“What a handsome young man you are.” She cast him a flirtatious smile, and it was all he could do to keep from snatching his hand back. “And who, exactly, are you?”

“My apologies, I have not introduced myself,” he said slowly. “I am Mr. Elliott. Grayson Elliott.”

“Grayson? I knew a Grayson once. Oh, he was quite mad, in a very good way, of course. One never knew what he might do next. I remember once, at a gathering at Lord . . . what was his name?” She paused as if searching her memory; then apparently thought better of what she was about to say, much to Gray’s relief. “It scarcely matters at the moment, I suppose. I shall tell you my stories later, after we have come to know each other much, much better.”

Gray smiled weakly.

“Welcome to my home, Mr. Elliott, Mr. Grayson Elliott,” she said in a grand manner. “I am Lady Briston, Millicent to my close friends, and I do think we are going to be close, close friends.”

“Bernadette,” he said without thinking.

Her eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”

“Lady Briston’s given name is Bernadette.”

Her brows drew together. “Are you certain?”

“Fairly certain.”

“I could have sworn it was Millicent,” she murmured.

A thought struck him, but surely his cousin would have mentioned this. “Unless, of course, you’ve married Lord Briston. Colonel Channing, that is.”

“Dear Lord, no. Absolutely not. Such an idea.” She shook her head. “I am definitely not married. As far as I can recall, although I was once.” She heaved a heartfelt sigh. “It did not go well.”

Gray stared. “Then I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“That’s quite all right.” She patted his arm and cast him a sympathetic smile. “It happens to everyone on occasion. I myself don’t understand, rather more often than not. Let me see if I can explain.” She thought for a moment. “I am Lady Briston. I have a brother-in-law, Colonel Channing. Right, thus far?”

Gray nodded mutely.

“I knew I was right.” She beamed. “And I have three daughters. Two of them look exactly alike, you know.” She shook her head. “It’s most confusing.”

“Lady, er, Briston.” Gray chose his words carefully. “I have been gone for a number of years. Still, there are things—”

“I beg your pardon.” Fortesque stepped briskly into the parlor. Gray wouldn’t have thought it possible from their initial meeting, but the man looked a bit harried. “Lady Briston, I was sent to find you.”

“And so you have, my dear Fortesque.”

The butler slanted a quick glance at Gray. “I was to find you before you greeted any visitors.”

“Then you do need to be on your toes, Fortesque,” she said in a chastising manner. “Why, I have already met Mr. Elliott. Mr. Grayson Elliott. Delightful name, don’t you agree?”