“And I you, Miss Dent. Do you reside in the area?”

Oh dear, how to answer that one? “Not too terribly far away,” she hedged. “I often take long walks when the weather is fine. Are you also from this area?”

Caroline immediately bit her lip. What a stupid question. If the countess was indeed from the Bournemouth area, it would stand to reason that everyone would know about it. And Caroline would immediately be revealed as an impostor.

Luck, however, was on her side, and the countess said, “Fairwich is in Somerset. But I am coming from London today.”

“Are you? I have never been to our capital. I should like to go someday.”

The countess shrugged. “It grows a bit hot in the summer with all the crowds. There is nothing like the fresh sea air to make one feel whole again.”

Caroline smiled at her. “Indeed. Alas, if it could only mend a broken heart…”

Oh, stupid stupid mouth. Why had she said that? She had meant it as a joke, but now the countess was grinning and looking at her in that maternal sort of way that meant she was going to ask an extremely personal question.

“Oh, dear. Is your heart broken, then?”

“Let's just say it's a bit bruised,” she said, thinking that she was getting far too good at the art of lying. “It's just a boy I've known all my life. Our fathers were hoping for a match, but…” She shrugged, letting the countess draw her own conclusions.

“Pity. You are a darling girl. I should introduce you to my brother. He lives quite nearby.”

“Your brother?” Caroline croaked, suddenly taking in the countess's coloring. Black hair. Gray eyes.

Oh, no.

“Yes. He is Mr. Blake Ravenscroft of Seacrest Manor. Do you know him?”

Caroline practically choked on her tongue, then managed to say, “We have been introduced.”

“I am on my way to visit him right now. Are we very far from his home? I have never been.”

“No. No, it's—it's just over the hill there.” She pointed in the general direction of Seacrest Manor, then quickly brought her hand down when she realized it was shaking. What was she going to do? She couldn't remain at Seacrest Manor with Blake's sister in residence. Oh, damn and blast that man to hell and back! Why hadn't he told her his sister would be paying a visit?

Unless he didn't know. Oh, no. Blake was going to be furious. Caroline swallowed nervously and said, “I didn't realize Mr. Ravenscroft had a sister.”

The countess waved her hand in a manner that reminded Caroline instantly of Blake. “He's a wretch, always ignoring us. Our older brother just had a daughter. I've come to tell him the news.”

“Oh. I'm—I'm—I'm certain he'll be delighted.”

“Then you're the only one. I am quite certain he'll be beyond annoyed.”

Caroline blinked furiously, not understanding this woman one bit. “I—I—I beg your pardon?”

“David and Sarah had a daughter. Their fourth daughter, which means that Blake is still second in line for the viscountcy.”