“But Janet wouldn’t understand that.”

“She explained to me how Nanny brought it to the office the day I was kidnapped and scolded me a bit. Then she told me I left directly, that she walked me down to my car so that I’d know there had been no chance for anyone else to have doctored it. What she didn’t tell me, what I didn’t remember until the night of the ball, was that she’d taken the thermos from me and given me a stack of papers to sign. That gave her enough time to do what she had to do.”

“But she hadn’t counted on the old woman being sharp enough to go to your father with her suspicions after Loubet and Deboque’s cousin Henri had picked you up at the little farm.”

“Bless Nanny. To think she was watching over me all those weeks when I thought she was just fussing.”

“Your father had you well looked after. He wasn’t going to risk Loubet’s making another move.”

“Loubet’s plan would have worked if Henri hadn’t had a weakness for wine and I hadn’t started pouring my soup on the ground. If I’d kept taking the full dose of the drug, I’d never have managed to hold off Henri or break through the boards over the window.” She looked down at her hands. The nails were perfect again. They’d suffered badly when she’d fought to pry her way through the window. “Now it’s over. I have my life back.”

“You’re happy with it. That’s what matters.”

She smiled at him slowly. “Yes, I’m happy with it. You know Christina and Eve are staying a few more days.”

“I know your father would like to erect a statue to Eve.”

“We’ve got a lot to be grateful to her for,” Brie told him. “I have to say I enjoy watching her bask in the glory.”

“The kid was white as a sheet when she got into the ballroom, but she didn’t fumble around. She had the story straight and led us right to you.”

“I’ve never thanked you properly.” They glided into the little cove and she dropped sail.

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“But I want to. You gave me a great deal—me and my family. We won’t forget it.”

“I said you didn’t have to thank me.” This time his voice was cool as he walked to the rail.

“Reeve …” Brie rose to join him, wishing she were as sure of herself as she intended to sound. “I realize that you’re not a citizen of Cordina and therefore not subject to our laws or customs. However, I have a request.” She touched her tongue to her top lip. “Since my birthday is only two weeks away, we can call it a royal request if you like. It’s customary for members of the royal family to have a request granted on the anniversary of their birth.”

“A request.” He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. “Which is?”