“We are not.” Camille forced a laugh. “We are no more interesting than anyone else’s family. Quite proper and really, on occasion, even somewhat dull.”

“Nonsense, Camille.” Grayson shook his head. “There is nothing the least bit dull about this family.”

“And what is it you English say?” Nikolai thought for a moment. “Ah yes. The more, the merrier.”

Camille shook her head in confusion. “The more . . .”

“I assume, as a member of your family, Mr. Elliott has come—”

“For Christmas.” Grayson’s wicked grin widened, if possible.

Camille stared in disbelief.

“Yes, indeed.” Laughter flashed in Grayson’s eyes. “I am Camille’s cousin and I’ve come for Christmas.”

Five

Five

Camille’s eyes widened with a look one could only describe as horror. “What do you mean you’ve come for Christmas?”

“Now, now, Camille, you needn’t look so shocked.” Gray resisted the urge to chuckle.

He wasn’t entirely sure why he had introduced himself as her cousin, as her poor relation, although it was apparent to him she had no idea of his financial state. His announcement that he would be staying for Christmas was as much a surprise to him as it was to her. Still, now that he had said it, he quite liked the idea. If Camille insisted on going through with this theatrical farce of hers, the least he could do, as her old friend, was provide his assistance. He owed her that much really. And what better way to help than by residing in her family’s home, where he could be close at hand? Besides, while he hadn’t realized it before she had walked into the room, there was unfinished business here. He and Camille were a play without a last act, and it was past time to see how it would end. The moment he saw her again, he knew the final curtain hadn’t fallen, not for him.

“It’s simply a surprise, that’s all.” She could barely choke out the words.

“A delightful surprise, no doubt,” the prince said in an accent Gray couldn’t quite place. Hungarian, perhaps? Or Russian? Regardless, as he’d never met anyone from the Kingdom of Greater Avalonia, it sounded very much as one would think it would sound. Rather perfect, really. Still, there was something about the accent that struck him as odd. Too perfect, perhaps?

“ ‘Delightful’ is not exactly the word I had in mind.” A feigned smile graced Camille’s lips, but her livid gaze fixed on Gray. “Stunned is perhaps more accurate.”

“I know my presence is the last thing you expected—”

Camille choked.

“But when I heard the rest of the family was to be here, how could I fail to join them?” Gray addressed the prince. “You see, I have been abroad for a number of years and have only recently returned to England.”

The prince nodded. “There is nothing better than being surrounded by one’s family for Christmas.”