Greek Tycoon, Inexperienced Mistress

Brave words, Lindy acknowledged after Ben’s departure. In truth she rarely did anything at weekends that would disrupt her time with Atreus, and he and Ben had not hit it off at their one and only meeting. Her mood had been buoyant before Ben’s arrival, because it was a Friday and she would be with Atreus again in just a few hours. But Ben’s comments had hit home hard. He had spoilt her day by making her question her relationship with Atreus.

As a rule Lindy lived from weekend to weekend, and nothing in between really mattered. It was just time to be got through before she saw Atreus again. Until Ben had cruelly thrust that wretched photo beneath her nose she had managed to pretty much ignore the reality that Atreus inhabited another world entirely when he was away from her. Was that because she had stopped buying newspapers and magazines after seeing Atreus in print with another female companion?

That was a tough question, and one that Lindy couldn’t answer. Atreus had long since explained the reality that those acquaintances were of a social rather than intimate nature. The more she got to know Atreus the more she had grown to trust him, and the affair that she had once assumed would swiftly burn out had lasted and deepened.

In fact Lindy had lived on a high of happiness for almost eighteen months. Atreus phoned her almost every day. And he genuinely cared about her. He did. He might not show it in an emotional manner, for he was not a man given to issuing constant compliments or verbal reassurances, but he certainly demonstrated his concern in other ways. Hadn’t he flown back from Greece when he’d learned that she was in hospital because she’d been knocked off her bike by a car? Hadn’t she wakened to find him seated by her bed in the middle of the night? Hadn’t she come home to find a brand-new hatchback car waiting to glide into the parking space being cut out of the lawn that bounded the drive for her benefit?

They had had their first real argument over that car. She had refused to accept it, and he had ranted about how dangerous the bike was, until the dissension between them had reached such a peak that she’d given way out of a genuine fear of losing him. The only other bone of contention between them was his ongoing refusal to accept rent from her as one of his tenants.

‘How do you expect me to accept your money?’ Atreus had demanded angrily. ‘You work long hours to make a living. Do you think I don’t know that? Why should you pay rent to me when I have more money than I could spend in one lifetime?’

That debate was still continuing in the background, for while Lindy doggedly continued to ensure that the rent was paid every month, Atreus continued to have the money returned to her bank account. When she stopped to wonder what the estate manager must think of the whole stupid business, she just cringed. All too many people were well aware of her involvement with the owner of the Chantry estate. It had been naive of her to imagine it could be otherwise. She had even run into the vicar of her church one afternoon at Chantry House. Atreus had innumerable staff as well. People knew, but minded their own business; it had taken Ben to confront her head-on. But what right had he to talk? Ben who, as far as she knew, had never once had a serious relationship with a woman.

Around six that evening Lindy came down the stairs with her weekend bag and her dogs. She was wearing a well-cut grey pencil skirt with a fine purple sweater, and black patent shoes with high heels. Since she had met Atreus she had gradually transformed her wardrobe and her appearance. Newly found confidence in her body had persuaded her to experiment with more figure-flattering garments. Her old shapeless skirts and loose sweaters had gone to the church jumble sale. Her hair had been styled from a haphazard mop into a sleek bouncy mane that framed her face, and she had rediscovered make-up.

But if Atreus had noticed a single change while she polished up her image he hadn’t mentioned it, Lindy acknowledged wryly. Nor had her improved looks given him the urge to take her out and show her off. Why was she so contrary, though? In spite of her having once told him that she didn’t want to be seen out in public with him, she now craved such an invitation. But she was not about to ask Atreus any stupid questions about the future. She was secure and happy as she was…

Twenty minutes later the limo drew up outside and Lindy, with her dogs at her heels, climbed in. The luxury vehicle whisked them up to the big house. The chauffeur opened the door and sidestepped the dogs to greet her. Phoebe Carstairs only worked weekdays. Every weekend a French chef and several Greek menservants came down in advance of Atreus’s arrival and took charge of the household to ensure the assiduous level of service and attention to detail that the tycoon expected from his staff. There was lightness in Lindy’s step and a bubbling anticipation inside her. Following the path of Dmitri’s helpful hand, she headed straight for the library, which Atreus used as an office…