“Damn it, it’s because of my family that—” But he broke off as he gripped her shoulders. “You’re shaking again.”

“Shock.” Reeve’s voice came from behind. He had his jacket off and was draping it over her. “Both Eve and Talbot should go to the hospital.”

Alexander swore at himself for not taking proper care of her, but before he could agree Eve was backing off. “I don’t need to go to the hospital. All I really need is to sit down for a few minutes.” Her teeth began to chatter.

“In this you’ll do as you’re told.” Alex motioned for one of the guards to assist Russ.

“Alexander, if I could have a brandy and a quiet room, I would—”

“You can have a quart of brandy and as many quiet rooms as you wish. After you’ve seen Dr. Franco.” He scooped her up in his arms before she could protest.

“For heaven’s sake, I’m strong as a horse.” But her head found his shoulder and settled there.

“We’ll have the doctor confirm that, and bring in a veterinarian if you like.” He paused briefly to look at Reeve. “We’ll talk later?”

“I’ll be at the palace in an hour or two.”

* * *

Eve lay on the pristine white examining table and frowned as Dr. Franco shone the pinpoint light in her left eye. “Too much fuss,” she muttered.

“Doctors like nothing better than fussing,” he told her, then shone the light in her right eye. Flicking the light off, he took her pulse again. His touch was gentle, his eyes kind. Eve had to smile at the smooth white dome of his head.

“Don’t you consider it a waste of your time to examine a perfectly healthy patient?”

“I need the practice.” His lips curved in the bed of his white beard. “Once I’ve satisfied myself, I can set the prince’s mind at rest. I don’t think you’d like to worry him.”

“No.” She sighed as he attached the blood pressure cuff. “I just don’t care for hospitals.” Meeting the irony in his eyes, she sighed again. “When I lost my mother, we spent hours in the waiting room. It was a slow, painful process for all of us.”

“Death is hardest on those left behind—just as illness is often more difficult for the healthy.” He understood her aversion to hospitals, but remembered that when Prince Bennett had been recovering from his wounds, she had come every day to sit with him. “You’ve had a shock, my dear, but you’re strong and resilient. You’d be pleased if I assured the prince you didn’t have to remain overnight.”

She was already sitting up. “A great deal more than pleased.”

“Then a bargain must be struck,” he added, gently coaxing her back down.