It had seemed to take ages for the wedding feast to be over. But when Nikos had started off to find Imma of Leventi, he’d been waylaid by his mother and father. When he’d managed to get free of them, Petros had sought him out before the Doralisian captain had left for the local town in the province to visit a friend. Finally freed of such intrusions, the baron had found Imma busy with her cousins. Oh, why was it so very difficult to get one girl alone! Utterly frustrated, Nikos decided to pass a note to Imma via one of the female servants in the Dimitrou home.

Meet me in the gardens at sunset.
L. N.

Now to wait.

After handing off the slip of parchment upon which the note was written, Nikos meandered his way towards the gardens of the estate. He wasn’t particularly fond of staying the night at the Dimitrou home, but not much could be done about it. It was too late already to travel back to Vasiliadon safely. Not to mention, his mother had asked him to travel back with her – something about a conversation she wished to have with him. Nikos wasn’t too certain he’d be up for much conversing on the boat ride back to the city, though. The damned waters always made him ill.

At least, since he was left with no choice but to remain here for the night, he would have the opportunity to visit with the Leventi Lady that had recently caught his eye. He had held every intention of not indulging his usual notions with this one, for Evie’s sake. Evangelina had warned him to keep his hands to himself when it came to her younger cousin. But Evie’s new marriage changed things. Why should he refrain if there was never to be a chance to gain Evie’s affections once more? Of course, there was Arete to consider. She was waiting for him to return to the Condos manor in the city. Likely what his mother wished to talk to him about. However he felt about his mistress though, was somewhat of a moot point. As far as anyone could tell, she’d never be able to give him a child, an heir. Nikos wasn’t quite ready for marriage – how does one ever know if they are ready for such things? – but that didn’t mean he didn’t know his duty was to marry a woman that could provide him a legitimate son. Arete could never be that woman.

Nikos strolled the lush gardens alone, until he found a fountain. He sat on the low wall and let his fingers glide over the surface of the water, teasing the small fish that lived in the large fountain. The sun had begun its slow decent in the western sky, and the soft blue of the day was gradually darkening with hints of red and purple. Where was Imma? Would she find him, or had the Leventi lady changed her mind?