CHAPTER 1
«How long will we be there, Nicholas?
«About two weeks, my love.
«A couple of weeks? That long?
«Yes. Nicholas was amused by the slightly worried, yet willing, expression on his beautiful fiancée’s face.
«And my intention for this stay in Greece is to introduce you to my family.
«The powerful and illustrious Theodakis family. Are you really sure they’ll react to your declaration?
Nicholas took her in his arms.
«You shouldn’t worry too much, my dear. Everyone already knows you from my e-mails and countless phone calls. They even know your face. The only thing they don’t know about you is your voice.
«Didn’t you send them the video of our vacation in the Bahamas?
Nicholas Theodakis shrugged. His gray eyes sparkled as he gazed at his beloved.
«As if I’d share something so intimate and jealously guarded in my memory and safe with others.
Touched by this simple but sincere confession, the young girl smiled tenderly at him.
«I love you, Nicholas.
«I love you too, my love.
The young woman tipped her head back to receive the kiss of the man she loved.
Thinking back to how they had met, a tender smile came to her full lips. Her mother was right to think that the man who would love her would be exceptional.
Not only did her fiancé Nicholas Theodakis come from a very wealthy and famous Greek family, but he himself was a famous professional Formula 1 racer. He had already won several races and was adored by the general public. At just thirty years of age, the young racer was already in possession of an enviable personal fortune. What’s more, his inherited good looks, mixed with his mother’s English blood, had made several famous brands happy, sponsoring him and using his name on their products.
It was at one of his countless photo shoots for a famous brand of men’s deodorant, held in the famous capital of London, that Nicholas had met his English fiancée.
She was a professional fashion photographer. At just twenty-two, she’d already hung up a different big contract. She was chosen, after much hard work, to photograph the famous racing driver.
At their first meeting, the young photographer wore a fabulously dark green silk shirt, a real chanelle, a folly she’d treated herself to without regret, black pants streaked with silver threads and glittering buttons, beautifully sown on the fine fabric, the whole complemented by reasonably high suede pumps. She’d pulled her opulent brunette hair up into a neat, high bun, which made her look even more haughty. As usual, on seeing a beautiful and highly desirable young woman, Nicholas had pounced and undertaken an assiduous and irresistible course towards her.
But quickly realizing that the girl was totally different from the sublime but overly easy-going young women they usually rubbed shoulders with, he immediately changed the way he approached her.
He loved her deep sense of honor and her unshakeable principles. So, just to be able to befriend her, Nicholas had made an admirable effort to forget all the other girls and drunken evenings he’d previously spent with her. Quite a feat for him, being what he was, spoiled and cherished from birth, and all too used to getting everything he wanted.
But one evening, at the end of their usual photo sessions, after a thousand proofs of sincerity and repentance, the young girl finally agreed to spend an evening with the handsome racing driver.
«So you really accept, Princess?
«Yes.
Nicholas almost jumped for joy, and took her in his arms, hugging her passionately to the point of suffocation.
When one of the assistants entered the room, she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight the couple were offering. Her eyes were filled with beauty at the sublime scene the two young men offered her. He, a blond-haired, gray-eyed man with the body of an Adonis, clasping her in his strong, protective arms, and she, a fragile young girl with fiery hair that beautifully framed her face with its pure, perfect oval, where two large, celestial blue eyes gazed with clarity at the face of the famous sportsman. Her delicate body, long and supple, bending gracefully in the man’s hands, a rare flower with an ethereal appearance, but also emanating from her an indomitable will and uncommon courage, they were magnificent.
Once seated at an intimate table at the Ritz, Nicholas began to question the girl.
«So, to begin with, tell me your full name.
The girl laughed.
«You already know it.
«But I’ve never heard it from you.
«Then I’ll really have to clean up this mess. Ambre Victoire Connors.
«A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.
«Thank you, sir.
Nicholas thought for a moment.
«So, according to your name, you have French blood in your veins.
«Yes, my paternal grandmother is a Parisian.
«Does she still live there?
«Yes! I visit her whenever I can. And she spoils me since I’m her only granddaughter.
«I understand that we wouldn’t want another one after we had you. You are so beautiful Amber.
«Thank you for the compliments. It’s true that I’m very spoiled. But maybe I would have preferred to have brothers and sisters to play with, share secrets and bicker.
I have lots of friends, of course, but even so, I’ve noticed that these ties can’t replace those of blood.
«You shouldn’t worry about that. And when you marry me, we’ll give our eldest son as many brothers and sisters as you’d like.
«Eldest son, not child. It’s obvious that you’re the eldest son yourself, cherished and spoiled by your illustrious family, and that you think a man is better than a woman.
«That’s how I was raised,” he replied without remorse.
Amber laughed at his arrogance, but she was sure she saw a deep shadow pass over his face when she spoke of his position as eldest in his family.
«And so,” she continued after a short silence, during which the waiter deftly placed their order in front of them. I believe you have a sister.
«Yes, a very lively and stubborn little sister who’s driving my parents completely mad. I think you’ll meet her one day. And I’ll bet the two of you will get along in a way that only leading ladies can.
Amber laughed again.
