She picked up the smallest box, stroking over the soft blue velvet. Jewellery? She eased the lid open and her hand flew to her mouth as the exposed contents glittered under the lights. Earrings. A twinkling confection of rubies and diamonds.
Thea lifted one and the chandelier fall of it trembled in her grasp. She couldn’t help it. Slipped them into her ears and turned to the mirror. The flash of gems dangled low.
Anna gasped. ‘They’re beautiful. Like drops of blood and tears.’
‘Tears?’ Thea’s voice cracked as she said it.
‘Happy tears,’ Anna said. ‘Why wouldn’t a woman be happy with a gift like that?’
Because it was too much.
And yet there was more.
Thea reached for the large box, tugging at the ends of the perfect bow holding it closed. Inside lay a garment of vivid red. She eased it from the folds of white tissue. Now it was her turn to gasp. A halter neck evening dress lined with satiny carmine silk lay inside. The whole of it was beaded, and it sparkled in a way that matched the earrings.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it...’ Anna whispered.
But Thea had observed what Anna hadn’t. The back of the dress plunged. When it was on, it would leave her exposed.
Heart pounding, she flung it onto the bed as if the fabric had burned her. How could Christo demand she wear this? Even with her hair long and free, as she’d planned, her tattoos would be on view.
Heat flushed her cheeks. Did he intend to humiliate her?
Anna’s voice intruded. ‘The last box, Mrs... Thea?’
Strappy sandals to match the dress and earrings. Perfection in gold, adorned with red and clear jewels.
‘Aren’t you going to try them on?’ Anna asked.
‘I don’t know if I should...’
‘You must.’ Anna planted her hands on her hips. ‘What man doesn’t want to show off his beautiful wife?’
Was that it? Surely not.
She glanced back at the dress, discarded on the bed. Like nothing she’d ever owned. Brand-new. Couture. All hers. She fingered the exquisite fabric, soft, yet heavy in her hands.
Anna grabbed the black dress from the bed and went to the walk-in wardrobe.
Thea took a deep breath and began unbuttoning her blouse. She’d do this—then refuse the gift and return to her first choice.
She stepped into the gown. The silk lining slipped cool and seductive against her skin. She sat on the bed and toed into the shoes before rising. Beaded lace fell heavy against her.
Anna returned to the room, eyes wide. ‘You’re going to take everyone’s breath away.’
Thea walked to the full-length mirror. Lace of blood-coloured perfection slid across her body. A dress meant to display a woman’s shape. It flared at the bottom, so when she walked the lower half swished, beads glittering with every footstep. She turned and cast an eye over her shoulder. The back plunged tantalisingly low, but not indecently, framing the birds which soared over her spine.
Why had he chosen this? She couldn’t wear it. Even though the fabric sang against her skin.
Thea walked back to her wardrobe with Anna trailing behind. She’d wear the dress she’d picked earlier. It wasn’t showy, like this one, which allowed all her private wounds to be displayed.
‘What beautiful tattoos,’ Anna said quietly. ‘So real...like they’re ready to fly away.’
‘Thank you.’ Thea flicked through the hangers, looking for her black gown. Where had Anna hidden it? ‘But I usually keep them covered. I can’t wear this dress.’
‘Why hide them?’ Anna looked bemused. ‘Mr Callas knows you have them, and he chose this dress for you—so he doesn’t care.’
‘No, he doesn’t. It’s perfect.’