Eve let out a windy sigh. “And would, too. All right, but we’re going to have to make it fifteen, and in my office.”

“Fair enough.” Brie linked arms with Eve, then looked over her shoulder, mouthing the word twenty to Ethel.

“And how is it you have twenty free minutes in the middle of the day?”

“Luck. Nanny’s with the children at the farm, Reeve’s in conference with Papa and Alex, and my afternoon appointment came down with a virus.”

“You don’t sound sympathetic.”

“I’m relieved. You have no idea how tedious it is to sit around eating watercress sandwiches—nasty things—and planning a fund-raiser with a woman with more hot air than imagination. If I’m really lucky, the virus will last three or four days and I can have the whole thing planned without her.”

“Talk about nasty. Well, here, as we say in the States, is where the buck stops.” She opened the door to her office and gestured Gabriella inside.

“Adequate enough,” Gabriella decided, turning a circle. “But you need some fresh flowers and something to replace that hideous painting.”

“I don’t even notice really. It’s more important that I’ve been requisitioned a coffeemaker.” Eve hit the switch. “It’ll be hot in a minute.”

Gabriella set her purse on the desk and casually moved to the window. “A pity you don’t have a better view.”

“I didn’t think there was a bad view in Cordina.”

Gabriella let the curtain fall back into place, then turned. “You know, Eve, I stopped by home when I dropped Reeve off. Alexander looks every bit as hollow-eyed as you.”

Eve moved away to busy herself with cups and saucers. “I suppose he has a lot on his mind.”

“No doubt about that, and a bit more than state affairs. Did you quarrel?”

“We had words. Do you want it black or with some of this awful powdered milk?”

“Black.” Gabriella waited until Eve poured and handed her a cup. “Like to talk about it?”

“He’s your brother.”

“And you’re my friend.” Without tasting, Gabriella sat and set the cup on the edge of the desk. “I love both of you, enough, I think, to be objective. Has he been difficult?”

“No.” Eve took a long drink. “Impossible.”

“Sounds like Alex.” She couldn’t prevent the hint of a smile. “In his defense I have to say he doesn’t try to be impossible, he just is. What did he do?”

Eve finished off her coffee, then rose immediately to pour more. “He kissed me.”

Gabriella lifted a brow, pursed her lips and considered. “That doesn’t seem like such a terrible thing to me.”

“Come on, Brie, I’m talking about Alexander the Proper. And he didn’t just kiss me,” she added because it sounded so foolish out loud. “He tried to seduce me.”