If she could just meet the woman, maybe she could ignore some of that stiff Greek pride that apparently ran rampant in her mother’s family and tell Eleani Konstantinos about her daughter’s death, and the last words her mother had said—how she wished she could have reconciled with her parents. It had been too late by the time Damaris Andropolous had uttered those words. She had died two days later.
Sara wanted to carry them back, heal a breach that had split the family for almost thirty years. She had been working more than a year to achieve that aim to fulfill the promise she had made to her mother just before she died.
Was the end really in sight?
Looking back, the best thing her mother had ever done was insist Sara learn Greek. Most of their family friends in London had been of Greek descent, a close-knit community of Greek expats who had loved to celebrate special occasions together. Her friend Stacy swore she loved the English lifestyle more than anything, yet she, too, had studied their ancestors’ language. Sara knew her fluency in Greek had landed her this job, she was sure of it. She had had no difficulty in adapting to life at the resort. It was a delightful change from the rainy weather she’d left in London and she’d thrown herself into her job with determination that had obviously paid off.
As she put the pots and bowls she’d used to prepare the evening meal in the sink to soak, Sara thought about how she’d approach her grandmother—if she got the chance. Stacy had been a font of information, relying on the gossip of her own cousins who still lived in Greece. Sara’s grandfather had died several years ago, and Eleani had remarried Spiros Konstantinos, head of the legendary Konstantinos Shipping empire. Sara had scrambled to find out as much information as she could about the family, only to come up with very little.
They obviously used a good deal of the money they made ensuring privacy.
“I’m late. Sorry. Won’t happen again,” Stefano said as he swooped up the tray of desserts. The steward was late at least once a day—and always claiming it wouldn’t happen again. She had gotten used to it and if Nikos Konstantinos didn’t care, she certainly didn’t.
“Looks delicious, as usual. I’ll get it up to the guests.” He talked so fast Sara sometimes had trouble understanding him. She made sure he had all he needed for the guests, then began preparing a tray for the crew.
When Stefano returned, he leaned against the door and let out a long breath. “So the daughter is turning up her charm. I suspect this is a cruise to ensure the lovely Gina Fregulia and Nikos have a chance to get to know each other better. Her father is hinting for marriage, you know. And it doesn’t seem as if Nikos is resisting at all.”
“Now how would you know that?” Sara asked as she worked. She silently urged him to continue. The more she knew about the Konstantinos family, the better able she’d be to deal with them, she thought.
“It’s no secret. The man’s thirty-four years old. Past time to marry and start a family, else who will inherit all the money?”
Sara looked up at that. “You’re thirty-five. Are you married?”
Stefano laughed. “It’s different for me. I get to see beautiful women every day. Sail the Aegean on every cruise. Maybe I will settle down one day. But I don’t have two fortunes to leave when I die.”
“Two?”
“Nikos didn’t follow his father and grandfather into shipping. But he’s still the sole heir after his father. He’s making a small fortune in his own right with the resort and all the collateral businesses. Wish I had some of that money.”
“I’m sure we all do. Actually, we get some by doing our work properly,” Sara said mischievously, smiling at the steward.
“I meant, have it to spend without working. It’ll be interesting to see how the relationship between Miss Fregulia and the boss pans out.”
“Do you think it won’t?” Sara asked, curious. She longed to ask a dozen questions, but didn’t want to give rise to suspicion.
Stefano gave a shrug. “The way I hear it, Nikos loved his first fiancée. I never knew the full story of the breakup, but for a long time, he had the temper of a bear. Arranged marriages are a bit passé for those of us in the regular world, but in the world of huge fortunes, not so uncommon. I think Nikos Konstantinos will marry for the good of the resort, and to provide heirs for the fortunes. The Fregulias are big in wine in Italy. Their fortunes surely match those of Nikos. At least he doesn’t worry about being married for his money. I predict a match made in business.”
“An oracle,” Sara said, finishing the last touch on the desserts for the crew. “I wish them happy.” A happy Nikos meant a more amiable man if she ever had to call on him for access to her grandmother.
“I expect Gina Fregulia will be happy if she gets her hands on Nikos’s millions.”
“Thought you said she was wealthy.”
“Her father is, subtle difference. Nikos will be the prize,” Stefano said.
Sara shook her head. Stefano called their boss by his first name around the staff, but she knew he’d have infinitely more respect when in the presence of Nikos Konstantinos. At least she thought he would. She had yet to meet the man. Didn’t care much one way or another if she ever met him, as long as his yacht docked on the family island at some time while she was still aboard.
“The captain won’t be having dessert. He’s returned to the helm to relieve the mate. This looks nice for the crew,” Stefano said as he lifted the second, less elaborate, tray full of delicious pastries.
“We should have our food as nicely presented as the guests,” Sara said, putting the finishing garnishment on the last plate.
Sara followed Stefano to the aft deck where a table had been set up for the crew to use. Those already seated had left her a place at the end since she didn’t normally join them until dessert. Except for Stefano, the rest of the men were around her mother’s age. They had probably sailed on the Konstantinos yacht for years.
Sara relaxed slightly. Her duties for the day were completed. The gentle breeze that swept by as the yacht plowed through the sea made it most pleasant to be outside. It was a cool relief from the hot kitchen. The stars were growing brilliant against the darkening sky. Only the running lights from the yacht and the illumination spilling from the salon disturbed the velvet darkness.
Once she’d finished eating, she considered relaxing on one of the loungers and just studying the sky. With little ambient light, the stars seemed to multiply. She saw more each night than she’d ever seen in London.
They’d be stopping at anchor soon. The Aegean rocked the boat gently each night. She loved it. Maybe she should consider looking for a permanent berth on some ship once her task had been completed.
“Thank you,” one of the crew said as he rose. “It’s good.”
One by one the others rose and thanked her. Sara was beaming when Stefano left to clean the kitchen. He’d removed all the dishes and utensils, leaving the table bare, except for her glass of water.
One of the men went to sit near the aft rail, gazing out across the sea. The others left, presumably to other tasks or for an early bedtime.
Sara enjoyed the night air for a short time, then went back to the galley to check on preparations for breakfast. Once she had that done, she’d call it a night.
She had been longer on the aft deck than she thought. The galley was gleaming. Stefano had finished and vanished. She would have enjoyed some company in the quiet space while she mentally reviewed the checklist for the ingredients she would need to bake individual