One of the ‘Siren Isles’ of the Saronic Gulf, it appeared from out of the sea like a mermaid floating on the calm waves, and despite her situation she found herself showing interest in the place where she was to live. Leon had told her a little of the island’s history, so she knew it had once been the haunt of brave buccaneering men but that in recent years many writers, artists and ship-owners had been attracted to its shores. The big houses on the hillsides were owned by the wealthy, and had been for many years. Leon’s home was one of these. She had learned that he was a ship-owner but that he had interests elsewhere, and one of these interests was fashion. The House of Hera, famous for feminine clothes of distinction, belonged to him. This information, given to her casually, explained his previous use of the word ‘models’, and of the assertion that his taste was considered perfect. He himself designed many of the exclusive gowns for which the House of Hera had become world-famed.
