Lord Perfect (48 page)

'Truly?"

Esme shook her head from side to side in the Albanian
affirmative.

"What was it like?" Donika asked eagerly.
"He's so handsome, like a prince. Beautiful golden hair, and
eyes like blue jewels—"

"It was
wet
," Esme interrupted. "I
didn't like it at all. I knocked him down and wiped my mouth and
cursed him soundly." She looked at her friend. "And he just
lay there on the ground and laughed."

Donika laughed. "I can't believe this. You knocked
down the cousin of Ali Pasha? You could have been executed."

Esme turned her gaze to the sea. Any day now it would
carry her far away from all she knew and loved… forever.

"My father is no unwanted suitor, no enemy,"
she said quietly. "I can't fight him. When at last he confessed
he was homesick, I felt so ashamed for arguing with him. I'll make
the best of it, for his sake."

"It won't be so bad," Donika comforted.
"You'll be homesick at first, but once you're wed, with babies
of your own, think how happy you'll be. Think how rich and full your
life will be."

Her gaze upon the pitiless sea, Esme saw only emptiness
ahead. But her friend was, miraculously, in love with the man her
family had chosen for her. No more self-pity, Esme resolved. No more
gloom. This was Donika's happy time, and it was unkind to spoil it.

"So it will," Esme said with a laugh. "And
I shall teach my babies Albanian, in secret."