“I love to hear him laugh,” Eve murmured as her eyes fluttered closed. “Does it show, Nanny? Does it show that I love him so much?”

“I have such old eyes.” Nanny smoothed the sheets before she dimmed the light. “And old eyes see more than young ones. Rest now and dream. He’ll come to you before this night is over, or I don’t know my children.”

She knew them well. Eve stirred and sighed and saw Alexander the moment she opened her eyes. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand in his, watching.

“Nanny gave me a magic potion.”

He kissed her knuckles. He wanted to go on kissing her, holding her close and tight against him until the nightmare had faded completely. With an effort he kept his fingers light, as well as his voice.

“It brought the color back to your cheeks. She said you’d be waking soon and would be hungry.”

Eve pushed herself up. “She’s right. I’m starved.”

He rose and walked to a tray at the foot of the bed. “She ordered your menu herself.” He began to remove covers. “Chicken broth, a small lean steak, fresh greens, potatoes mixed with grated cheese.”

“Enough torture.” Eve laid a hand on her stomach. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast. I’ll start anywhere.”

“The broth, I think.” He placed it on a tray.

“Oh, it smells wonderful.” Eve picked up the spoon and began to recharge her system. He sat in silence while she worked her way through the soup. He could remember every word of Reeve’s report.

Though tests still had to be run, it was almost certain that the bomb had been the same type as the one planted in the Paris embassy. If anyone had been in the office, or even within twenty feet of the door, it would have been fatal.

Eve’s office—where he had once seen her sitting so competently behind her desk.

Security believed that Eve had not been meant to be harmed. Hence the warning. The bomb had been used to terrorize, to confuse, to undermine. But if she hadn’t been quick enough …

He wouldn’t think beyond that. She was here now, unharmed. Whatever he had to do, she would remain that way. When she’d finished the broth, he removed the bowl and replaced it with the main course.

“I suppose I could get used to the pampering.” The meat was pink and tender inside. “It was so sweet of everyone, even your father, to come in and see me, to make sure I was all right.”

“My father cares for you. All of us do.”