hair, she leaned into him, her head dropping backwards, her trembling lips parting to receive his manly, seductive touch, and the feel of him, the smell of him, made her world revolve in crazy circles… round and round, making her feel so dizzy that if he hadn’t been holding her closely she would have sunk to her knees on the ground.

Then, suddenly, abruptly, Helena’s principles returned and reluctantly she pulled herself away and stared up at him in total confusion and dismay. What
was
this? she asked herself. What was he making her do? What was she allowing him to do?

‘Oscar—’ she said shakily ‘—this… this isn’t right… is it?’

Still holding her, he murmured, ‘It feels exactly right to me, Helena.’

‘But—Allegra?’

He frowned down at her. ‘Allegra?’

‘Well… I’m assuming that she’s the wife you’ll be bringing here in the not too distant future,’ Helena began, and he interrupted her.

‘Allegra Papadopoulos—and her sister Callidora—are old family friends,’ he said. ‘Nothing more. Allegra is like the kid sister I never had.’

‘But… her baby?’ Helena said. ‘The baby she lost…?’

‘Helena, Allegra’s baby is absolutely nothing to do with me,’ Oscar asserted firmly. He paused. ‘Allegra is a rather… unusual… woman. She has no wish to be
married, but is determined to produce a child.’ He shrugged. ‘In my view, every child does better with two parents, if possible. But Allegra’s always been terribly headstrong. She’ll probably get her way in the end.’

Helena swallowed, for some reason feeling glad that Allegra would not be the wife Oscar intended bringing here, but—did it matter which woman became his wife?

There was silence for a few moments after that, while Helena tried to make sense of this situation. Then, thinking that perhaps his need for her at this moment was more to do with his raw grief following his father’s death, she said, ‘I hope all the arrangements in Greece went ahead without too many problems, Oscar…’ After all, she thought, people usually liked to talk about life-changing events in their lives. He let her go slightly and looked down into her eyes.

‘There are other, rather more important things, that are my concern now,’ he said.

Helena steeled herself. ‘About the house, you mean—and bringing your wife here?’ she began but, before she could say another word, he had dragged her back towards him roughly, their faces so close that she could feel his rapid breath fanning her cheek.

‘Yes, it is about my wife—or my prospective wife,’ he said evenly. ‘And I’m hoping you can help me out with that.’

She
could help him out! How? And why?

‘You’ll have to give me a clue as to how I can possibly be of assistance,’ she said, hearing her voice tremble as she uttered the words.

‘I did give you a clue the night we came back from Greece,’ he said, but unfortunately you didn’t pick up on my perhaps clumsy hint.’

‘Clue? What clue?’ Helena asked, totally mystified. He was talking in riddles!

Then, after the longest moment of her life, Helena heard Oscar say the words she’d thought were lost to her for ever.

‘It is
you
that I love,
Heleena
,’ he said quietly. ‘
You
are the wife I was talking about… you are the only woman I would ever want to marry… Didn’t you realize…?’

Almost swooning with amazement, Helena looked up at him. How was she supposed to have realized it? ‘Well, that wasn’t exactly what you implied on that night,’ she said. ‘You must think I am so stupid!’

Holding her so closely that they might have been one person, he whispered, ‘You are not stupid,
Heleena
…. you are the sweet, intelligent, innocent girl that I have always known, have always loved. You are the girl who has made me unable to accept anyone else, to commit to anyone else. You are the woman I have been waiting for.’ He rested his mouth on top of her head for a moment. ‘Before we met again, I’d convinced myself that I would never marry—because no one else would ever do. And now…’ he held her away from him gently ‘… I have to make you see, make you understand why I was forced to walk away from you—from us—all that time ago. And make you say that you will marry me… marry me soon…
kopella mou
…’

H
AND
in hand and saying very little, they made their way back to the house, Helena feeling almost drunk, delirious with happiness. She knew that her colourful imagination went to extreme lengths at times, but today went beyond anything her dreamy mind could come up with. This was paradise. Somewhere, quietly in the background, her guardian angel had been at work.

As they let themselves into the silent house, Oscar led Helena into the conservatory, closing the door behind them. They didn’t bother to switch on the lamps; the silver beams from a pale moon was enough to infiltrate the corners, to light up the shadows of the room.

Feeling as if her knees were not going to be able to hold her up for much longer, Helena sat down on the long sofa and looked up at Oscar. He had gone across to gaze out of the window and now he half-turned towards her, the strong profile, the determined jaw testament to his powerful bearing, his superiority in any situation he found himself in. Helena shivered with sensuous pleasure. This was the man who’d always been the love of her life, and he had just told her that he wanted to marry her! And that he
loved
her!

But first he must tell her. She
had
to know.

‘Why did you abandon me all that time ago, Oscar? Why didn’t you tell me what I had done wrong?’ she whispered. ‘Why did you stop loving me?’

Now he turned towards her, his expression ominous in its intensity. ‘I have never stopped loving you! And you had done
nothing
wrong,
Heleena
! You could, would never do anything wrong!’ He ran a hand through his hair restlessly. Then, choosing his words…

‘It all happened during the time of our last vacation here… just before you were going off to university,’ he said slowly. ‘Two dreadful, unimaginable things occurred at the same time and I was called back home urgently.’ He paused before going on. ‘Our company was within a hair’s breadth of total disaster, thanks to unforeseeable circumstances in the industry as a whole, the first such thing to happen in our long history and a total shock, I can tell you. We had to move fast because it was something which had to be dealt with quickly, and it was necessary for me to be there, to understand, almost at once to assume responsibility—to take my place at the head of the team.’

Helena listened without saying anything, realizing what a bombshell the prospect of failure must have been for the mighty Theotokis empire.

After a moment, Oscar went on, ‘But much, much worse, at exactly that same time my poor father was diagnosed with a debilitating disease from which he had no hope of recovery.’ Oscar swallowed. ‘Only the prospect of slowly declining health. And my father was a very proud man. Before his illness he worked every single day of his life, he was an unstoppable, driving force and the prospect of becoming wheelchair-bound
was something he could barely face, could barely tolerate.’ Oscar shut his eyes against the memory of that hideous time, before going on. ‘And he was emphatic that his condition should not be widely known; he didn’t want the news to become public property, it would not have been good for the company. He didn’t want people to know—and to pity him. To be pitied would have been the final straw.’ Oscar shook his head slowly, the pain of that time still hurting him deeply. ‘Of course, certain members of the company had to be told, but by various means and for a considerable time it was kept largely a secret until, eventually, that became impossible.’

Oscar turned to look down at Helena, and she could see from the agony in his eyes how much he had loved and respected his father, how much he had cared for the older man’s predicament, and for the name of their illustrious company.

‘So, there was no alternative; I had to put the rest of my life on hold and do my family duty,’ Oscar went on heavily. ‘I had so much to learn from my father—and to learn quickly while he still had the strength to instruct and advise me.’

Helena had listened to every word, knowing what it was costing Oscar to go over that painful time. But… ‘Couldn’t you have told me, Oscar? You know I would have understood,’ she said. ‘And I would have waited for you, however long it took. Didn’t you know that?’

‘How could I ask such a thing of an eighteen-year-old girl just about to go out into the world for the first time?’ Oscar demanded. ‘You would be meeting other people, other men; you deserved to have a life of your
own without emotional responsibilities.’ He hesitated. ‘I knew my path was going to be long and onerous… How could I have held you back? Besides, I was under a vow of secrecy about my father’s illness. I could tell no one, not even someone I knew I could trust.’ Oscar heaved a long sigh. ‘I gave my word, and I could not break that,’ he said.

After a moment, Helena said, ‘I found it so hard, Oscar, so terribly hard… I just couldn’t understand…’

He interrupted her. ‘And it was so hard for me, too!’ he said harshly. ‘Don’t you think I was full of regret? Don’t you think I felt bad? That not only was I losing you, but I couldn’t tell you why!’ Oscar’s expression contorted at his own words. Then, ‘I thought of you so much,
Heleena
… I thought of you all the time… I imagined you married to someone else, and that thought tormented me.’ He sighed deeply. ‘Until, finally, the pressures I was under forced me to think of nothing else but the task I was faced with.’ He paused for a long moment before adding, with a trace of cynicism, ‘And I can recommend relentless work, relentless routine, as a very effective antidote to the human need for love.’

Slowly, Helena got to her feet and went over to slide her arms around Oscar’s neck, resting her head on his shoulder, and he immediately enfolded her in his arms. But of course she would have waited for him, she thought. Well, without realizing it, hadn’t she been doing just that?

He gazed down at her, then kissed her closed eyelids tenderly.

‘Must I go down on one knee to hear you say that
you will be my wife,
Heleena
?’ he murmured, and she smiled.

‘Oscar, you should have known the answer to that—and all you needed to do was to tell me that you still loved me,’ she said.

Then, in the enveloping silence of the room, their lips met in a long, deeply sensuous kiss that took them back to those halcyon days, days which were not gone and forgotten… days which were to return.

Presently, gently pulling away, Helena said, ‘I’ve got something I want to tell you, Oscar… something lovely… something amazing.’ He raised one dark eyebrow as she continued. ‘A few days ago, I found some letters—well, actually they found me.’ She swallowed. ‘What I mean is—I was meant to find them,’ she added, ‘and they were written from just after I’d left home to go to university, until the last week before my father’s death.’

Helena struggled with her emotions for a moment, unable to continue, and Oscar frowned slightly.

‘Go on,’ he murmured.

‘They were letters between Isobel and my father, Oscar, and they were left in very tidy date order. The first one was from Isobel, thanking him for some extra work she’d asked him to do, and then there was his reply to her. And this correspondence appears to have continued regularly until four years ago.’ Now Helena couldn’t stop her tears from sliding gently down her face. ‘They are the most beautiful letters I have ever read of a slowly emerging love story between two people who surprise themselves by discovering that—later on in their lives, and quite unexpectedly—they have
deep feelings for each other. And it obviously gave them pleasure to say all this by writing to each other about it.’ Helena wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. ‘And it’s clear that, eventually, they… they did become lovers.’ Helena dropped her voice, as if telling a secret.

If he was astounded at this news, Oscar gave no sign. But—why should he, why should anyone be surprised? His great-aunt had always been a beautiful and gracious woman, and Daniel Kingston an attractive and charming man who, despite having worked all his life on the land, had always had the manner of a rather gallant gentleman. Yes, they would have made perfect partners. And it should never be forgotten that intimate feelings were not the preserve of the young, Oscar thought. Love was for everyone, if you could find it.

‘Where did you find the letters?’ he asked softly.

Helena smiled briefly. ‘In my room there is a chest of drawers which has a secret compartment. Only Isobel and I knew about that,’ she said. ‘And that’s why I know that she wanted me to see the letters, she wanted to share them with me. She knew I’d find them one day.’ Helena closed her eyes for a second. Then, ‘I feel… ecstatic… that my wonderful dad found love a second time in his life, Oscar, and with a lady who’d meant so much to me, too.’ She paused. ‘I feel as if I’m having too much happiness all at once,’ she said slowly.

It was quite late by the time they eventually decided to have supper and presently, in the kitchen, Oscar watched while Helena took the delicious food from the fridge, then carefully poured oil and vinegar and
honey into a bowl to prepare a dressing for their salad. He loved watching the way she used her slim fingers, the way her pale forehead creased into the merest semblance of a frown as she bent over the task, the way her dark eyelashes fanned the curve of her cheek…

They ate the meal in comparative silence, both relishing the distinctive love-enhanced atmosphere in the room, the sense of emotional security that bound them. And every now and again their eyes would meet and a silent message would pass between them—a message which had hung, unspoken, for so long.

But Oscar knew that there were things he must say to Helena—to make sure that she understood that by marrying him, her life was never going to be the same again.

He took a deep breath, and looked across at her. ‘Are you fully aware of how marrying me is going to change your life, Helena?’ he asked. ‘Are you… are you sure you are ready for it? Are you sure you can bear it?’

Helena looked at him steadily, a faint smile on her lips. ‘When people commit to a relationship,’ she said slowly, ‘it usually does mean a complete change to their lives, doesn’t it? Isn’t that what both parties expect… and want?’

‘Of course,’ Oscar said, ‘and it’s certainly what I want! But I realize how far you’ve come from your childhood here, how hard you’ve worked to achieve the independence you’ve earned. Are you prepared to give that up?’ His face was serious for a moment. ‘Because, you see, I cannot give up
my
career. I will never be able to just walk away from my responsibilities, and it will mean that you, too, will be affected.’ He reached across
and covered Helena’s hand with his own, holding her tightly, before going on.

‘I have to be in Greece and travel elsewhere abroad at regular intervals—and you will need to be with me sometimes. I will need to introduce you as my wife, I mean, it’ll be important for us to be together. Not all the time, of course,’ he added quickly, ‘and Mulberry Court would always be our English base—but we cannot be here as often as perhaps you would like, Helena,’ he said. ‘Some compromise will be needed.’

Helena’s eyes swam with tenderness. Precious though Mulberry Court was, it could never be as precious as flesh and blood, she thought. Could never be compared with being in the company of someone you deeply, truly loved.

‘But Oscar, wasn’t that what Isobel did—all her life?’ Helena asked. ‘She made it work. She travelled with Paul and was often abroad with him—but still managed to keep a firm foothold here as well.’ Helena smiled. ‘It’s going to be history repeating itself, isn’t it—and what better example do we have to follow?’ She paused. ‘And if you’re worrying about my career being cut short—well, I can help
you
, can’t I? I’d really love to find out how you make the company work, what it entails… the secret of its success.’

Thoroughly enthused by this thought, Helena went on, ‘I mean it, Oscar. It would be a complete change of scene for me—and I’d enjoy the challenge.’ She smiled at him pertly. ‘I do very well at interviews. I’m sure you would find me a suitable candidate for the post of your PA.’

Oscar looked across at her flushed features longingly.
Then, ‘There is something else that perhaps we should talk about,’ he began, and Helena raised her eyebrows. What else could there be?

Oscar came straight to the point. ‘I want us to have children… I mean I would
love
us to have children. Several children, to be a real, noisy family.’ He paused. ‘I’ve never heard you express an opinion on parenthood, but…’

‘You mean… I would be expected to produce heirs for the family firm, to carry on the name?’ Helena began, and he interrupted fiercely.

‘Hell,
no!
’ Oscar exclaimed, leaning closer and taking both of her hands in his. ‘I want us to have children for
us
, to see them grow up happily—and for much of the time here, at Mulberry Court. To give them brothers and sisters, something that I never had.’ He shrugged. ‘And who knows? If we are lucky enough to produce children and one of them chooses to follow in the family footsteps—well, that’ll be fine. But it won’t be a pre-condition of being a Theotokis,’ he added firmly. He paused, smiling briefly. ‘And, anyway, I seem to remember that Isobel stated a wish that a couple with children might buy the house. So… we would be carrying out her instructions, wouldn’t we?’ he said.

Suddenly, the ensuing silence was broken by Helena’s mobile ringing and, raising her eyes at Oscar, she picked it up to answer it. It was Louise and, after a few moments of brief conversation, Helena ended the call and stood up.

‘Louise apologizes profusely for the lateness of the call,’ Helena said, ‘but wonders whether we would like to go down to the cottages for a celebratory nightcap.’

She shrugged. ‘I didn’t realize it, but today is Benjamin’s birthday,’ she added.

It was past midnight before Oscar and Helena left the cottage and started strolling back to the house. It was a perfect evening, enriched by the early summer scents of honeysuckle, hawthorn and cow parsley. As Helena gazed upwards briefly, the stars in the night sky twinkled and shone seductively, matching the glow in her eyes. Oscar encircled Helena’s waist tightly.