“Perhaps not, but indulge me.” Gray studied the other man closely. “I think you planned to marry Lady Lydingham, gain control of her fortune and be called home to your country. Perhaps a monetary crisis or something along those lines.”

“A monetary crisis?” Dunstan’s eyes widened thoughtfully. “I hadn’t thought of that. That’s very good.”

Gray ignored him. “And you would then vanish forever.” He narrowed his gaze. “Leaving her alone and penniless.”

Dunstan squirmed in his seat. “It sounds so bad when you say it that way.”

“I’d say it’s bad enough to put you behind bars for the rest of your life.”

“But that’s not going to happen, is it?” A sly look crossed the actor’s face. “I know things, Mr. Elliott. All is not as it appears here at Millworth Manor.”

“Oh?” Gray was afraid of that. In spite of the flaws in Dunstan’s plan, a man clever enough to come up with it, plus one who truly did understand English, would certainly have noticed a few discrepancies among the company gathered for Christmas.

“I am not the only one who is not who he says he is.” He narrowed his eyes and studied Gray. “I have no idea who you really are, but I’m fairly certain you are not a cousin. Nor are those two ladies who arrived the other day your mother and sister. I have my doubts about the delectable Delilah as well.”

“I see.” Gray smiled slowly. Dunstan didn’t know everything, but he did know enough to make him dangerous to Camille’s future. “Before we go any further, you should know I am a man of business. I am well used to making deals of one sort or another. And I am prepared to deal with you tonight.”

“You are?” Suspicion sounded in Dunstan’s voice.

“I am indeed.” He picked up a large envelope from the desk. “I am prepared to offer you one hundred pounds to leave this house by morning without saying so much as a single word to Lady Lydingham. I have also included a one-way passage to America.”

“I don’t want to go to America.”

“It’s the land of opportunity, Dunstan. Opportunity you will find sadly lacking, should you stay in England. Furthermore”—he pinned the actor with a cold look—“what has happened here at Millworth Manor stays here. If I should hear the faintest whisper about what has occurred in this house during your visit, make no mistake, regardless of how many oceans there may be between us, I will hunt you down. Believe me, Dunstan, I have the resources to do so. And when I am through with you”—his voice hardened—“then I shall turn whatever is left of you over to the authorities.”

Dunstan stared at him. “Surely, you can do better than a hundred pounds.”