It was a small island and appeared to have only this one road cutting through it. They were only a mile or so from the sandy, brown beaches and sparkling Aegean Sea. The car halted after a few short minutes, and Scarlett stepped out of the Cadillac, anxious to see the villa.
It was a squarish stone building, whitewashed, with olive trees in the yard. The grass was bright green, freshly mown, and masses of greenery grew in organized chaos. Scarlett followed Carter inside the house, noticing the exquisite marble steps, and gasped in delight as they went in the entry way. A breathtaking mosaic of Diana was inlaid under their feet, the details painstaking. “This is lovely.”
“My sister Thea designed it.” Pride warmed his voice. “She studied art in Europe and worked at the Louvre for a time before returning home. Now she paints and sculpts. In her free time, what little there is,” he shared an amused look with Darren, “She donates her services to restore ancient Grecian art.”
“Does she live here?” asked Scarlett, eager to meet the woman responsible for the beautiful art they were standing on.
Carter nodded. “Yes, she lives here with Mama, and my other sister, Lydia, and her son Noah.”
Scarlett was unable to ask any more questions as his family descended upon them. The two younger women were beautiful, with olive complexions and wildly curling black hair. They both talked rapidly in Greek. Scarlett turned her attention to the older woman standing slightly behind her daughters and saw she was being observed.
Carter’s mother was tall and elegant. Her thick, black hair, streaked liberally through with gray, was bound on her head in a bun, making her look almost severe. The warm smile of welcome on her face counteracted Scarlett’s first impression. In accented English, she asked Carter, “Who is this lovely woman you have brought with you?”
Carter hesitated briefly, and Scarlett had an insane urge to blurt out a name, any name, as long as it wasn’t her own. She was saved from doing anything foolish by Carter’s reply. “This is Scarlett,” he said, pausing as he looked at his sisters, then his mother. “Terini.”
His sisters, who were filled with friendly chatter only moments ago, fell silent, their mouths gaping open. His mother’s eyes widened with surprise, and maybe something more. Her welcoming smile disappeared, and Scarlett felt exposed before them. “Hello,” she said, trying to sound bright and cheerful, but only managing flat and hoarse.
A sudden flurry of Greek began, and Carter responded to them in the language they all shared. Darren seemed to understand it too, as Scarlett saw him wince a couple of times, usually when Carter raised his voice.
A sullen silence fell, and they stood there awkwardly. Carter took a deep breath, but there was still a flush to his cheeks. “Scarlett, this is my mother, Athena.”
Scarlett held out her hand, and Athena accepted it. It wasn’t a cordial exchange, but she wasn’t openly hostile. She turned to be introduced to the taller
sister. Her eyes were dark and full of anger, and she held herself stiffly. “Scarlett, this is Thea.”
Scarlett extended her hand, but the other woman made no move to accept it. “This is a beautiful mosaic,” she said, faltering as those angry eyes continued to drill into her.
“You are not worthy to stand upon it,” Thea snapped, earning a sharp rebuke in Greek from her brother.
The last sister, who could only be Lydia, was also openly hostile. Scarlett didn’t bother to offer her hand, and she said nothing. After a tense silence, Lydia suddenly burst out, “How can you bring her here to our home, Carter? After what her father did? How can you bring such a traitor into this house?” With an angry sniff, Lydia turned on her heel and stomped away, quickly followed by Thea. Only Athena remained, and she was standing quietly, watchful.
Finally she spoke. “I did not know you were bringing a guest,” she said to Carter before turning to Scarlett, “So it will take a little time to arrange a room for you, Ms. Terini.”
“Please call me Scarlett.”
After a brief hesitation, Athena nodded once, “That would be for the best, I’m sure,” she said cryptically. “Let us have refreshments on the patio while we wait for your room.”
Scarlett followed Carter and his mother through the house, as Darren brought up the rear. Athena disappeared inside to order the room prepared before reappearing with a tray of fruit juice and biscuits. Conversation was stilted as they waited for the time to pass. “What do you do, Scarlett?” Athena asked as she refilled her glass.
“I’m a student. And you, Mrs. Braxton?”
“You may call me Athena,” she said. “Thanks to my son, I am a lady of leisure.” She gave Carter a proud smile.
“As you deserve to be,” Carter said quickly. “Mama is also active with several charities and often goes into Athens for social functions or charitable causes. Lydia is following in her footsteps.”
A maid appeared to let Athena know that the room was ready, so they went into the house and she took Scarlett into a spare room. It was not very large, but had a bed, a dresser, and a small attached bathroom, making it more than adequate.
To Scarlett’s surprise, Athena closed the door behind her and turned to Scarlett, looking very serious. “I must apologize for the reactions of my daughters, and for myself. I’m sure you can understand how shocked we were to hear your name, but that does not excuse our rudeness.”
“Why do you hate my family?” asked Scarlett, letting her confusion show.
With a great deal of surprise, Athena raised her brows. “You do not know?” Scarlett shook her head, waiting for an explanation that didn’t come. “Carter will tell you when the time is right I’m sure,” said Athena, looking uncomfortable as she opened the door. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Dinner will be at nine, and it’s your decision if you want to dress up. I recommend cool and casual in this heat,” she added with a smile as she left.
Sighing, Scarlett unpacked her things, wondering at the angry reception from his family. What was the missing piece in this mystery? They obviously all knew something she did not, and she figured it must be connected with her father. She had to find out what was going on.
10
Carter