Chapter 37 Understandings

Lorenzo watched the sunset and England fade from view. His mind was on her again. This wasn't supposed to have happened. It was a business arrangement. He and Mikkos met by chance in Rome six months before. Yet another of Sage's nurses had quit unexpectedly, and Lorenzo was left without a replacement. Lorenzo took her to the fountain to play. And felt he was being watched. The older man told him that Sage reminded him of a child he knew long ago. A child he had lost. Lorenzo had assumed by lost Mikkos meant death, but indeed that was not the case, though Lorenzo would not understand that for some time to come.

"My Natasha had such spirit. The world lay out before her like an oyster. She laughed…then I let her down. It destroyed me as completely as it destroyed her."

Lorenzo nodded absently. "I'm very sorry."

Much later they dined together, by now they realized their families could be mutually beneficial to one another. Too much wine led Lorenzo to lament the loss of his Sophie and his worry for Sage. "Chose your bride carefully my friend…it may be the most important decision you ever make. Now my niece, she would be perfect. I think you'd like her."

It seemed a lifetime ago. He had still not told Alexis and was now actually afraid too. As he watched her with Samantha, the wind blowing at her coat and hair, he knew he had fallen in love with her. This was not part of the deal, certainly not part of Lorenzo's plan. He could not pinpoint when it started. If he was honest with himself, he suspected it was the first time she rolled her eyes at Sage's theatrics.

She was terrified. All she wanted was to keep her daughter safe. He understood that. He understood she had sold her soul to one devil to free herself from another. She would never allow herself to love him, never allow herself to believe he loved her. Revealing his arrangement with Mikkos would destroy any chance he had with her. She was just obstinate enough to take the girl and try to make her way.

If he was to win her heart he would have to do so slowly, and they did not have time for that.

"Cherbourg harbour docking in 20 minutes." The porter sang out. He repeated the message in French.

Samantha ran through the doors. "Mr. Alcazar, we're almost there! Where's Sage?"

"She's with Alice, portside. Isn't your mother cold?"

"Yes, she'll be in in a minute." Samantha nodded. "Sage, Sage I can see France." She ran across the crowded lobby gleefully. Lorenzo thought back to his first encounter with the girl. Her bold demands that he stop his daughter from harming 'her'. Mikkos had mentioned a girl. Mentioned that Alexis would be unwilling to leave her, he failed to mention that the girl in question was Alexis'. But it was impossible to see them both and not know. Though Samantha was darker she had her mother's eyes, nose and smile, though he was only recently exposed to either of their smiles. Such beautiful smiles. Samantha smiled frequently these past three days. Alexis' were less frequent, but he vowed to change that…if she would let him.

"Mr. Alcazar." Alexis nodded as she stepped out of the cold wind.

"We'll be docking presently."

"Good."

"You haven't changed your mind."

"No Mr. Alcazar, I haven't and I won't." Alexis avoided his eyes. "It's getting dark, I wonder where Helena is."

"There's no telling. Hopefully she took the bait."

"Hopefully. We can't get far enough away if she didn't."

"Helena, I've been expecting you."

Mikkos sat comfortably in a captain's chair smoking his pipe. Helena shot an eyebrow up. "You're accompanying them? How quaint."

"No. I've no idea where Alexis is right now, I'm quite certain I will never see her again in my lifetime."

"Mores the pity. Don't worry Darling, I'll find her for you."

"No, Helena this ends now. You have hurt her and Samantha for the last time. Enjoy the cruise my dear, it may well be your last."