“No one will.” Eve’s thoughts were on Deboque, Hannah surmised. The princess was bound by duty to keep some fears to herself. “Now, not to pamper, but I think we could both use some tea, then you can show me what sort of job I can do around here.”

Eve brought herself back with an effort. Nightmares of Deboque, a man she’d never seen, continued to plague her. “Tea’s a wonderful idea, but I didn’t bring you to the Center to work. I just thought you’d like to see it.”

“Eve, you of all people should understand that I need something to do or I’ll be bored to death.”

“But I’d hoped this could be a vacation for you.”

The guilt shimmered a bit. “Some people aren’t meant for vacations.”

“All right then. Why don’t you watch rehearsals with me for an hour or two and give me an honest opinion?”

“I’d love to.”

“Great I’m worried about the opening. We only have a couple of weeks left and I’ve had nothing but trouble with this playwright.”

“Oh, who is it?”

Eve rose and took a deep breath. “Me.”

*   *   *

Hannah drank her tea and stayed in the background. It didn’t take long for her to see that Eve was respected not only as the wife of the heir, but for her knowledge of theater. She noted too that guards, unobtrusive but in force, were always close at hand. When the princess was in the theater, every entrance was blocked, every interior door was double guarded. Hannah was also aware that a special unit of security checked the Center daily for explosives.

While seated mid-theater with Eve, Hannah watched the rehearsal. She’d always had an affection and respect for actors, as she understood the effort and skill that went into characterization. Now, while lines were cued and staging set, she matched the members of the troupe with the information she already had compiled on each of them.

They were certainly talented, Hannah thought as she found herself drawn into the rhythm and emotion of Eve’s play. The sets were still incomplete, but the players needed no more than Eve’s words and their own skill to make a statement. Each one of the actors had a reputation in theater and a complete security check.

But it had been an actor—Russ Talbot—who’d nearly carried out Deboque’s revenge two years before. Hannah couldn’t forget that it was a strong possibility that someone other than herself had been planted. Deboque was known for covering his bets.

“She’s wonderful, isn’t she?”

Drawn back, Hannah looked over at Eve. “I beg your pardon?”