Dark Enigma Read online

  CHAPTER ONE

  Carey had never been more nervous in her life before, and yet whenever Niki looked at her with his enquiring dark eyes she somehow managed to smile reassuringly. It wasn't easy, but she felt she had to keep up an air of confidence, because Niki was only six years old and his whole world had been turned upside down.

  She hadn't yet dared anticipate how she was going to break the news to him that when they reached the end of their journey she was to hand him over to strangers and then vanish from his life for good. For four of his six years she had been the most important person in his life, for his mother hadn't the time to give him the care and attention that bringing up a small boy required. The parting was going to be hard, and the nearer the moment got, the more Carey dreaded it.

  Aliki Karamalis, Niki's mother, had been such a vivid and volatile character that it was difficult to believe she had simply ceased to exist. She had seemed too vital to have died so young and Carey still had difficulty accepting it. Aliki had been born in Greece of a well-to-do family and had left home with the hope of making a career for herself in England as an actress, but within a few months of her arrival her stage ambitions had been forgotten when she fell in love with an Englishman almost twice her age.

  He was a married man and there was no question of a divorce, so Aliki had subdued her not inconsiderable pride and taken the only alternative, even though it had meant cutting herself off from her family. That had been hard, but she had stuck to her decision and never attempted to contact them again, and when Niki, her son, had been born less than a year after the affair began, her family

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  were never informed. By the time he was two years old Aliki had decided that the combined roles of mistress and mother did not work for her, and she had counted herself lucky to get someone like Carey Gordon to look after him.

  Carey was small and fair and very pretty, a complete contrast to Aliki's dark sultriness, and yet the two had eventually become close friends, despite their very different life-styles. Carey had been at her bedside when Aliki died of pneumonia only weeks before her twenty-ninth birthday; no one else had come, and it was to Carey that she entrusted her son.

  'Take him to my family in Greece, please, Carey,' she had begged. 'I have written a letter for Dimitri which you can take with you, and I know he will care for him even though I have brought disgrace on them. He may have sons of his own now, I do not know, but he will take Niki for my sake; I know my Dimitri/

  It was an appeal that was impossible to resist, even though the idea of travelling all that way turned Carey's knees to water; she had never been abroad before, and Greece seemed an awfully long way to go. She had put a lot of thought into the letter she sent Dimitri Karamalis, for one thing because it wasn't easy writing to a complete stranger and explaining the situation as well as announcing their imminent arrival.

  It had been necessary to act quickly, for now that Aliki was gone, so was her income, and Niki's school fees alone were more than her month's salary had been. If Aliki's family were willing to support the boy, they were hardly likely to do the same for her and she would need to look for another post as soon as possible, although it was something she didn't want to think about too much at present.

  She had explained as best she could that they were going to Greece to see his mother's family, but she didn't think Niki fully appreciated what was to happen, and she had not yet summoned the nerve to tell him the plain

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  truth. So far he had enjoyed all the hustle and bustle of travelling, and if he was a bit bewildered by it all he didn't complain but chattered happily to her as he pointed out the different things that took his eye.

  They were coming in to land at Athens airport, and while Niki shrilled happily about the ground coming up to meet them, Carey again felt the now familiar flutter of panic at the prospect ahead. Everything looked so incredibly bright and beautiful from above, and she was dazzled by the impression of white buildings and green hillsides so that for a moment her heart beat with a different kind of excitement.

  The sun was hot and flamboyant, quite unlike the mellow English sun, and she leaned down to look past Niki, out of the window. 'It won't be long now, 5 she told him, and briefly he turned from the window and frowned curiously.

  'We here?' he asked as the plane rolled to a stop and the engines cut out.

  'We're here,' Carey confirmed. Her legs were shaking and she felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation and apprehension as she got to her feet and reached over to help Niki from his seat. 'Hold tight to me,' she told him as they followed in the wake of the other passengers, and he needed no second bidding for they were surrounded by strange faces.

  'Where is this?' he asked as they stood shortly afterwards in the reception area.

  'Athens, darling, where Mummy was born.'

  Perhaps it hadn't been very wise to mention his mother at that point, but she was feeling anxious about their being met. There had been no time to wait for a reply from Dimitri Karamalis, so she could only assume that someone would be coming to meet them, and she looked around anxiously. All Niki's possessions were in the two suitcases alongside her, and her own things, as many as she would need for a few days stay while things were sorted out, were

  in another, smaller case at her feet, and she was beginning to have the awful suspicion that no one was coming.

  It was so warm that she wished she had worn something more light and summery, but the English summer had been nowhere near as warm, and the blue linen dress with half-sleeves had seemed ideal. Niki was beginning to show signs of restlessness in the anti-climax of arrival, and Carey took note of his out-thrust bottom lip anxiously. He wasn't normally badly behaved, but he must be tired and probably hungry too.

  'Why are we waiting here, Carey?' he wanted to know, and she smiled encouragingly.

  He was a small, chubby boy and rather too pretty for a boy, but his mother had assured her that he would grow up to be handsome like all the Karamalis, and she was probably right. Tor your uncle to come and fetch us,' she told him. 'Or maybe he'll send someone else, but someone will be coming for us very soon now.'

  'Uncle Dimitri?'

  Carey noted thankfully that he coped very well with the unfamiliar name, and she nodded. 'That's right, darling—Uncle Dimitri.'

  'Will you accept Uncle Mitso instead?' Carey swung round quickly to see who had spoken, and found herself facing a tall, dark and very good-looking young man, only a few years older than herself, and therefore not Dimitri. 'Miss Gordon?' He beamed her a sparkling-white smile, and Carey nodded a little dazedly. 'I am Mitso Karamalis—welcome to Greece!'

  Aliki's youngest brother; she would have known him for a Karamalis because he was very like Aliki, but his manner was slightly disconcerting in the present situation. He had thick black curling hair and dark eyes that looked at her with a glint of impudence as well as appreciation, and he took her hand when she offered it, but raised it to his lips instead of simply shaking it.

  'And this is—Niki, yes?'

  Niki shook hands solemnly, but he frowned instead of smiling, obviously puzzled by the different name, and his big round eyes watched the man warily. 'Not Uncle Dimitri?' he asked, and Mitso Karamalis laughed.

  'No, little one, I am Mitso.' He was a bold and uninhibited character and in her mind Carey tried to imagine him condemning his sister for her unconventional love affair, and couldn't. Mitso Karamalis didn't look the kind of man to disapprove of the situation, but rather as if he might indulge in it himself. 'Dimitri leaves such mundane matters as meeting planes to others,' he explained in very strongly accented English, 'and since I am the least important member of the household then I am here to meet you.' His expressive dark eyes took stock of her
with a bold intensity and he smiled broadly. 'In this instance I am very pleased to have been—delegated,' he told her in a voice that was surely meant to send little shivers of sensation along her spine. 'I have a car outside, Miss Gordon, if you will please come with me.'

  In a matter of minutes the suitcases were stowed in the boot of a huge black Mercedes and Niki was installed in the back seat, while Carey sat beside Mitso Karamalis. 'Where we going now?' Niki wanted to know, and their guide turned his head briefly and gave him a broad wink.

  'To find your Uncle Dimitri,' he told him, then immediately gave his attention to Carey once more. 'I am sure you will like Greece, Miss Gordon, it is very beautiful.'

  'So I've heard.'

  In fact she wasn't very impressed with their present venue as they drove through some rather run-down suburbs, but Mitso Karamalis was shaking his head. 'Do not judge by what you see here,' he told her. 'When we have travelled a little distance you will see what I mean. You are going to enjoy living in my country, Miss Gordon.'

  It wasn't the time to tell him that she wasn't staying with Niki, but she wanted no misunderstandings and Niki

  was pretty well occupied at the moment with watching the traffic and the mass of people in the hot, sunny streets. Hoping that Mitso Karamalis would do the same, she kept her voice as low as she could and still be heard. Tm

  sure I would, Mr Karamalis, but ' She gave a brief

  checking glance over her shoulder. Tm not staying in Greece; at least for no more than a day or two until Niki is settled in. Oh, I don't intend imposing myself on your family, naturally, I'll find a room somewhere.'

  Mitso Karamalis gave her a long look from the corner of his eyes, then shrugged. 'You will find that it is all arranged, Miss Gordon. You are to stay at the villa, Dimitri has arranged it so.'

  So Dimitri had arranged it so. From the sound of him Dimitri Karamalis was a man who called the tune and expected others to dance to it, but Carey preferred to make her own plans. Staying under the same roof with Niki would only prolong the agony of the eventual parting, and it was going to be hard enough as it was. If she was too close at hand he was going to cling to her among all those strange faces, and she had to harden her heart for both their sakes.

  4 1 don't think Mr Karamalis quite understands the position,' she said, and passed an anxious tongue over her lips before going on. 'It's very kind of him to suggest I stay for a while, but I have to go back, and the longer I'm here the worse it will be.'

  For a moment a glimpse of compassion showed in the bold dark eyes, and a hand pressed over hers. 'That is understood,' he assured her. 'That is why Dimitri wishes you to remain.'

  'Also I have to look for a new post very soon,' Carey insisted. 'I can't afford to stay too long, to be perfectly honest, Mr Karamalis.'

  His broad shoulders shrugged carelessly and the full lower lip pursed as if in doubt. 'Best to tell it to Dimitri,' he suggested.

  Despite their efforts at keeping their voices down the gist of what they were saying eventually dawned on Niki in the back seat, and he stood just behind Carey with one hand on her shoulder, his dark eyes big and anxious as he sought reassurance. 'You're coming too to Uncle Dimitri's, Carey? You must come too.'

  She glanced at the man beside her but saw only a certain satisfaction on his face, and wondered if he had any idea of the spot she was in. 'It seems you have little choice, eh?' he suggested.

  Carey reached for the hand that rested on her shoulder and squeezed the small fingers reassuringly. 'Of course I'm coming too, Niki,' she said, and felt somehow as if she had burned her bridges with those few words.

  It was getting on towards evening when they drove the last few kilometres, and Carey had to agree that Greece was indeed beautiful. It was one of the most fertile areas in the country, Mitso assured her, and when she looked at the rolling hills covered in olive trees and grapevines and orchards it wasn't hard to believe.

  'It's beautiful,' Carey said softly, and didn't realise she had spoken aloud until Mitso Karamalis half turned his head and smiled.

  'Did I not say so?' he asked.

  'I'm a complete novice where foreign travel is concerned,' she confessed. 'I've never been anywhere overseas before.'

  'Then you must learn all about Greece while you are here,' Mitso told her. 'I shall give myself the pleasure of showing you, Miss Gordon.'

  Which sounded all very nice, Carey thought ruefully, but she wasn't there to take a holiday whatever this handsome Greek believed. If she didn't find herself another job very soon she would be in dire straits, and apart from refunding her fare she did not imagine Dimitri Karamalis would consider himself any deeper in her debt.

  Choosing to ignore the suggestion rather than argue about it, she took a different line. 'Aliki told me quite a lot about it at various times,' she said, and added, 'I was very fond of Aliki.'

  There was a brooding sadness in the dark eyes for a moment, and he shook his head slowly. 'We loved her,' he said, and Carey could not help asking herself what kind of love it was that turned its back on an errant sister and daughter. Turning the car into a tree-shaded, narrow private road he brightened again and pointed ahead. 'Did Aliki also tell you of our home?' he asked. 'We are arrived, Miss Gordon.'

  Carey's heart gave a sudden lurch of panic as she looked along the narrow winding road ahead, and she gripped her handbag a little more tightly as the prospect she had dreaded so much loomed ever nearer. But it was beautiful, she could not ignore that even though she shook with nervousness and her stomach felt churningly queasy.

  The sky had turned to a glowing gold and giided the hills behind the villa with a Midas touch that also touched the glimpses of white walls that showed between the trees. All along the road on both sides grew thick borders of orange and lemon trees and in front of them a mass of flowering shrubs, most of which she didn't attempt to put a name to. Jasmine, hibiscus and oleander, she recognised, and in the warmth of the evening sun the perfume from them was as heady as wine.

  Then they were facing the house itself suddenly. Passing through a row of guardian cypresses the glimpses she had caught earlier became a reality, and she caught her breath. It was huge and dazzlingly white with a row of tali, fluted columns in front so that it put her in mind of a Greek temple, and the gardens surrounding it grew with the colour and profusion of a garden of Eden.

  All the same trees and shrubs that had lined the road and a lot more besides, as well as a mass of bedding flowers, rioted in every direction. No one, Carey consoled herself

  as they drove up to the house, could be anything but kind and compassionate living in surroundings like these.

  When Mitso braked the car to a halt she was still staring as if she could not believe her eyes, and she automatically accepted his hand to help her out of the car. Only when she felt Niki's hand in hers did she bring herself quickly' back to earth and smile at him. 'We're there?' he asked, and she nodded.

  'Yes, we're there, darling. Isn't this a lovely house?'

  Niki gave a curious little shrug that was entirely Greek. He wasn't old enough yet to be influenced by trees and flowers and beautiful architecture, and he looked up sharply when Mitso Karamalis slipped a hand under Carey's arm with easy familiarity. Together they all three climbed the white marble steps that led to a door standing wide open as if in welcome, and Carey's heart at least prayed that there would be a welcome for them.

  The outside of the house had impressed her, but the inside dazzled her, for the reception hall they walked into was even more reminiscent of a Greek temple. There were slim Doric columns supporting a high ceiling, and a floor tiled in a pattern of blue and white, and all around, in shallow niches in the walls stood white marble figures in classic Greek dress. A wide staircase rose from the centre of the hall and several doors leading off suggested that this was the heart and hub of the whole villa.

  Carey had to admit to being overawed as she followed Mitso Karamalis across the blue and white tiled floor, and she could feel Niki
's hand in hers gripping tightly as he trotted along beside her. 'Carey.' He tugged at her hand to attract her attention, and when she looked at him, smiling automatically, she noticed how tired and heavy-eyed he looked. 'Carey, I don't like it here much, can't we go home?'

  His uncle stopped and looked down at him, and Carey noticed the speculation that showed in those bold, impudent eyes for a moment. Half-smiling, he shook his head

  at him. 'You are home, hgdri, he told him,'and laughed suddenly. 'You will grow accustomed to it, you have no choice, eh?'

  It was a harsh judgment, and if Carey had been better acquainted with the man who made it, she would have told him so, as it was she gave her attention to comforting Niki. His lip trembled and he turned and buried his face in the skirt of her dress. 'I don't like it here,' he insisted in a small muffled voice. 'I want to go home.'

  'Oh, Niki!' She hugged him close, for her own eyes were misty and if he noticed it would make matters even worse. 'Be a good boy and don't cry, darling. We—we can't go back to London but this is a very lovely house and it—it'll soon seem like home, you'll see.'

  But at the moment he couldn't see, and Carey was feeling so travel-weary herself that she again felt that surge of panic that had showed itself so often on the journey there. These exotic surroundings, and the bold, speculative look in Mitso Karamalis's eyes were so alien to her that her instinct was to gather up Niki and go straight back home to England. Standing in the middle of that great hall she felt lost and rather helpless, and she turned her head sharply when one of the doors opened and another man came out.

  He was tall and very dark and rugged rather than handsome as Mitso was, and as he came towards them Carey had no doubt she was about to meet Dimitri Karamalis. His air of arrogance suggested he was quite capable of organising other people's lives, as Mitso suggested, and of deciding that she should stay at the villa, whether or not she wanted to.

  There was a strength in his features that was lacking in Mitso's good looks, and his body had the lean hardness of an athlete, with broad shoulders, narrow hips and long muscular legs that brought him across the hall in lengthy impatient strides.