“Certainly.” Her only thought now was to see him out of the theater and away before any opportunity arose. The theater was packed with people, the Royal Family was present. Now wasn’t the time for a confrontation. “Can I assist you in making a discreet exit?”

“It’s been seen to.”

“Very well. Tell our employer that I won’t be as dramatic, but I’ll be effective.” She turned toward the stairs when she heard the door above open.

“Hannah?”

At the sound of Bennett’s voice her blood froze. Even as the man beside her made a move, she clamped a hand over his arm. She knew without seeing that he reached for a weapon.

“Don’t be a fool,” she hissed. “In this light you could too easily miss and ruin everything. Turn off that beam and let me handle it.” She felt his resistance, but turned quickly and started up the stairs. “Bennett.” She didn’t have to fake the fear in her voice. He was hardly more than a shadow at the doorway but she put her arms around him and let her body block his.

“What are you doing down here?” he began.

“I lost my way when the lights went off.”

“For God’s sake, Hannah. How did you manage to get all the way down here?”

“I—I’m not sure. Please, let’s go back.”

“You could’ve broken your neck on these stairs.” When he gave her a slight shake and started to draw her back she shifted to block him more thoroughly.

“Kiss me,” she ordered in a whisper.

Almost amused now that he’d found her safe, Bennett tilted up her chin. In the dim light he could only make out the vague outline of her face and the glint of her eyes. “If you insist.”

Even as he closed his mouth over hers, she gripped the door handle behind him, prepared to shove him through.

Then his fingers spread over her face, gently. His lips coaxed and comforted and asked so little in return. On the handle her fingers tightened as much in response to him as in fear for him. One hand settled at the small of her back, again to soothe. Hannah felt her heart tear. She loved him, yet knew she couldn’t. She wanted the kiss to be no more than what it was, a merging of lips, a symbol of caring. But what it was, what it had to be was a tool to give the man below them the time to escape.

Then Bennett would be safe. For seconds only, she put her heart into the kiss. He would be safe, and she could breathe again.