The Bridegroom's Vow

Before their trip to China, Dimitrios had wondered how he’d ever gotten along without her. During their week’s stay in Beijing while he’d watched her weave her magic before their inscrutable colleagues with the finesse of a statesman, he finally figured it out.

She had a woman’s mind for detail, but she thought like a man. Best of all for Dimitrios, she had no interest in him.

“Ms. Hamilton brings her own genius to the company, just as you brought yours many years ago and tutored me, Stavros. I’m looking forward to next week when the two of you meet for the first time. She holds you in great reverence, you know.”

“I, too, shall enjoy making the acquaintance of this American paragon. Spring greets Winter.”

“Since she’s in her late thirties, it would be more accurate to say summer, and you’re sounding uncharacteristically maudlin, Stavros.”

“You have to allow me the vicissitudes of my age.”

Dimitrios chuckled, but beneath the banter he could sense his assistant’s vulnerability. Perhaps a word in Ms. Hamilton’s ear that she leave something important for Stavros to handle for the fair would help.

“Just so we understand each other, I won’t allow you to retire until I do. See you later this afternoon.”

“What’s wrong with Stavros?” his nephew asked as he clicked off the phone.

Putting his head back to relax, Dimitrios murmured, “He’s suddenly aware of growing older.”

“I know how he feels.”

Dimitrios would have laughed if Leon hadn’t sounded so serious. “You said you wanted to talk. Since you brought up Ionna, I have to wonder if you’re not about to tell me you’ve fallen for a girl your mother doesn’t like.”

Leon shook his head. “That’s not why we argued. I told her I dislike my business classes and want to drop out of the university. It’s only September. I can still withdraw without penalty before the fall semester starts in three weeks.”

Dimitrios schooled himself not to react. “To feel that strongly, you must have a very good reason.”

“My heart isn’t in it!” he cried. “I don’t think it ever was. Mother’s always had this vision of me taking my place in the family corporation. She says I owe it to my father’s memory. But business doesn’t appeal to me. Do you think that makes me some sort of traitor?” he asked in an anxious voice.

“Of course not,” Dimitrios scoffed.

At this point he could have told his nephew a few home truths. Like the fact that Leon’s father hadn’t been interested in the family business, either.

There was information Leon didn’t know about his mother that would shed more light on her determination to make certain he held onto his birthright.

But Dimitrios’s hands were tied, because telling his nephew the truth about the past would hurt him more than it would help.

“What do you want to do with your life, or do you even know yet?”

His nephew heaved a sigh. “It’s just an idea, but it’s grown stronger with every visit to Mount Athos.”

Mount Athos.

“You took me there the first time. Remember? We did a walking tour, and ate and slept at the various monasteries.”

Yes. He remembered. Especially his nephew’s fascination with the monks…

Dimitrios straightened in the seat.

Like a revelation he knew what Leon was going to say before he said it.

“Uncle? Last night I told mother I’m thinking of entering an order. That’s when she ran out of my bedroom in hysterics. I’ve never seen her react like that to anything. Would you talk to her about it? You’re the only person she’ll listen to.”

Lord.

Was it possible that Leon’s hero-worship of him had caused his nephew to dismiss a woman’s love as unimportant?

Ananke’s unprecedented visit to his bedroom this morning was beginning to make sense in a brand-new way.

Since the death of Leonides she’d lived on sufferance under Uncle Spiros’s roof until his passing, then under the protection of Dimitrios.

If her son renounced all his worldly goods and went to live on a mountain, Ananke wouldn’t only have lost a son to the church, she would have no choice but to move into a house Dimitrios would provide for her. A comfortable enough pied-à-terre befitting the widow of Leonides. All her dreams smashed.

“Before I say anything to your mother, I’d like to hear more about how you feel.”

“As I said, I’m only thinking about it.”

“Our trip to Mount Athos took place ten years ago. That’s a long time to give a young man to think.”

Leon blushed. The reaction tugged at Dimitrios’s heart. Perhaps his brother’s son truly did have a vocation for the religious life. If it was the path he was meant to travel, far be it from Dimitrios to try to dissuade him.

Then again, like greener pastures, the monastic life might sound good to him because he was still young and lost.

Dimitrios had never questioned what direction his own life would go. He couldn’t relate to Leon in that regard, but he was his guardian. As such, he felt it incumbent to listen as his nephew poured out his heart.

Afterward he would point out the ramifications of a decision that a twenty-two-year-old mind wasn’t capable of envisioning yet. For one thing, it would break his mother’s heart. Ananke might be many things, but she loved her son.

For another, it would destroy something inside Dimitrios if he thought his own tormented past had anything to do with the drastic step his nephew was contemplating.

Suddenly Dimitrios felt older than Stavros.

CHAPTER TWO

ALEX’S family always complained that she didn’t stay long enough when she came to Paterson for visits. Her parents had never approved of her intentionally making herself look older in order to get hired by the Pandakis company. It was a sore point Alex argued with her mother every time they got together.

“Surely after four years you could start easing back to your normal self by lightening your hair in increments, wearing clothes that suit your age. I haven’t seen my own daughter for so long, I don’t remember what you look like.”

“Mom…” Alex took a deep breath. “I wanted to be hired so badly, I would have done anything to gain Mrs. Landau’s approval. I thought if I looked like a solid, more mature, dependable type, I’d have a better chance with her. Mr. Pandakis may have the reputation of being a womanizer, but he’s totally professional with the staff at the office.

“But Mrs. Landau’s not there anymore, darling. Now that you’ve taken over her duties, it seems to me you can start being our daughter again.”

“You don’t understand, Mom.”

“Oh, but I do. You’re not willing to risk anything that would prevent you from being around him. He’s a man to turn any woman’s head, and he has, especially yours.”

“Yes,” she admitted. “He’s—”

“Bigger than life?” her mother preempted her. “I know. He’s the reason you’ve stopped dating and no longer have a social life.”

“I can’t right now. But when the trade fair is over, he’s taking a three week vacation. I’ve been ordered to do the same.”

“Which means all you’ll do is mope around here waiting until you can be back with him.”

Her mother knew her too well.

“Alexandra? I’ve tried not to interfere in your life too much. But it’s obvious to me you’re in love with the man. Because of that you’re blind to certain truths.”

Alex didn’t want to hear them.

“Darling— Can’t you see he’s not normal?”

“You mean because he’s not married with three or four children by now?” she cried.

“Yes. He’s a person who’s been blessed with so many gifts, I think he got lost somewhere along the way.”

Alex shook her head emphatically. “If you knew him, you’d never say such a thing.”

“I’m not talking about his business prowess. There’s something in his makeup that isn’t right. My guess is he was marred in childhood and it stunted his emotional growth.

“How else do you explain his inability to settle down with one woman? Or for that matter, why Mrs. Landau seemed to choose only plain women to work for him. He’s simply not an ordinary sort. Don’t you agree? Honestly?”

Tears prickled Alex’s eyes. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Darling.” Her mother put an arm around her. “All I want is your happiness, but I’m afraid if you continue to work for him, he’ll go on taking advantage of your generous nature and you’ll never find joy in being a wife, or a mother.”

Alex broke down for a minute, then wiped her eyes. “Mom? There’s something I have to tell you. Maybe then you’ll understand why I can’t seem to let him go. I—I didn’t apply for a job at the Pandakis Corporation by chance,” she stammered.

“I suspected as much. When their people came to Paterson for the international silk seminar your grandfather hosted ten years ago, I remember the huge impact so many wealthy, dark-haired men made on everyone. Not a bad place to start a career for a girl right out of college.”

“Actually it was nine years ago.”

Her mother sent her a shrewd regard. “What went on that night? Did Dimitrios Pandakis’s wandering eye light on you? Did he tell you to come and see him when you were all grown up?”

“No!” Alex cried out. “If only it had happened like that, I wouldn’t have been forced to resort to subterfuge. It was Giorgio Pandakis—”

In a torrent of words she explained what had gone on nine years earlier when Dimitrios had saved her from his cousin. After confiding everything she said, “He was willing to stand by me, Mom. He offered to help me because that’s the kind of man he is.”

“No wonder you fell in love with him,” her mother murmured in a saddened voice. “I’ve tried to imagine what hold he’s had over you all this time. Everything you’d done since than has been with him in mind.”

“I’ve never been able to look at another man. I couldn’t!”

“But what has it really gotten you except heartache? This has to stop, darling. A teenage fantasy is one thing. But he’s become your obsession. Surely if it was meant to be, he would have returned your feelings by now.”

She knew her mother was right. Everyone was right. Michael. Her friend Yanni.

But the pain was killing her.

“I’m afraid for you to go to Greece with him. It can only put you on a more intimate footing with him without getting anything back in return.”

“I know, but I have to go. I’m in charge of the trade fair.”

“I realize that. Oh, Alexandra, you’ve gotten yourself in way too deep. I particularly don’t like the idea of your being anywhere near his cousin. Obviously he’d caused trouble in their family long before he set eyes on you, otherwise your boss wouldn’t have been so straightforward in dealing with the situation.”

It had taken Alex a few years before she’d figured that out.

“Don’t worry, Mom. Giorgio’s been married a long time and has a family. Besides, I’m not a teenager anymore, and he wouldn’t give me a second glance now.”

Her mother stared at her with anxious eyes. “I’m not so sure of that. You may look older now, but you’ll always be a beautiful girl. Even so, lies have a way of surfacing. How do you think Mr. Pandakis will react if he finds out you intentionally disguised yourself to get hired?”

“Literally speaking it was Mrs. Landau who gave me the job.”

“You know what I mean.”

Alex sucked in her breath. “I have no idea how he’d feel.”

“Yes, you do. You’ve just told me he’s an honorable man when it comes to business. Men like that expect honor in return. Mark my words, Alexandra. Every minute you’re in his employ, you’re playing with fire.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” she blurted in agony. “I—I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. Between you and Michael, I’m convinced that the only thing to do is resign.”

“If you really mean that, then go to Greece. Do your job. Don’t go near his family, then come straight home on the first available commercial flight and hand in your resignation. He’ll have three weeks to find another secretary within the company to replace you.”

“You’re right,” she whispered brokenly. “My assistant Charlene would give anything to have my job. As soon as I get back, I’ll look for something around here.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.” She gave her mother another hug. “Kiss Daddy for me. I have to run.”

“Call me as often as you can.”

“Okay. I love you, Mom. Thanks for the advice.”

“It’s more than advice, darling. It’s a warning.”

Tears swamped Alex’s cheeks as she left the house and drove off with those words ringing in her ears. All the way to New York she relived the conversation with her mother. The fissure had cracked open wide, wide, wide.

What a fool Alex had been. Four years had come and gone. She was still forgettable to Dimitrios.

But if he never gave her another thought after she left his employ, she was determined he’d remember the fruit of her labors.

For the last eight months she’d given the international textile fair her all. She hoped it would make Greece the forerunner in establishing business relations on a global scale.

Before Mrs. Landau had passed away, she’d told Alex that Dimitrios had been asked to host the trade fair at the behest of the Greek government. They needed a name guaranteed to bring success.

It was a project dear to Alex’s heart in more ways than one. She immediately went to work on it and received glowing praise from Mrs. Landau. But before the older woman could present the complete project to Dimitrios for his approval, she suffered a fatal heart attack at her home.

Her death affected everyone in the company, especially Dimitrios, who’d considered her his right hand away from Greece. Suddenly he was trying to do Mrs. Landau’s work plus his own.

When he’d asked Alex to take over as best she could, she’d sensed he felt she was a lightweight who couldn’t handle the enormous trade fair project along with her normal duties.

Fearing she’d miss the one big opportunity to make her mark, Alex rushed to assure him that she’d already worked out most of the details with Mrs. Landau. Whenever he gave the word, she would start implementing the plans.

She remembered that evening so clearly. Her mind’s eye could see the way he lounged back in his swivel chair and unfastened his tie. Fatigue lines had darkened his attractive face whose shadowed jaw gave evidence that he’d been going too hard, traveling too much without proper rest.

He stared at her with incurious eyes, causing her heart to plummet. Although he hadn’t told her no, she realized he had little faith in her abilities to take on something of such vital importance.

“Have you ever been to Greece, Ms. Hamilton?”

“No, but I have a history degree.”

In the uneasy silence that followed her response, she watched him rub his forehead as if he had a headache. No doubt he did and was barely holding on to his patience.

“Do you have something written up you can show me now, or do you need more time?”

She took a deep breath. “I’ll get the portfolio out of my office and be right back.”

Upon her return she asked if she could spread the materials out on his desk. He nodded.

The second she positioned the first twenty-by-twenty-four inch drawing in front of him, the complacency left his face. As he sat forward, his well-shaped black brows drew together.

“This isn’t Athens.” His voice trailed off.

“Was your heart set on it for the trade fair?”

Instead of answering her, he continued his perusal.

Swallowing hard she said, “That’s a rendition of medieval Thessalonica during the great Byzantine fair held in the twelfth century. Everyone came—from Constantinople, Egypt, Phoenicia, the Peloponnese.”

His head finally lifted. This time his eyes reminded her of twin black fires. “You drew this?”

“It’s only a sketch. I thought because Thessalonica is your home, it would be exciting and fitting to recreate that same fair with colorful merchant booths and flags from every country participating. The whole city can get involved by providing local foods and drinks, everyone in native costume. Troubadours, music, dancing.

“Since it was the great cultural center then and still is today, I can’t think of another place in Greece more appropriate to host a trade fair, certainly not one of this magnitude.”

She placed a sketch of a closeup of the bay in front of him. “We could invite the countries around the Mediterranean and as far away as Scandinavia to bring their restored ships and anchor them here like they once did. Everyone can go aboard to see their wares.

“It will be like stepping back in time, but the products will be the latest in materials and textiles from around the world.

“We’ll launch a massive ad campaign on the Internet with each country having its own Web page to list their products. I’ve already procured Web addresses. People who aren’t able to attend can place orders.

“Think what it would mean economically to the Greek Island cottage industries for example, not to mention new world markets. Of course the pièce de résistance will be this.” He hadn’t interrupted her yet, so she whipped out her next drawing.

“Follow the silk road from Thessalonica to Soufli. At various points along the route, the delegations will set up their silk exhibits. Visits to the mulberry tree farm and the silk mansion in Soufli will be the highlight of the tour.

“The weather will be warm and perfect in September. Imagine the streets of Soufli lined with booths showing every stage from the secretions of the silkworm, to the silk thread ending up as a cravate or a gown.

“We’ll woo the media ahead of time so there’ll be a blitz that hits airwaves around the wor—”

“Ms. Hamilton.” He cut in on her.

Her body broke out in a cold sweat. He didn’t like it. Afraid to look at him, she said, “Yes?”

“What you’ve put together here is nothing short of sheer genius. In fact I’m having difficulty assimilating everything all at once.”

Alex had been ready to pass out from disappointment. She still felt light-headed, except that now it was for an entirely different reason.

“Unfortunately none of this can happen without hotel space,” he muttered. “Every place of lodging in Macedonia and Thrace should have been notified months ago in order to carry out such a fantastic plan.”

“They were.”

His dark head reared back in stunned surprise.

“In Athens and the surrounding regions, too. I also notified the head of all the businesses involved, the restaurants, the universities, the musicians’ network, the transport services, port authorities, police, so they would set aside the time and plan ahead how to accommodate the huge crowds.

“I assume this is what it’s like mobilizing for war, except that in this case everyone will enjoy the spoils of victory.”

“Lord,” she heard him whisper.

“It’s a good thing we’re talking about this tonight,” she informed him. “The day after tomorrow is the final date for me to confirm or cancel everything without penalty.

“I’ve been waiting to discuss the fair with you until you’d recovered from Mrs. Landau’s passing. She was extremely fond of you, too. It should please you to know that every contact person has assured me they wouldn’t have held on this long for anyone but Dimitrios Pandakis. It’s an honor to work for you.” She had a struggle at the last to keep the emotion out of her voice.

In an unconscious gesture he raked his hands through the luxuriant black hair she longed to touch. “Here I was beginning to think you were perfect, Ms. Hamilton. Now I can see you’re not above bribery to get what you want. For that flaw, you’ve won yourself a full evening of work that could take us well into the night.”

With those words he’d just given her the first taste of her heart’s desire.

“While you arrange to have our dinner sent up, I’ll cancel my plans to attend the symphony and we’ll start again. I want to hear this from the beginning.

“Slowly this time. Detail by detail until I’ve picked that brilliant brain of yours. I can see I’ve also underestimated the value of your American university education. Did you study any languages?”

“My degree specialized in classical European history, so there were several classes I had to take in Latin and Greek.”

“You speak and understand Greek?” He sounded incredulous.

“No. But since I came to work for your company I’ve been trying to do both with the help of a tutor.”

“Who?”

“A graduate student from Athens who lives in my apartment building. He trades me lessons for meals.”

“You cook, too?”

“Yanni’s not particular.”

Alex couldn’t remember Dimitrios ever smiling at her before now. What a gorgeous man he was.

“When you call downstairs, tell the kitchen to send a gallon of coffee with the food.”

“Which brand of decaffeinated do you prefer?”

He lifted a sardonic brow. “Forget everything you learned from Mrs. Landau.”

“You don’t really mean that. I happen to know she had your very best interest at heart.”

Once more his black eyes flashed fire. “You happen to know a lot more than I thought possible.”

I sincerely hope so. Otherwise how will I ever become unforgettable to you?

More tears dripped down Alex’s face as she remembered that evening with him. He’d loved her idea and had let her run with it. But nothing else had changed in the intervening months. Nothing personal.

Her mother was right about him not being normal. Even Alex knew it was time to give up. The trade fair would have to be her swan song.

Unless she died of pain first…

Dimitrios left his New York office with the morning newspaper under his arm and rode the elevator to the parking garage level of the building.

“Ms. Hamilton hasn’t arrived yet?” he asked his driver who was waiting for them with the limo.

“I haven’t seen her, Mr. Pandakis.”

He checked his watch. No crime had been committed because it was a only few minutes past eight. It surprised him because she was the most punctual person he’d ever met.

At the end of work yesterday he’d told her he would drop by her apartment on the way to the airport to pick her up. To his surprise she’d said it wouldn’t be necessary because she’d be coming by the office early to take care of some last-minute business.

“Mr. Pandakis?”

Dimitrios turned in time to see one of the parking attendants approach him.

“Your secretary just called. She said she was running late and her friend would drive her straight to the airport.”

He blinked. No doubt Ms. Hamilton had many friends, but the only one he’d ever heard about was Yanni. A compatriot.

Besides cooking him meals in exchange for language lessons, was she his pillow friend? It might explain why she’d chosen not to call Dimitrios on her cell phone to tell him about the change in plans. Particularly not if her tutor were lying next to her having a hard time saying goodbye.

The idea that Ms. Hamilton might have a love life made her more of an enigma than ever because she’d never let it interfere with her work. For quite some time he’d been aware that she wasn’t like most women. That’s why she’d become so valuable to him.

He climbed in the back of the limo. “Let’s go to the airport.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dimitrios unfolded the paper. The first thing he noticed on the front page of the Times was a fantastic shot of three ships. At closer inspection they turned out to be a Viking longboat plus a Greek and a Roman galley moored in the bay of Thessalonica awaiting the fair. A nice-size article accompanied the photo.

He saw Ms. Hamilton’s hand in the write-up. Except to give her the okay on the project, Dimitrios really hadn’t been—

His thoughts were interrupted by the ring of his cell phone. He pulled it from his pocket and checked the caller ID. It was someone from the villa.

“Yassou?”

“Kalimera, Uncle. You are coming home today aren’t you?”