“At this point in their lives, however, they are more than capable of making their own decisions. And I expect them to do so. I am not one of those mothers who interferes. My daughters are all intelligent, financially independent, and they are free to do exactly as they wish. Delilah is still trying to decide exactly what that is, of course, but she is still fairly young. Beryl’s second marriage has turned out not at all as she expected and she appears quite happy. As for Camille, aside from not yet having conquered her tendency toward impulse, she, too, is searching, I think.”

“Perhaps she has found what she is looking for.”

“Goodness, Grayson, if you really believed that, you wouldn’t be here.” She glanced at him. “Why are you here?”

“I am simply trying to lend my assistance to a friend.”

“Yes, that was my guess.” She paused. “We can’t allow her to marry him if he’s not what he says he is.”

“What happened to your daughters being more than capable of making their own decisions?”

“ ‘Capable’ and ‘correct’ are two entirely different things. Can I trust you to stop this?”

“Why me?”

“For two reasons, I suppose. One, it keeps me from being an interfering mother.”

He laughed. “Well, then, I have no choice.”

“Why have you not declared yourself?” she said in an offhand manner.

“What?” He stared at her.

“You heard me.” She sighed. “I am not a stupid woman, dear boy. Camille may not see it, but I do. I suspect Beryl does as well.” She paused. “Although she is obviously not pleased about it.”

“About what?” Caution edged his words.

“About reason number two. About the way you cannot take your eyes off Camille. About the look in your eyes when your gaze settles on her, or when her gaze meets yours. I doubt that anyone, besides Beryl and myself, has noticed. They do not forgive easily—my daughters, that is. Nor do I.” She sipped her brandy thoughtfully. “I suspect it is one of those things that is passed from mother to daughter, from generation to generation. Nonetheless, we expect forgiveness to be earned.”

“I am trying.”

“Yes, of course, by being her friend. And is that going well?”

“I was able to explain your appearance.”

“My, you are quick-witted. No doubt that explains how you made that lovely fortune of yours.” She paused for a long moment. “I wouldn’t have stopped you.”

He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

“No, I’m sure you don’t.” She heaved a resigned sigh. “I have encouraged my daughters, steered them in the proper direction, as it were, but I have never forced them to do anything. I daresay, I couldn’t have, even if I tried. Perhaps you never noticed, but they are all annoyingly strong-willed.” She smiled in a smug manner. “Yet something else apparently passed from mother to daughter.”