enough in Greece. And families always liked to keep
their money in safe hands.
“Marc darling,” drawled Marie-Louise, “give me a
cigarette. I’ve run out.”
He brought out his cigarette case and held it out to
her. She took one and put it into her bright red mouth.
Marc flicked open his cigarette lighter and held it to her
cigarette, bending down. She took his hand in hers and
held it steady, gazing up at him with provocative eyes.
“Thanks, angel,” she murmured, leaning back. Marc
straightened. “Now you must excuse me. I am expecting
a phone call from New York.”
“Angel, you’ll kill yourself,” complained Marie-Louise.
“Work and no play, you know. You don’t want to be a dull
boy, do you?” Her lashes flickered teasingly. “Why don’t
you relax and enjoy life?”
“I cannot afford to,” he said, lifting his shoulders in a
shrug. “Money, like children, needs constant attention.”
“But so do I, my darling,” she said, opening her eyes
wide. “I am going to compete like mad, Marc. Business
must be prepared for a battle.”
“With me as the prize?” he asked lightly, grinning.
“Of course!” she said softly, “and a very valuable one. I
will not share your attention with anything, especially
not a telephone!”
Marc laughed. As he walked towards the door he
passed Kate. Their eyes met. Hers were deliberately
blank. He gave her a mocking, derisive flicker of a smile.
She understood what he meant without needing it put
into words. That is how a feminine woman behaves, he