Command Performance Read Free Page A

wasn’t sure how the two could be mixed. He was sure that she stirred, as she always did, something more than polite emotions in him. Slowly he took his seat again and faced her.
    “As a member of the royal family and as president of the Fine Arts Center, I must be very discreet and very circumspect in whom I choose to perform. In this case I’m trusting Gabriella’s judgment and asking you if we can come to an arrangement.”
    “Perhaps.” Eve was a businesswoman first and last. Personal feelings had never swayed her decisions, and they wouldn’t now. “I’ll have to see the theater again, check out the facilities. I’ll have to be assured contractually that I and my company have artistic freedom—and adequate lodging during the run. Because the performances would be for a charity, I’m willing to negotiate our fee and expenses. Artistically, however, there is no negotiation.”
    “I’ll see to it that you have a tour of the center. The center’s lawyers and yours can deal with the contract. Artistically …” He linked his fingers on the desk. “Because you are the artist, I’ll respect your judgment, but I’m not willing to toss myself blindly into your hands. The idea is for your company to perform four plays, one week each. The material will have to be approved by the center.”
    “By you.”
    It was a negligent, imperial shrug. “As you like.”
    She didn’t like, and didn’t bother to pretend otherwise. “What are your qualifications?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “What do you know about the theater? You’re a politician.” She said it with a faint, very faint, sneer of contempt. “Why should I bring my company here, thousands of miles from home, for a fraction of what we normally earn so that you can pick and choose the material we perform?”
    His temper had never been easily harnessed. Through years of dedication and determination he’d learned how to channel it. He did so now without taking his eyes from hers. “Because performing at the Fine Arts Centerin Cordina at the request of the royal family would be a career advantage you would be foolish to ignore.” He leaned forward. “I don’t believe you’re a foolish woman, Eve.”
    “No, I’m not.” She rose again, but slowly, then waited until he stood on the other side of his desk. “I’ll see the theater first, and I’ll think about it before I ask the members of my troupe.”
    “You run the company, don’t you?”
    She tilted her head and a lock of hair fell over one eye. With her fingertips she drew it back. “You forget, America’s a democracy, Your Highness. I don’t hand down decrees to my people. If I find the facilities adequate and my troupe agrees, we’ll talk contracts. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to unpack and change before dinner.”
    “I’ll have someone show you to your rooms.”
    “I know where they are.” She stopped at the door, turned and dropped an arrogant curtsy. “Your Highness.”
    “Eve.” He watched her chin jut out. One day, he thought, someone was going to take her up on it. “Welcome to Cordina.”
    * * *
    She wasn’t a rude person. Eve assured herself of it as she chose a dress for dinner. In fact, she was considered amiable by just about everyone. True, she could get hard-nosed in business dealings, but she’d always considered that in the blood. She wasn’t rude. Except with Alexander.
    He asked for it, she told herself as she zipped into a snug, strapless dress in vivid blue silk. He was so aloof and condescending. She didn’t have to tolerate that, heir to the throne or not. They were hardly playing prince and the pauper here. Her pedigree might not be royal, but it was unimpeachable.
    She’d gone to the best schools. Maybe she’d hated them, but she’d gone. She’d entertained and been entertained by the rich, powerful and influential all her life. And she’d made something of herself. Not through her family, but through her own skills.
    True, she’d