“Where is she going to get one?”

Gray leaned forward in his chair and met his cousin’s gaze. “She’s hired one.”

Win stared. “She’s what?”

“You were right, Lady Briston and Delilah are in Paris. So Camille has hired a group of actors to play the parts of her family, as well as all the other servants.”

Win gasped. “My God.”

Gray nodded. “That was my—”

“That’s brilliant!”

“Brilliant?” Gray drew his brows together. “It’s mad is what it is.”

“That too.” Win waved off the comment. “But no less brilliant for the insanity of it.”

“I suppose one could look at it that way,” Gray said wryly.

“And you will have a front-row seat at what will surely be the best farce of the season.” Win paused. “Which brings us back to how you have that seat.”

“It’s quite simple, really.” Gray settled back in his chair and raised his glass. “I am to play the role of her cousin, visiting for Christmas.”

“Camille wants you to be a part of this?”

“Absolutely not. She’s furious about it, but I convinced her I could be of help.”

“I still don’t understand—”

“I’m not sure exactly, but somehow, when I was introduced to her prince, the words just came out of my mouth as if of their own accord.” Gray grinned. “It’s the spirit of the theater, you know. When one forgets one’s lines or has no lines to start with, one finds it necessary to improvise.” His grin widened. “I improvised and did a damn fine job of it, if I do say so myself.”

“Good Lord.” Laughter danced in Win’s eyes. “May I be a cousin too?”

“No,” Gray said firmly. “One unexpected cousin is enough.”

“Then I could be her brother.” He set down his glass and jumped to his feet. “Her long-lost brother returning home at last for Christmas. Oh, the drama, the pathos. I would be excellent in the part.” He swept a bow to an imaginary audience. “I can hear the applause now.”

“No.” Gray laughed.

“I would have been magnificent on the stage, you know.” Win sank back into his chair. “And I would like to offer my assistance in this endeavor. Whether to Camille or to you, I’m not sure.”

Gray narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

“Because you’re my cousin, my dearest friend, even if you have treated me abominably—”

Gray snorted.

“And I only wish to see you happy. If you have now decided, after all this time, to truly pursue this woman—as you failed, again abominably, once before—then you have my full support and all the assistance I can render.”

“You have my thanks, but should I decide to do so, I am confident I can manage without—”