She turned her attention to the older pair. “I’m not sure ‘proficient’ is the right word. ‘Adequate’ might be better. Neither has fallen, at any rate.” Mrs. Montgomery-Wells could be heard giggling like a schoolgirl and Mr. Henderson looked to be having a jolly time as well. Camille smiled reluctantly. “They do seem to be having an enjoyable time of it.”

“No doubt reliving more youthful days.” He chuckled. “Which I can well understand. I haven’t skated in years.”

“And yet you haven’t fallen either.”

“Nor have you.”

“You should congratulate me for that as well. I can’t remember the last time I was on skates.” She shook her head. “Odd how things you haven’t given a second thought to come back to you when you need them.”

“This does bring back fond memories, you know.” He made a fast rotation on the flat of his blade to skate backward, facing her.

She stifled a smile. “Now you’re just trying to show off.”

“And doing a fine job of it, I’d say.” He grinned. The cold had reddened his cheeks and his dark eyes sparkled. Without warning, the years vanished and she was back to those long-ago days when she had ignored how much she had adored him because they were never meant to be anything more than friends. For a moment, she saw the fun-loving, adventurous boy he’d once been. Now, with the passage of years, he’d grown into the handsome promise of his youth, with a fine veneer of intelligence and experience that made him dashing and interesting and . . . seductive. Blasted man. “But if I really wanted to show off, I would challenge you to a race.”

“Nonsense, Grayson.” She sniffed. “We are not children now.”

“Even so, I daresay, I could still beat you.”

“You only beat me then because I allowed you to do so.”

“That’s not exactly as I remember it.”

“Age is no doubt addling your mind.”

He laughed. “I beat you then because I was stronger and faster. And you were a mere girl.”

“As I am no longer a mere girl,” she said, “should I wish to engage in such a childish pursuit, I have no doubt I could best you handily.”

“I would be willing to take the chance.” His eyes shimmered with laughter. “And I would win.”

“Not if I threw a stone in your path to trip you up.” She smiled sweetly.

He gasped. “That wouldn’t be fair.”

“Fair would be if you had to skate in skirts. As you would not, I would feel no qualms whatsoever about taking any advantage that came my way. Fair or not, I would still enjoy triumphing over you.” She shrugged. “All is fair in love and war, you know.”

“And what is this?” His smile remained, but his tone was abruptly sober. “Love or war?”