With a silent and stone-faced bodyguard, they stepped into an elevator. Bennett used a key to send them up to the third floor.

They crossed pale gray carpet, past uniformed guards to a suite of rooms. Two secretaries, one manning a bank of phones, the other working on a state-of-the-art computer, rose as Bennett entered.

“Janine, could we have some coffee, please?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Right away.”

With his hand still on Hannah’s arm, Bennett opened a door. The moment it shut behind them, the whispers started. His Highness had never brought a woman to his office before.

It was a room that reflected a man who loved beautiful things. Grays and blues blended softly with ivory walls. Deep-cushioned chairs invited long stays and easy conversation while an ornamental lemon tree thrived in a corner. Glass shelves held small treasures, a china bowl, a T’ang horse, a handful of shells she imagined he’d gathered himself and a chipped demitasse cup that might have been picked up in a flea market.

Though there was a very businesslike antique desk and chair, the essence of the room was relaxation. Hannah wondered if he came here when he needed to escape the palace and his title.

“Sit down, Hannah. If you’ve gone through the whole museum, you’ve been on your feet for hours.”

“Yes, but I loved it.” She chose a chair rather than the cozy lounge and folded her hands over each other on her lap. “I’ve always loved the Louvre, but this is so much more personal.”

“The Board of Directors and the Chamber of Commerce will be delighted to hear it.” He remained standing, his hands in his pockets, wondering just how to begin. “If you’d let me know you were coming today, I’d have enjoyed showing you through myself.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you. In any case, I rather liked just wandering.”

Why, he’s nervous, she realized. It might have pleased her in some secret place if she hadn’t discovered she was nervous herself. It was the meeting, she told herself. No, it was Bennett. It was foolish to deny it.

“Do you work here often?”

“When necessary. It’s often more convenient to work out of my office at home.” He didn’t want to talk about the museum. Bennett dug his hands deeper in his pockets. Since when had he had trouble talking to a woman? Since Hannah, he thought wryly, and tried again. “Hannah—”

The knock on the door had him biting off an oath. Bennett opened the door for Janine and the coffee tray. The pot was silver, Hannah noted, while the cups were violet bone china edged in gold.

“Yes, just set it down there, Janine. I’ll see to it.”

“Yes, sir.” She set it down on the table in front of the lounge then curtsied.

Aware he’d been terse, Bennett smiled at her. “Thank you, Janine. It smells wonderful.”