Free The Playboy Prince by Nora Roberts Page B

working order now was for care and cleverness rather than a rash assassination attempt.
    In any case, she knew Deboque wasn’t as interested in Bennett as he was in Alexander, and in Alexander not so much as in Armand. He wouldn’t settle for the second in line to the throne after so long a wait.
    Still, she closed her hand over the handle of her bag. She shifted, only a matter of inches, but Bennett’s body was now more than half shielded by hers.
    Had the man been sent with a message for her? Hannah wondered. Or had he simply been ordered to stay close and watch? Instinct told her it was the second. Casually, she swept the crowd again. Her eyes met his and held for only a fraction of a second. There was an acknowledgment, but no signal. Hannah let her gaze move on, knowing they’d meet within a few days at the museum.
    The pretty ceremony with its brisk military music and banners continued with a tour of the ship and an inspection of the crew. Hannah walked with the admiral’s wife as Bennett was led down the line of officers and seamen. Now and then he stopped to comment or ask a personal question of one of the men. More, she saw that he listened to the answers. Even a casual observer could have seen that he was given more than respect due his rank by the men he greeted. There was love, the kind Hannah was aware only men could give men.
    Though she was certain Bennett had seen enough of ships to last a lifetime, he toured the bridge, theofficers’ quarters and the galleys with apparent fascination. The ship was as neat as a parlor, utilitarian certainly, but freshly scrubbed and without a sign of peeling paint or rust.
    Bennett moved quickly through the ship, without seeming to hurry over the decks. There were questions that had to be asked, compliments that were deserved, but he knew duffel bags were packed and waiting. He clasped hands with the captain again, aware that the man had every right to be proud of his ship and his men. As he started down the gangplank, the cheers rose up again. Bennett had to wonder if they were for him or because the ceremonies were finally over and the men could go ashore.
    Protocol demanded that he be escorted back through headquarters. It was here that Hannah began to sense his impatience to be off. Still, he was gracious, shaking hands, kissing hands, exchanging a last pleasantry. It wasn’t until he was seated in his own car again that he let out a low oath.
    “I beg your pardon, sir?”
    Bennett merely patted Hannah’s hand before he started the engine. “Four hours was a long time to keep you on your feet. Thank you for bearing with me.”
    “On the contrary, I found it fascinating.” Nothing had ever seemed more wonderful than the wind blowing on her face again as the convertible picked up speed. “The tour of the ship was particularly educational. It was clever, wasn’t it, for the ship’s cook to frame a recipe for crepes where the flour was measured in pounds rather than cups?”
    “Food becomes a priority after a few months at sea.” He glanced over, surprised she’d been so well entertained by a ship and several pompous speeches. “If I’d known you were really interested I wouldn’t have hurried things along quite so much.”
    “I suppose it becomes all routine and a bit boring for you after a while.”
    “I was thinking of the men. All they really wanted was to get ashore to their wives or lovers—or both.” He was grinning when he turned his head toward her. “You can’t imagine what four months at sea is like when the only woman you see is in a glossy photo with staple marks in the middle.”
    Her lips twitched, but she managed to hold the smile to a bare acknowledgment. “No, I’m sure I can’t. ButI think you enjoyed your time at sea, Bennett. It showed in the way you spoke with the men and looked at the ship.”
    He said nothing for a moment, surprised and not displeased that she had understood that so quickly. “I was more of an officer and