“When they bore me.” He cupped a hand around her neck. His fingers were light, smooth, and still made her think of spiders. “I have a feeling you won’t. I’m not attracted to looks, but brains and ambitions. Together, I believe we could be very comfortable.”

If his lips touched hers, she would retch. Knowing it, Hannah tilted her head back just an inch. “Perhaps—after our business is completed.”

The fingers on her neck tightened, then released. The marks they had left wouldn’t fade for several minutes. “You’re a cautious woman, Hannah.”

“Cautious enough to want the five million before I sleep with you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I should get back before I cause any concern.”

“Of course.”

She walked to the door. “I’ll need those supplies by the end of the week.”

“Expect a Christmas present from your aunt in Brighton.”

With a nod, she swung easily through the door.

Deboque took his chair again and decided he’d become quite fond of her. It was a shame she’d have to die.

Chapter 10

It was midafternoon before Bennett went to find her. He’d read every word in the files Armand had given him. Though some had fascinated him, some had frightened him and some had angered him, he still wasn’t sure he knew the woman.

Now he, too, was part of the deception, he thought as he made his way up to Eve’s rooms. Nothing he’d read, nothing he’d been told could be confided to his brother. He couldn’t comfort his sister or Eve with the fact that every move Deboque made was being monitored. He had, as he was coming to understand Hannah had, no choice but to play the game through. So he went to find her, knowing it was long past time they talked calmly.

He found Eve and Gabriella together at a table with piles of lists and a pot of tea.

“Bennett.” Gabriella reached a hand out. “Just in time. We need a man’s viewpoint on the Christmas Ball.”

“Make sure there’s plenty of wine.” He bent to kiss both of her cheeks. Though she’d smiled at him, he’d recognized the signs of strain, just as he recognized them in Eve. “Hannah’s not with you?”

“No.” Eve set her pencil down as she lifted her face for Bennett’s kiss. “I told her I wanted her to rest today. Last night . . .” She tightened her fingers on his. “Last night must have been dreadful for her. And you.”

He shrugged, remembering too clearly the way he’d left her—curled into a silent ball on the bed. “It wasn’t a dull evening in any case.”

“Don’t joke, Ben. You could have been killed. All I can think is that it’s the second time in the theater. The second time one of my plays—”