When they reached the first floor, the Marquis turned left and they walked a long way down a wide corridor.
He then opened a door that was covered in green baize, which Athina knew would lead into the servants’ part of the house.
After they had passed through it, he opened another door on the right hand side of the corridor.
They walked into a sitting room where the sunshine was pouring in through tall windows.
Peter was standing in front of one of the windows in his trousers and without his shirt.
An elderly woman with a kind face was examining his back.
When he saw Athina come into the room, Peter gave a cry and ran to her.
He held out his arms and Athina went down on her knees and, as he flung himself against her, she pulled off her hat so that it was easier to kiss him.
He put
