Page 9 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

“If there is room with my wife’s uncle, we might not require lodging.”

“And if not, your wife and her sister will have a safe place to stay.”

As they entered the city, they walked the narrow, winding streets in silence. Regina Vistoire sagged against the high wall of the cart with her eyes closed while Miss Darlington took in the sights, her head swinging this way and that.

“Oh, my,” she murmured as the Acropolis loomed in the distance, the setting sun creating a colorful backdrop for the stark columns of the Parthenon.

Her excitement reminded him of his first glimpse of the ruins. He had been a boy, traveling with his father and mother. He wished their situation were different so he could show her around the ruins.

The cart creaked around the final bend, and Lord Dominic's villa came into view. It was another whitewashed façade in a long line of fashionable residences dotting the hillside.

Long shadows stretched between the buildings while sunlight glinted off the windows of the merchants' homes across the narrow street. Behind the walled courtyards, children laughed and women spoke to one another in rapid Greek.

Jonathan shouted for the guide to stop at the iron gate at Dom’s villa.

“The servants will carry in the trunks,” he said to Xavier.

The other man nodded and went to help the ladies climb from the cart. Miss Darlington dusted off her skirts, smiling as she gazed up at an orange tree.

“Thieves beware,” she said, her voice lilting like a pleasant melody.

Jonathan chuckled. “I feel much safer with you in residence, Miss Darlington.”

Offering his arm, he escorted her through the arched gate and up the front walkway, where the scent of jasmine sweetened the air. Xavier and his wife walked close behind.

“I had hoped to call on Uncle Charles soon,” Miss Darlington said. “Do you know how far it is to Mrs. Bellini’s home?”

“Perhaps we should allow your sister to rest and call at Mrs. Bellini’s in the morning,” Jonathan said. It would be easier to carry out his orders if he didn’t see the ladies interacting with their uncle.

“No,” Regina Vistoire said. “I will rest easier once I’ve seen him.”

“Are you sure, mon amour? I did not see a carriage anywhere.”

“The streets are too narrow, so nearly everyone walks,” Jonathan said, looking over his shoulder as they stepped into the shadow cast by one of the red-tiled balconies jutting from the second floor. “But it isn’t far to Mrs. Bellini’s villa. In fact, her roof is visible from the balcony.”

Dom’s butler opened the door as they approached. He was English and had traveled to Athens with Dom.

“Sir Jonathan, you’ve arrived with guests.”

“I have, Mr. Wilcox. Allow me to present Mr. and Mrs. Vistoire and Miss Darlington. They may be lodging overnight.”

“Yes, sir. I will have the south wing prepared in case.”

“And the ladies need a maid assigned.”

The butler turned to one of the lower-ranking servants and spoke to him in flawless Greek. “See to their trunks and send for Leda to bring lemonade and a plate of kourabiedes.”

“Nai, kyree,” the younger servant answered.

While the ladies were shown to a private sitting room, Jonathan led Xavier into the first-floor library, gesturing toward the brandy. “May I offer you a drink?”

“Non, but merci. If you would have refreshments sent to Regina and Evangeline, though, I would be grateful.”

“They are being served lemonade and kourabiedes as we speak,” Jonathan said, also foregoing a drink. “They are like almond biscuits. Lord Dominic’s servants will take good care of the ladies. If you are newly married, I assume you’ve not met your wife’s uncle?”

“I have not.” Xavier half-grimaced, half-smiled. “It is too late if he doesn’t approve of me, but my wife will be très disappointed. She admires him a great deal.”

“For his academic accomplishments?”