“I think she looks like she is enjoying herself, albeit reluctantly.” Delilah laughed at something Grayson said and Camille’s stomach lurched. She ignored it. “Thankfully, Grayson is making an effort to entertain her.”

Beryl raised a brow. “Jealous?”

“Don’t be absurd,” she said coolly. “He is simply trying to be helpful. And I am most grateful.”

“Don’t be too grateful,” Beryl warned. “Don’t forget what he—”

“I won’t.” Camille’s tone was sharper than she had intended. “I have not forgotten anything, nor do I intend to. He is simply doing what he said he would do. He is being my friend.”

“Well, I still don’t trust him.”

“Beryl, dear.” She smiled. “You don’t have to.”

Beryl considered her for a moment, then sighed. “Good Lord.”

“What?”

“Nothing. No indeed. Not a thing.” She shook her head. “Well, I should rescue Mother, or perhaps Nikolai—not that they look like they need rescuing. But it is my turn to flirt with the prince.” She squared her shoulders. “Not a bad way to spend the evening, really. He is most enjoyable to look at, and I do love his accent. All that smiling and nodding does tend to wear on one, however.”

Camille laughed. “Your sacrifice is most appreciated. And I shall begin making amends with our sister.”

“You’re such a better person than I am.”

“Someone has to be.”

Beryl took a step, then turned back to her sister. “Where did you get this idea? About Delilah, that is?”

“Grayson mentioned it,” she said in an offhand manner.

“Yes, he would, wouldn’t he?” Beryl said under her breath, smiled halfheartedly and crossed the room to join Nikolai and the ladies.

What on earth did she mean by that? Her gaze settled on Grayson and Delilah. One couldn’t fault him for being observant. Or for being a genuinely nice person. And he was truly trying to provide his assistance. Oh, certainly he had arranged for the influx of orphans, and that did lead one to wonder if he was trying to help or hinder her efforts. Regardless, it could have been nothing more than a stupid mistake on his part. Thinking orphans would add to the farce—how utterly absurd. But he hadn’t shirked responsibility when she had handed over the boys to him. In truth, he had behaved exactly as the doting uncle he was supposed to be. Indeed, if he hadn’t seemed to be enjoying the children quite so much, Camille would have considered him the best actor in the cast.

Except for Camille herself, of course. All evening she had walked a fine line with Nikolai between friendly flirtation and obvious avoidance. It was not at all easy and now her head ached from the effort. Once again, she sent silent thanks in Miss Murdock’s direction. The young actress did an excellent job of monopolizing Nikolai’s attentions.