Greek's Marriage Bargain by Lilly LaRue

could convince them to stop arguing. “It’s late—”
    They both ignored her. “I feel no shame. I love Loukas, and it was as Leah said.”
    Nikos turned his glower on Leah. “What did Leah say?”
    “She told me sex can be beautiful with someone you love. You don’t have to be married to be in love.”
    Leah gulped, not liking the way Nikos’s eyes darkened. “It’s late,” she said again. “Why don’t we go to bed and talk about this in the morning?”
    He regarded her with an unreadable expression for a long second, before transferring his attention to Loukas. “I will escort the boy home.”
    Seeing Loukas tremble, Leah put her hand on Nikos’s arm. “I’m sure he can find his way home just fine, Nikos.”
    “Yes, Kyria Andrakis,” said the boy eagerly. He paused long enough to squeeze Arianna’s hand before practically running down the stairs. His escape might have been amusing if not for the heavy tension remaining between her husband and his niece.
    “I am going to bed,” said Arianna haughtily as she spun on her heel and marched back into her room. The resounding slam of the door echoed through the hallway.
    Leah stood awkwardly beside Nikos. His silence worried her, and she found herself trying to fill it. “It isn’t the end of the world, you know.”
    He regarded her coldly. “I do not expect you to understand our ways. I also wouldn’t have expected you to deliberately steer her down the wrong path.”
    Leah’s mouth dropped open. “I didn’t steer her anywhere, Nikos. She asked me a question, and I gave her the best answer I could.”
    “No. You gave her a trite, Western answer that excuses promiscuity.”
    She threw up her hands. “I can’t reason with you when you’re like this. I’m going to bed too.” Leah turned and strode back to the bedroom, anger making her heart thump in her ears. She felt a tinge of guilt, wondering if his words were correct. Had Leah given Arianna an answer based on the values of her society instead of the girl’s? With a shake of her head, she closed the bedroom door behind her. Whether he liked it or not, Arianna was a product of both cultures. She was also an adult, and Nikos would have to accept that.
    Body still thrumming with anger, Leah returned to bed. She was certain she wouldn’t be able to sleep with the adrenaline flowing, but exhaustion swept over her, returning her to a deep sleep within minutes.
     
    She awoke later in the morning to someone shaking her. Felling heavy-headed, Leah blinked open her eyes, staring at Arianna with a touch of confusion.
    “He’s gone mad, Leah.”
    She blinked, forcing her eyes to focus on Arianna as she sat up in the bed. “Who?”
    “ Theo Nikos is insane. He’s insisting I marry Loukas.” The younger girl’s lip trembled. “He’s gone to discuss the particulars with Loukas’s father.”
    “What?” She shook her head to clear it. “That’s crazy.”
    Arianna nodded. “He insists it’s the only way to fix this.” She wrung her hands. “I don’t want to marry him, Leah. I love Loukas, but it isn’t the kind of deep love one needs for a marriage.” She blushed. “I am not exactly in love with him, if you understand what I mean? I was curious, and he is handsome and kind…” Her blush deepened as she trailed off. “I wanted him to be my first lover, not my only lover.”
    Leah hugged Arianna. “I understand. It probably wasn’t a wise decision, but it’s an understandable one.” She shook her head. “He can’t really mean to force you to marry that boy.”
    Arianna nodded. “He has reserved the church for three days from now and sent for a seamstress to make me a dress. All that’s left is to negotiate the deal with Loukas’s father.”
    Leah nibbled on her lower lip. Nikos sounded determined to force the marriage. She knew how stubborn he could be, and getting him to change his mind would be difficult. It would be impossible with Arianna’s presence. Making a decision she