“I imagine the mountains and valleys are still there,” Win said absently. “Apparently, the crown prince had a younger brother.” Win raised his gaze from the book in his hand and looked pointedly at his cousin. “Prince Nikolai.”

“Then he is legitimate,” Gray said slowly.

“Not unless he’s a descendent.” Win snapped the book closed. “This Prince Nikolai would be well into his eighties.”

“But there is no Kingdom of Greater Avalonia?”

“So it would seem.”

“Camille thinks she’s going to marry him and live in his castle in Avalonia.” Gray tossed back the last of his drink and stood. “She needs to know the truth.”

“Perhaps, but you don’t really know the truth as of yet, do you?”

“Of course I do. You just said—”

“I said his country no longer exists, whether or not he is really a prince is another matter altogether.” Win slipped the book back into its spot on the shelf. “And, as Camille’s mother, through the years, has long welcomed homeless royals, you have no idea what Camille does and does not know about this particular prince. Even though his country is gone, it doesn’t mean he’s penniless. He might well have a royal fortune. Many deposed monarchs do, you know. Family money spirited out of a country as a precaution against revolution. For that matter, he may well have a castle somewhere in Europe as well.” He shook his head. “If I have learned nothing else from four fiancées—”

“Four?” Gray stared. “I thought it was three.”

“Three, four, one loses count.” Win shrugged. “As I was saying, I know women. They do not like to have their mistakes pointed out to them, nor do they like to be proved wrong. However, as you will be staying in Millworth Manor, it should be easy for you to discern the truth.”

“And if he is a fraud”—Gray narrowed his eyes—“I shall make her aware of it.”

“And she’ll be so grateful, she’ll throw herself into your arms?”

“That had occurred to me.”

“You weren’t listening, were you?” Win cast him a pitying look. “Do you wish to win her affections?”

“I really hadn’t considered it. I simply wish to . . . to protect her. As one friend would look out for the best interests of another. As her friend, I feel it’s, oh, a duty on my part.”

Win’s brow rose in disbelief. “A duty?”

“You may rest assured that is my only desire.” Gray hesitated. “Admittedly, there is something as yet unfinished between us, but there’s nothing more to it than that.”

Win stared. “I don’t believe you.”