‘You’re right. I can’t make you. You need to decide yourself. But that’s why I’m here-to help you to decide that you need to come home.’

‘My home’s here.’

‘Your career until now has been here,’ he agreed. ‘You’ve done very well.’

‘There’s no need to sound patronising.’

‘I’m not patronising.’

‘Like you’d know about my career.’

He raised his brows, half mocking. ‘There were seven candidates for the position you’re now in,’ he said softly. ‘Each of them was older, more experienced. You won the job over all of them and your boss believes he made a brilliant decision.’

‘How do you know…’

‘I’ve made it my business to find out.’

‘Well, butt out. There’s no need…’

‘There is a need. There was always a chance that you’d inherit, and now you have.’

‘I have no intention of inheriting. Demos wants it. Demos can have it. It should be you, but if that’s not possible…Demos.’

‘It was never going to be me.’

‘You’re nephew to the King.’ ‘You know the score,’ he said evenly. ‘Yes, my mother was the King’s sister, but the King’s lineage has to be direct and male. That’s me out. But the individual island crowns have male/female equality. First in line for the throne of Argyros is you. Princess Athena, Crown Princess of Argyros. Sounds good, hey?’ He smiled and tried to take her hand across the table. She snatched it away as if he burned.

‘This is crazy. I’ve told you, Nikos, I’m not coming home.’

‘Can I ask why not?’

‘I don’t belong there.’

‘Of course you do. My family has always welcomed…’

‘Your family,’ she interrupted flatly. ‘Of course. How’s your wife?’

Why had she asked that? What possible difference did it make? But suddenly-she had to know.

Nikos didn’t answer directly. He’d given up trying to take her hand. Instead he’d clasped his hands loosely on the table top. He flexed them now, still linked. Big hands and powerful.