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moment strained against the confines she’d built herself.
    Hannah turned to look back at the mirrors when she heard the footsteps.
    Immediately alert, she cast her eyes down and walked from the room.
    “Ah, there you are.”
    At Bennett’s voice, Hannah gave an inward curse, but curtsied. “Your Highness.”
    “Taking the grand tour?” He walked closer, wondering why she looked as plain as a maiden aunt and continued to intrigue him.
    “Yes, sir. I hope it’s all right.”
    “Of course.” He took her hand, willing her to look directly at him. There was something about her eyes. . . . Or perhaps it was her voice, that cool, always composed British tone. “I had some business in town. Alexander suggested I swing by when I’d finished to see if you were ready to go back.”
    “That’s very kind of you.” And oh, how she would have preferred a silent, anonymous driver who’d have given her the opportunity to assimilate her report on the drive back.
    “I was here.” He felt the restlessness layer over him as she drew her hand back to her side. “If you’d like to see more, I’d be happy to take you around the rest of the Center.”
    Hannah weighed the pros and cons in a matter of seconds. Another quick look might add something, but she’d already gone through the main theater twice, once with Eve and once alone. It might begin to look odd if she went through again with Bennett.
    “No, thank you. It is a fascinating place. I’ve never seen a theater from this side.”
    “Eve’s territory. I confess I prefer front row center myself.” He took Hannah’s arm and began to lead her down the hall. “If you hang around her for any length of time, she finds something for you to do. With me, it’s usually moving boxes. Heavy boxes.”
    With a laugh, Hannah slanted him a look. “That’s one of the best uses a woman can find for a man.”
    “I can see why Eve took to you.” He’d come simply to do his sister-in-law a favor, but now found himself glad. Outward appearance aside, Lady Hannah was anything but dull. For perhaps the first time in his life, Bennett was beginning to look beneath the physical. “Have you seen much of Cordina yet, Hannah?”
    She noticed he’d dropped her title, but decided to let it pass. “Only snatches so far, sir. Once I’m a bit more familiar with Eve’s routine, I plan to explore a bit. I’ve heard your museum has some excellent exhibits. The building itself is reported to be a fine example of post-Renaissance architecture.”
    He wasn’t interested in exhibits, but in her. “Do you like the water?”
    “Of course. Sea air is very beneficial for the constitution.”
    With a half laugh, Bennett paused at the top of the stairs. “But do you like it?”
    He had a strange talent for looking at a woman as though he were seeing her for the first time. And looking as though it mattered. Despite her training, Hannah felt her pulse rate accelerate. “Yes. My grandmother has a place near Cornwall. I spent several summers there as a girl.”
    He wondered what she would look like with her hair down and the sea wind teasing it. Would she laugh as he had heard her laugh in the garden? Would he see that light flash in her eyes again? Then he realized it didn’t matter how she looked. He went on impulse, knowing he might regret it.
    “I have to go into Le Havre in a couple of days. The drive runs along the coast. Come with me.”
    If he’d asked her to step into the storage room and neck, she would have been no less surprised. Surprise turned quickly to caution and caution to calculation. But beneath it all was the simple pleasure that he wanted her company. It was the pleasure that worried her.
    “It’s kind of you to ask, Your Highness, but Eve may have plans.”
    “Then we’ll check with her first.” He wanted her to go. He found himself already looking forward to spending a few hours with her away from the palace. Perhaps it was for the challenge of it, the challenge