Page 88 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

He was pleased she respected his work ethic at least.

‘I’m sorry my father took such a set against you, and that others took their lead from him. To have everyone about you so negative, it must have been—’

‘That was a long time ago.’

No need to agree that he’d carried a chip on his shoulder. It had put fire in his belly and given him a mutinous determination to prove everyone wrong.

Had his planned elopement with Portia grown as much from the need to thumb his nose at her father as the way Lex had felt about her?

Shock rippled through him. Could that be true? Surely not! How callow had he been at nineteen?

He forced himself to smile despite his roiling gut. ‘That’s something else we have in common, not opting for the easy road. I can see this art course is important to you.’

She twisted her now empty glass. ‘I’ve dreamt of it for a long time. I know it will be tough and perhaps I won’t get the career I’d hoped afterwards, but it’s important to have dreams, don’t you think? Sometimes...’

‘Sometimes what?’

Portia shook her head, her mouth turning down. ‘Nothing. I was rambling. Tell me about this party tomorrow.’

What had she been going to say? Why were dreams so important? Because they were better than the life she’d led?

Again he felt that steely thrust of shame that he’d fallen for her father’s deceit and left her when she needed him. It stifled the question on his lips.

‘The party.’ He dragged his thoughts from the past. ‘It will be at my father’s home in Athens. My two brothers and their wives and my sister and her husband will be there along with their children.’

‘Quite a few then.’

Lex watched her smooth down her skirt. A nervous gesture?

‘They’re all very nice and eager to meet you.’

‘How much do they know about me?’ Her voice rose a notch.

‘Only that you’re a friend from England.’

Portia sighed. ‘They’re bound to be curious about us.’

‘Naturally. But they’re too well-mannered to give you the third degree.’ They’d save that for him. His sister in particular would be eager for details. ‘After the family dinner the other guests, wider family and close friends, will arrive for the party.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Just how formal is it going to be? I packed for a quiet island holiday, not for dressing up.’

Of course Lex had a solution to her lack of suitable clothes for a billionaire’s birthday bash. He organised a personal shopper to bring a selection of items to the penthouse.

Portia bit her lip, surveying the racks of expensive clothes filling her spacious bedroom.

Instead of feeling excited, she found it daunting.

It was one thing to let Lex pay for her outfit, since her budget didn’t run to glamorous party clothes. But it was yet another reminder that his world bent to his whim. Where shops came to you and no expense was too much if it saved you time and effort.

Her family had been wealthy, at least in the beginning, but Lex’s money was on a whole different level. It reinforced how unequal their relationship was.

How could they ever be real partners? If they married would she always be the wife he had to have in order to get his child? Her spirit rebelled at the idea.

‘Where would you like to start, Ms Oakhurst?’

‘Portia, please.’

‘Thank you. And I’m Angeliki.’ The personal shopper smiled, suddenly looking much younger, and the jittery feeling in Portia’s stomach eased. ‘I know you want something for an evening party. But what do you like?’

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