Wedding The Greek Billionaire

“Much.” He was the proverbial white knight, but dressed in a stunning modern silk suit, who’d come out of nowhere to save her.

“Forgive me for a minute while I call my office, then we’ll find a pleasant place to have lunch.”

“You’ve been very kind, but you look like you’re on your way to an important meeting. Please don’t let me keep you.”

He slanted her a heart-stopping glance. “I’m glad you’re the reason I can’t make the board meeting I usually sleep through.” She didn’t believe that for a second. “Besides, I have to eat since I didn’t stop for breakfast this morning. Did you?”

“Actually I didn’t. I thought I’d eat on the ferry.”

“Well, I know a place where the food will be much better. Just give me a minute.”

By the time he’d gotten off the phone, she felt her more normal self. Once again the limo joined the mainstream of traffic and drove them out of the city to the coast ten miles away.

“I’m in the mood for fish. How about you?”

“That sounds wonderful.” But she didn’t feel hungry.

“When we get there, shall I order for you?”

“Please. I haven’t mastered your menus yet.”

He spoke to his driver again and they pulled up to one of those seaside places you read about in a brochure for this century’s jet set, exclusive and expensive. The restaurant was full, but a table had been reserved for them. He must have called ahead when he’d bought the lemonade.

Zoe knew she wasn’t dreaming, but it felt like she was in one. He helped her to her seat and sat across from her at the cloth-covered table with flowers. After the waiter took their order, his black eyes studied her features.

“Why were you going to Ithaca?”

“Since January, I’ve been doing research in Greece on the life of George Gordon Noel Byron, the Sixth Baron Byron, known as Lord Byron. I’ve visited many places and been to many sites, but there are still regions I have yet to see and learn about.”

To her surprise, his expression grew more animated. “Why him particularly?”

“He spent some time in and around Ithaca. I want to go there and talk to some of the local historians who will give me their insights about him.”

“What kind of work do you do?”

“I’m studying for my doctorate at UCLA, and I teach classes on the romance writers of the early nineteenth century. Last Christmas a famous female movie director in Hollywood named Magda Collier started making her most important film to date and chose Lord Byron for the subject. She needed new eyes for fresh research to make the script authentic.”

“And you were picked?”

“Two other women from Stanford and San Jose State University, Ginger and Abby, plus myself, were chosen to gather material. Magda’s idea was to show him as a genius whose spiritual side had so much to give the world and emphasize the greatness in him. I applauded her dream and was thrilled to be part of her team.”

“That’s quite an honor.”

“In a way, it is. Before Christmas we met in Los Angeles for a week with the screenwriters and learned from her what she wanted. I’ve been sending information to her for months, as have my friends. But the time is coming when I’ll have to return to the US, so I’m trying to make the most of it.”

“It sounds like you were an expert on him to begin with.”

“I’ve studied his works for years and have learned incredible things about his life while he spent time here in Greece.”

“How long have you been in Patras?”

“About six weeks.”

Their food came and it looked delicious, whetting her appetite. She ended up feasting on a plate of all sorts of fish and rice in a divine cream sauce.

“This is delicious, but I feel guilty that the poor taxi driver is probably at the hospital in pain. If he has a family, they must be so upset this happened.”

“Your compassion is commendable.”

“I’m sure you’d feel the same way. Do you think it was his fault?”

“I’m not sure, but I can find out what hospital he was taken to. Maybe then we might learn details.”

“Would you do that? If I could, I’d like to tell him how sorry I am for what happened. I’ve relied on taxis all through Greece. The drivers have always been wonderful and I’ve been so lucky. It astounds me how well they speak English. If I had to drive a Greek person around, I wouldn’t be able to communicate. It’s shameful that I only know a few words after all these months.”

“Not everyone is as appreciative as you. I’m impressed, kyria, and I’ll see what I can do on our way back to Patras.”

“Thank you.”

“Would you care for dessert?”

“I couldn’t manage one, but please order for yourself if you want to.”

“I’d rather drive you back to Patras while we find out about your taxi driver so you can relax.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. An accident that was out of your hands would unnerve anyone.”

He summoned the waiter and they left the restaurant for the limo. They sat across from each other as they’d done before. On the way into town he got on his cell phone and made a series of calls. Zoe knew that if anyone could pull strings to find out private information, he would be the one.

“I have good news,” he said after hanging up on his last call. “The driver received a cut on his eyebrow that was stitched up. He’s already been released from the hospital.”

“That’s a great relief to me. I’m glad it wasn’t his nose.”

Her knight chuckled. “The driver of the truck wasn’t injured. He was given the citation for not being careful.”

“I can’t thank you enough for finding out that information for me. I’ll sleep much better tonight.”

By this time the limo had pulled up in front of her apartment without needing directions. When the stranger had heard her give the police her information, he’d clearly remembered the address.

“What are your plans now?” he asked.

“Work. I’ll make use of today’s loss of time by transcribing some tapes I’ve made during interviews here. Tomorrow I’ll leave much earlier for the ferry and go to Ithaca.”

“You have to eat dinner. Will you dine with me this evening?”

She tried not to look at him or she’d get lost in those penetrating black eyes. “You’ve done more than enough for me when you’ve already missed your board meeting. I’m very grateful to you for coming to my rescue, but I refuse to take up any more of your time.”