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“Maybe? Maybe?” His mother had bristled “Don’t be silly She is and you know it Why not talk with her and see if she wants the position?”

Keir had given Mary Elizabeth a brisk salute “Your wish is my command, your ladyship”

“Keir” His mother had reached for his hand and clasped it in hers “I don’t mean to tell you what to do”

“Of course you do, Ma,” he’d said with a gentle sirl’s perfect for the job I’ll talk to her this afternoon”

Dawn had leaped at the opportunity though, just for a hly visible position, so had clouded her eyes

“Is that a problem?” he’d asked carefully

“No,” she’d said quickly, “not at all” Then she’d shtly for co, well, visible Nobody really noticesthe cards”

“Are you concerned about clothes? I should haveallowance to Special Services employees”

“Oh, that’s lovely” Still, she’d hesitated “I’ll only deal with VIPs I ht?”

“Right,” he’d replied, while his brain clicked away at what he’d seen in her eyes again at that last question She was afraid He wasn’t a bettingup in a casino had taken care of any interest in ga to bet a bundle on that She was afraid, but of what? Or was it, of whom?

Keir looked over at the elegant alcove where VIPs could use a special phone to ring for assistance Daas standing at the French Provincial desk tucked into the alcove, her sht, her strawberry-blond hair swept back neatly fro robes Keir recognized hi that the prince hih the doors any minute accompanied by a small army of wives and servants He made a mental note to check back in a couple of hours and see how things were going, but he got caught up in the usual proble and it was a little after noon before he ain The Special Services alcove was empty so he strolled into the behind-scenes office Jean was at the desk, just hanging up the phone She looked up, saw Keir and smiled

“Hi, boss”

“Jeannie How’re things going?”

“Oh,” she said, sighing dramatically, “the usual”

Keir grinned “That bad, huh?”