“Both,” she said without thinking; then realized what she had said, turned and skated off. Whatever possessed her to say that? Perhaps it had been love once, but now . . . now it was . . . what?

“You’re not getting away that easily!” he called after her.

She skated faster, but he was ahead of her in a flash. He turned and stopped abruptly, his blades shaving the ice in what might have been an impressive display under other circumstances. He was too close; and before she could veer away, she slid into him. He caught her in his arms and stared down at her.

“It’s not war, Camille.”

Her heartbeat quickened. “It’s not love.”

“It could be.” His gaze bored into hers. “It was once.”

She started to deny it, but what was the point? Even if she’d never told him. Even if he’d never given her the chance. “ ‘Once’ was a very long time ago.”

He studied her closely. “Your sister said I broke your heart.”

“And you said I broke yours.” She stared into his dark eyes.

“You did,” he said simply.

“Oh, come now.” She pulled out of his arms. “One would think a man with a broken heart would do something, anything, to—”

“Lady Lydingham!” One of her footmen ran toward the pond waving frantically. Odd, she didn’t remember any of them having bright red hair.

“Excellent timing,” Gray said under his breath.

“Indeed, it is,” she snapped. “But you are right about one thing. We do need to talk about the past.” She nodded and skated toward the footman waiting at the edge of the pond.

“Lady Lydingham.” The poor man struggled to catch his breath. He must have run all the way. And was he wearing a wig? “Lady Dunwell says you must return immediately. She said it’s of dire importance.”

“Of course she does.” Camille knew the moment she relaxed her guard, disaster would strike. She stepped off the ice.

“What is it?” Grayson said behind her.

“I don’t know,” she said sharply, grabbing his arm to steady herself while she removed her blades. It struck her how natural and familiar it seemed to lean on him for balance. She shoved the thought aside. There were far more pressing matters to concern herself with at the moment. She glanced at the footman. What could possibly be of dire importance? Nikolai and everyone else in the “family” were here. “I can’t leave now. Are you sure it’s important?”

“She said she would have my head if you did not return at once.” The young man’s eyes widened. “Pardon my saying, my lady, but I think she meant it.”

“No doubt,” Grayson muttered.

“You can make yourself useful by staying with the others. Here, take these.” She handed Grayson her skates. “They’ll only slow me down.” She nodded at the servant. “Come along.” They started back toward the house.