Command Performance Read Free

returned before you leave.”
    “I read he was in Paris.”
    “Yes.” He closed the door on state business without ever having opened it. “I appreciate your coming here, as it wasn’t possible for me to travel at this time. My secretary outlined my proposal?”
    “Yes, he did.” Business, Eve reminded herself. The amenities, such as they were, were over. “You’d like me to bring my troupe to Cordina for a month’s run of performances at the Fine Arts Center. The performances would be for the benefit of the Aid to Handicapped Children.”
    “That’s correct.”
    “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I was under the impression that Princess Gabriella was in charge of this particular charity.”
    “She is. I am president of the Fine Arts Center. On this we work together.” It was as much explanation as he would give. “Gabriella saw your troupe perform in America and was impressed. She felt that since Cordina has such a strong bond with the United States, using American performers in our country would help bring in desperately needed funds for the AHC.”
    “So this is her idea.”
    “One, after long discussions and consideration, I’ve decided to agree with.”
    “I see.” One rounded nail began to tap on the arm of her chair. “I take that to mean you had reservations.”
    “I’ve never seen your troupe perform.” He leaned back slightly and blew out a stream of smoke. “We’ve had American entertainers at the center before, of course, but never for this length of time or as a prelude to the AHC ball.”
    “Maybe you’d like us to audition.”
    His lips relaxed slightly, interestingly, into a smile. “It had crossed my mind.”
    “I think not.” She rose, and noted with pleasure that manners forced him to stand, as well. “The Hamilton troupe has, in less than five years, earned both critical and popular approval. We have a reputation for excellence that requires no auditions in your country or any. If I decide to bring my company here, it will be because I respect the AHC and Gabriella.”
    He watched her as she spoke. She’d changed in seven years from a wide-eyed young girl into a confident woman. Yet somehow, astonishingly, she was even more beautiful. Her skin was flawless, pale, with hints of rose at the crest of her cheekbones. Her face was diamond-shaped and just as stunning as the gem, with a full rich mouth and huge poetically blue eyes. Framing it was a mane of luxuriant black hair, a bit mussed now as it tumbled to her shoulders and beyond.
    Temper kept her standing straight, but her body was delicate, or so it seemed. He’d wondered, he’d wondered too often, what it would feel like against his.
    Even in anger her voice carried the slow Texas drawl he’d learned to recognize. It breezed soft over his skin until the muscles in his stomach contracted. Carefully, relying on the control he’d fought to develop all his life, Alexander crushed out his cigarette.
    “If you’ve finished, Miss Hamilton?”
    “Eve, for Lord’s sake. We’ve known each other for years.” Out of patience she stalked over to the balcony doors and shoved them open. Facing the outside, she didn’t notice Alexander’s brows raise at her breach of protocol, or the slow smile.
    “Eve,” he said, then let her name hang on the air a moment. “I think we’ve misunderstood each other. I’m not criticizing your company. That would be difficult, because, as I said, I’ve never seen them perform.”
    “At this rate you never will.”
    “Then I’d have to deal with Brie’s temper. I prefer not to. Sit down.” When she merely turned and looked at him, he checked his impulse to command and gestured to her chair. “Please.”
    She obeyed, but left the doors open. The sea could just be heard. The scent of rose, vanilla and spice waftedup from the gardens. “I’m sitting,” she said, and crossed her legs.
    He disapproved of her curt, one-to-one manner. He admired her independence. At the moment Alexander