“It’s hardly a matter of envy. As long as I can remember, Alex has had to work harder, study harder. Be harder. No, I wouldn’t step into his shoes. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, I don’t know. The American fascination with royalty, I suppose.”

“You’ve known us too long to be fascinated.”

“I’ve known some of you.” With a shake of her head, she walked to him. “Do you remember that first night, the night of the ball, when we walked out on one of those high, dark balconies?”

“That’s hardly a night I’d forget.”

“I was fascinated then. I thought you were going to kiss me.”

He grinned and twined a lock of her hair around his finger. “I never got around to it.”

“No, you ended up getting shot, instead. I thought you were very heroic.”

“I was.” He linked his arms loosely around her waist. “You know, if I tried to kiss you now, I’d feel as though I were making a pass at my sister.”

“I know.” Relaxed, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad we’re friends, Ben.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have a cousin, a half sister, an aunt, who looks anything like you?”

“Sorry.” Smiling, she tilted her head back to look at him.

“Me, too.”

“Bennett.”

It only took Alexander’s voice to have Eve springing back like a child caught in the cookie jar. She cursed herself for it, then balled her hands into fists at her side.

“Excuse me.” Coolly regal, he stood just outside the terrace doors where the moonlight didn’t reach. “The ambassador is leaving.”

“So soon?” Untouched by the biting tone, Bennett squeezed Eve’s shoulders. “Well, we should make our goodbyes. Thanks for the air.”

“Of course.” But as he walked through the doors, she stayed where she was, hoping Alexander would follow him.

“If you’d come back in for a moment, the ambassador would like to say goodbye. He was quite charmed by you at dinner.”

“All right.” She walked to the doors, but found her way blocked. This time she didn’t step back, but angled her chin so she could see his face. It was in shadows, and only his eyes were clear. “Was there something else, Your Highness?”

“Yes, it seems there is.” He caught her chin in his hand, surprising both of them. It was soft, with the pressure still a threat or a promise. It wasn’t a lover’s touch. He refused to allow it to be. “Bennett is a generous man, a compassionate one, but a man who has little discretion with women. You should take care.”