If that was the case, Stewart better be the villain. If Gabriel had orchestrated this stunt, she was going to be even more heartbroken. Pulling out her phone, she dialed first Gabriel, then Stewart when the former still didn’t answer. She had no luck getting through.
As soon as she arrived at her destination, she would figure out her next step. If this was Stewart’s gambit, she would find another way to get in contact with Gabriel. Perhaps the queen would help.
With nothing to do for the moment, Olivia stared out the window as the car descended from the mountains and drove down into a seaside town. She’d never visited any of the Greek Ionian Islands before and acknowledged the scenery in this area was spectacular. At least Stewart had been kind enough to find a gorgeous place to squirrel her away. As the car navigated through town, she glimpsed the whitewashed houses with their flower-draped balconies and wondered if her final destination was one of the lovely hotels overlooking the harbor. Her spirits sank as they passed each one and came to a stop a short distance from the waterfront.
They were met by a handsome swarthy Greek in his midfifties who flashed blinding white teeth in a mischievous grin. Seeing his good humor restored her own. She followed him along the cement quay, lined with chartered sailboats, believing that there had to be a happy ending to all this adventuring.
“I am Thasos,” he said as he helped her onto a luxurious thirty-four-foot cruiser.
“Where are we going, Thasos?” she questioned, accepting the glass of wine offered, glad for it and the tray of Greek food that awaited her.
“Kioni.”
Another name that rang no bells. With a sigh, Olivia munched on bread, dolmas, cheese and olives while the boat sped out of the harbor. If she’d thought the water had appeared beautiful from the coast, it was nothing compared to the sparkling blue that surrounded her now. A short distance away, another island loomed, a great green hulk adorned with olive trees and cypress. Few houses dotted the mountainsides. She would have worried about being in such a remote area, but the bustle of the town they’d just left behind told her she hadn’t been brought to the ends of the earth.
After polishing off a second glass of wine and taking the edge off her hunger, she stared at the coastline as it passed. Ninety minutes on the water brought them to another harbor, this one shaped like a horseshoe with three windmills on one side of its mouth.
“Kioni,” Thasos explained with another wide grin.
Olivia sighed, wondering who was going to meet her here. Could she expect another taxi ride? Perhaps the plan was to keep her moving until she cried uncle. While Thasos maneuvered the boat toward the cement seawall that circled the harbor, Olivia gazed at this town. Smaller and less busy than Fiskardo, it nevertheless had the same charm. A few houses clustered close to the waterfront, but most clung to the side of the mountain that rose above this scenic harbor.
Everywhere she looked vivid purple and magenta bougainvillea vines brightened the whitewashed buildings or arched over the steps that led to the homes perched on the hillside. Silence descended as Thasos killed the motor and the light breeze brought the clank of cowbells to her ears. But she doubted the steep terrain was suitable for cows. More likely the bells she heard belonged to goats.
She stepped off the boat, helped by Thasos and another man, who claimed her bag for the next part of her journey. Olivia followed him for about thirty steps before she spied a tall, familiar figure coming down the street toward her.
Gabriel.
His white pants, pale blue shirt and navy blazer gave him the look of casual elegance. Her heart jumped in her chest as the wind tousled his hair. He slid his sunglasses up on his head as he approached and gave her a gentle smile.
He wasn’t in Italy proposing to the daughter of an Italian count. He was here and from the expression on his face, he was very glad to see her.
Thirteen
The unguarded expression on Olivia’s face when she spotted him made Gabriel the happiest man on earth. He was her white knight come to rescue her from the dragons. The fact that he was towing a donkey instead of a black charger hadn’t made an impact on her yet.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. “You’re supposed to be in Italy.”
He shook his head. “Italy? Where did you get that idea?”
“Stewart said you had gone to do something that would impact future generations of Alessandros. I assumed you meant to...propose to the daughter of Count Verreos.” She touched the corner of her eye where a trace of moisture had gathered and a ragged exhale escaped her.
“No. I came straight here.”
“Does Stewart know where you are?”
“No. I knew he wouldn’t approve of what I intended to do.”
“That’s why I don’t understand what are you doing here and why you dragged me all the way to Greece by plane, across an island by car and now here by boat.”
“I needed some time to prepare.” He grinned. “And I thought you might be less likely to argue with me if you were tired.”
“Argue about what?” she demanded, her gaze drawn toward the small donkey that stood beside him, ears flickering lazily forward and back. “And what are you doing with that?”
Gabriel patted the donkey’s neck. “It’s traditional for Greek brides to ride donkeys to their weddings.”
“Bride? What are you talking about...?” Her voice trailed off as she noticed the donkey came equipped with a riding pad covered with flowers. “You can’t be serious.”
She sounded aghast, but hope glowed in her blue eyes.
“I’m utterly serious. The church and the priest are waiting for us. All you need to do is hop on.” Seeing she wasn’t fully on board with his plan, he caught her around the waist and pulled her body flush with his, taking care to treat her gently. “Marry me.” He drew his knuckles down her cheek. “Please. I can’t live without you.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “You love me?”
“I love you. I adore you. You’re my world.” He peered down at her in surprise. “Haven’t you figured that out by now?”
She took his hand and drew it away from her skin. Her grip was tight enough to make him wince.
“What of your parents’ wishes? Have you considered the barrage of negative opinions you’ll face when we return home?”
“None of that matters. No one matters but us. I have two brothers, both of whom are capable of getting married and having children. There’s no reason why I have to be the one who fathers the next generation of Sherdana royalty. It was different when my father became king. He was the only direct male descendant. And besides, I think it’s time my brothers took on a little royal responsibility.”
A crowd of townspeople and tourists were gathering on the narrow street, drawn by the novelty of a decked out donkey and the argument between Gabriel and Olivia. The late-afternoon sun bathed the town in golden light, softening the scenery. The breeze off the harbor was gentle against Olivia’s skin, soothing her anxiety.
“Neither one of them is going to be happy.”
“I don’t care. It’s my turn to be a little selfish. We’re getting married. Now. Today. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
That he was ready to marry her despite her inability to give him children thrilled her, and she could no longer wait to share her news.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“That you love me?”
“No.”
“You don’t?” he teased.
“Of course I do. But that’s not what I need to tell you.”
“But don’t you think it’s an appropriate thing to tell your groom on your wedding day?”
“Very well. I love you.”
“When you say it like that, I’m not sure I believe you.”
She leaned forward and slid her fingers into his hair, drawing him close for a slow, deep kiss. “I love you.”
His response was almost a purr. “Much better.”
“Now are you ready to hear what I have to say?”
“Yes.”