“You see, until then we can keep social engagements to a minimum. The kidnapping, though we’re playing it down, is an excellent excuse to keep a low profile, as well as the engagement itself. The ball, however, will be a full-scale event with a great deal of press, and many people. I wonder if my father took into consideration the social pressure you’d be under when he asked you to take this—position.”

Reeve dipped lower in the water, moving closer to her, but not close enough to touch. “You don’t think I can handle it?”

She blinked, then focused on him with a laugh. “I’ve no doubt you’ll handle it beautifully. After all, Alexander admires your mind and Bennett your tailoring. You couldn’t have a better endorsement.”

It amused him. “And so?”

“It’s simply that the longer this goes on, the larger the favor becomes. Even after the engagement’s broken, you’ll have to deal with the repercussions, perhaps for years.”

He turned to float on his back, and closed his eyes. “Don’t worry about it, Brie. I’m not.”

“Perhaps that’s why I do,” she persisted. “After all, I’m the cause of it.”

“No.” His disagreement was mild. “Your kidnapper’s the cause of it.”

For a moment, she said nothing. After all, he’d given her the opening she’d been angling for. Though she wasn’t sure if she should take it, she went ahead. “Reeve, I won’t ask if you were a good policeman. Or if you’re good as a private detective. Your record speaks for itself. But are you happy in your work?”

This time he fell silent. His eyes closed, he could feel the sun beat down on his face while the water lapped cool over his body. He was still hovering over those coals.

No one had ever asked him if he’d been happy in his work. In fact, he hadn’t asked himself until recently. The answer had been yes. And no.

“Yeah. I get a certain satisfaction from my work. I believed in what I was doing on the force. Now I only take a case if I believe in it.”

“Then why aren’t you investigating the kidnapping, instead of guarding me?”

He shifted position until the water lapped up to his shoulders and he could see her. He’d wondered when she would ask. “I’m a private investigator, not a cop anymore. Either way, I wouldn’t have any jurisdiction here.”

“I’m not talking about rules and laws, but of inclinations.”

“One of the most admirable—and annoying—things about you is your perception.” He wondered how her hair would feel now, wet from the sea, and gave in to the urge to reach out to it. He wondered how she would react if she knew he’d been doing some quiet probing, some peering behind the curtain of protocol and drawing his own conclusions without filling her in. In chess, even a queen could be used as a pawn.

“Yeah, I’ve thought about it.” He answered easily, as easily as he treaded water. “But until your father asks, I’m officially security. Just security.”