“Nonsense.” She scoffed. “The plan was for him to be called away the day after Christmas.”

“The monetary crisis.” He grimaced.

She nodded. “And she was to go with him.”

“We can’t allow that.”

“And we won’t, if it gets that far, and I’m hoping it doesn’t.”

“Mr. Elliott,” Pruzinsky called from the opposite shore, “it looks safe. Shall I try to walk across?”

“Excellent idea!” Grayson yelled back.

“Oh, do be careful, Count,” Beryl called, then lowered her voice. “I should hate to get my skirts wet fishing you out, although an unfortunate accident—”

“Beryl!”

“I was just thinking aloud. I would never . . .” She paused. “Well, probably never resort to unfortunate accidents.”

“Imagine my relief.”

She ignored him. “Before we came up with the idea of calling him home, Camille had already planned to accompany him back to his country. I would be willing to wager, the count—and I am fairly certain he is neither a count nor is his name Pruzinsky—”

“It was the family name of the last rulers of Avalonia.”

“I know that. Apparently, I read the same book you did.” She rolled her gaze heavenward. “As I was saying, I suspect he never had any intention of allowing that to happen.”

“As he has no country to take her to.”

“Exactly.” Beryl nodded. “So, as Camille was giving him the perfect Christmas and expecting him to propose, I would imagine his plan was similar. A quick marriage and some reason as to why they couldn’t return to his country.”

“Perhaps because it’s been annexed by Russia and his family thrown out?”

“Very good, Grayson. A half-truth is always more believable than an outright lie.”

“And who would know better than you?”

“Exactly.” It was a measure of her concern for Camille that Beryl didn’t bite off his head. Her gaze strayed back to Pruzinsky. “Whoever he is, he is clearly intelligent enough to have come up with this scheme, employing a country that no longer exists and the proper name to go along with it. I wouldn’t have been the least bit suspicious if not for his lack of royal demeanor. No accoutrements, indeed.” She huffed in disdain. “No, he is clever and we cannot underestimate him. If he knows we are the least bit suspicious, he might well seek to elope with her.”

Gray crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “If we’re not going to tell her, then what do you propose we do?”