The dinner was formal but not, as Eve had feared, unbearably boring. The ambassador had a wealth of anecdotes, any of which he would expound on given the least encouragement. Eve laughed with him, urged him on, then delighted him by carrying on a conversation in French. Her years in the Swiss school had stuck, whether she’d wanted them to or not.

“Impressive,” Reeve toasted her when she turned to him with a grin. He’d changed little over the years, she thought. There was a touch of gray at the temples, but that was all. No, she corrected, that wasn’t all. He was more relaxed now. Happiness, it seemed, was its own fountain of youth.

“How’s your French coming?”

“It isn’t.” He toyed with the rich duck in its delicate sauce and thought how much he would have preferred a steak, rare, cooked over his own grill. Then he glanced over at his wife as she laughed with Bennett. Whatever sacrifices had been made were nothing compared to the rewards. “Gabriella says I’m determined not to learn.”

“And?”

“She’s right.”

Eve laughed and picked up her wine. “I’m looking forward to seeing your farm tomorrow, Reeve. Chris told me the house was lovely, though she got lost when you started in on wheat or oats. And you have horses.”

“All the children ride. Even Dorian sits on a pony.” He paused as the main course was cleared. “It’s amazing how fast they learn.”

“How does it feel?” She turned a little more, not certain where the question had come from or why it seemed so important. “Living here, I mean, or living here most of the year, having to sink down another set of roots, learn new customs?”

He could have passed it off as some men would. He could have made a joke as others might. But he had a fondness for the truth. “It was difficult at first, for both of us. Now it’s home. Just as Virginia’s home. I can’t say I won’t be happy when Alex marries and Brie has fewer obligations, but I fell in love with the woman. Her rank is part of it, part of her.”

“It is more than just a title, isn’t it?” she murmured. Before she realized it, before she could prevent it, her gaze drifted to Alexander.

“A great deal more,” Reeve agreed, aware of where her interest had shifted. “And more yet for him.”

Eve brought her attention back quickly. “Yes, of course. He’ll rule one day.”