“Yes.” He closed the door on state business without ever having opened it. “I appreciate your coming here, as it wasn’t possible for me to travel at this time. My secretary outlined my proposal?”

“Yes, he did.” Business, Eve reminded herself. The amenities, such as they were, were over. “You’d like me to bring my troupe to Cordina for a month’s run of performances at the Fine Arts Center. The performances would be for the benefit of the Aid to Handicapped Children.”

“That’s correct.”

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I was under the impression that Princess Gabriella was in charge of this particular charity.”

“She is. I am president of the Fine Arts Center. On this we work together.” It was as much explanation as he would give. “Gabriella saw your troupe perform in America and was impressed. She felt that since Cordina has such a strong bond with the United States, using American performers in our country would help bring in desperately needed funds for the AHC.”

“So this is her idea.”

“One, after long discussions and consideration, I’ve decided to agree with.”

“I see.” One rounded nail began to tap on the arm of her chair. “I take that to mean you had reservations.”

“I’ve never seen your troupe perform.” He leaned back slightly and blew out a stream of smoke. “We’ve had American entertainers at the center before, of course, but never for this length of time or as a prelude to the AHC ball.”

“Maybe you’d like us to audition.”

His lips relaxed slightly, interestingly, into a smile. “It had crossed my mind.”

“I think not.” She rose, and noted with pleasure that manners forced him to stand, as well. “The Hamilton troupe has, in less than five years, earned both critical and popular approval. We have a reputation for excellence that requires no auditions in your country or any. If I decide to bring my company here, it will be because I respect the AHC and Gabriella.”

He watched her as she spoke. She’d changed in seven years from a wide-eyed young girl into a confident woman. Yet somehow, astonishingly, she was even more beautiful. Her skin was flawless, pale, with hints of rose at the crest of her cheekbones. Her face was diamond-shaped and just as stunning as the gem, with a full rich mouth and huge poetically blue eyes. Framing it was a mane of luxuriant black hair, a bit mussed now as it tumbled to her shoulders and beyond.

Temper kept her standing straight, but her body was delicate, or so it seemed. He’d wondered, he’d wondered too often, what it would feel like against his.