“Good. Now, I could be allowed a moment to ask about my grandchildren.” Armand smiled, and there was warmth in his eyes. His shoulders never relaxed.

“They’re hellions.”

The laugh came as both appreciation and relief. “I thank God for it. Perhaps one day our biggest concern will be that Damien has dug up the kitchen garden.”

The knock came fast and hard. Armand’s brows rose only slightly at the interruption, but his body was braced. Because Alexander was already standing, Armand gestured for him to answer. The moment the door was opened, Eve stepped forward.

He saw it immediately, the ice pale skin, the too large eyes. He heard the breath come quickly through her lips as he stood, half blocking, half shielding her.

“Alexander.” She reached for him because the need and the gesture were natural. He was safe. She thanked God for it even as the sickness rose in her stomach at the thought of what might be.

Gabriella put a hand on her arm. “We need to speak with Father. Where’s Bennett?”

“In Le Havre until tomorrow.” Alexander needed no explanation. The look in Eve’s eyes, the tone of his sister’s voice were enough. Without a word he stepped back to let them through.

Eve forgot protocol and formal greetings as she hurried forward. She went directly to Armand’s desk. He’d risen, but even through her nerves she saw he stood as prince, not as friend.

“Your Highness, I received a phone call at the center only minutes ago. You must release Deboque from prison within forty-eight hours.”

The veil fell over his eyes—Eve could have sworn she’d seen it fall. “Is this a demand or advice?”

Before Eve could speak, Gabriella again laid a hand on her arm. “A warning was issued through Eve. She was told that if Deboque wasn’t released, a member of the royal family would die.”

Where was the emotion? Eve wondered as she watched the prince. Where was the fear for his family, for himself? He watched her calmly, then gestured for her to sit. “Alexander, I think Eve could use a glass of brandy.”

“Your Highness, please, I’m not the one you have to worry about. No one’s threatening me.”

“Please, sit down, Eve. You’re very pale.”

“I don’t—” But the slight increase in the pressure of Gabriella’s fingers on her arm stopped the protest. She cleared the frantic words away with a long breath and tried again. “Your Highness, I don’t believe this was an empty threat. If Deboque is still in prison two days from now, there will be an assassination attempt on one of you.”

Alexander placed a brandy snifter in her hands. She looked up and, for a moment, forgot everyone in the room but him. It could be you, she thought with a sudden wave of terror. If he was killed, her life would end.