“But I thought . . . everyone thought . . . he was dead.”

“That’s where it gets a bit complicated.”

Win arched a skeptical brow. “That’s where?”

“It seems that twenty years ago, Lord Briston chose a life of wandering the world as opposed to one of domesticity. A decision he soon came to regret, apparently, but Lady Briston decided it was better to have his family think he was dead rather than know he had deserted them.”

“Good Lord.” Win thought for a moment. “Do his daughters know?”

“Beryl found some of his letters a few years ago. Camille and Delilah don’t know. And it would be best if you kept this to yourself for now, although I doubt his resurrection will stay a secret for long.”

“Of course. Who would believe me, anyway?” Win shook his head slowly. “That is an unexpected twist.”

“You were right, by the way,” Gray said in an offhand manner. “About my feelings for Camille. Friendship is not enough.”

“Yet another shocking revelation. And does she feel the same?”

“I don’t know. I hope so. I think she does, even if she hasn’t admitted it yet. We had a long talk last night, although ‘talk’ might not be the right word for it.” He had no desire to tell Win everything else that had happened between them. “I’m not sure if we laid the past to rest or simply dredged it up again. Nonetheless, I am oddly optimistic and determined.” After all, she had admitted she had loved him, and she had never said she had stopped. “I do not intend to give up this time, Win. I have wasted entirely too many years.”

“What about the false prince?”

“He is still a problem.” Gray settled back in his chair. “I’m afraid she hasn’t come to her senses about him yet, although she has not appeared overly affectionate toward him. Indeed, if I didn’t know better, I’d think she was avoiding him altogether.”

“Regardless, you’d best get rid of him.”

“Excellent idea. And how do you propose I do that?”

“Ask and ye shall receive, old man.” Win grinned and rose to his feet. He moved to the desk, picked up a file Gray hadn’t noticed and returned. “This is why I’m here.”

“What is it?”

“Inside this file you’ll find a photograph of an actor named Bernard Dunstan and an affidavit from the photographer confirming that fact. It seems that said photographer, in an effort to display his skills, on occasion hires models or actors to be his subject in photographs he then displays at his studio. Fortunately for you, I had a photograph taken there just a few months ago.”

“And?”

“And take a look.” He handed Gray the file and sat back down.

Gray flipped open the file and stared into the smiling face of Prince Nikolai Pruzinsky, of the Kingdom of Greater Avalonia. “This is—”