“Believe this, then.” He leaned closer and met his cousin’s gaze directly. “The possibility of winning Camille’s heart is the furthest thing from my mind. Indeed, until I saw her again, I thought anything between the two of us was all over and done with and in the past.”

“You don’t lie well, you know.”

Gray sighed. “Certainly, there might be some affection, but no more than that of, oh, a brother.”

“Are you sure?”

Gray paused, then nodded. “Quite.”

“Don’t muck with her life until you are.” A warning sounded in his cousin’s voice. “You did it once, don’t do it again.”

And she was still angry.

“Does she know you are now quite wealthy?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. Nor do I wish her to know.”

“Why?”

“I’d rather money didn’t play a part in this.” He shrugged. “That’s all.”

“I see. And isn’t that interesting?”

“Why?”

“It just is.” Win paused. “Well, regardless of whether you wish to be her friend or something more, the last thing that will improve your standing in Camille’s eyes is for you to tell her she’s been deceived by another man. You need to make her aware of the truth without making her feel like a fool. You were her friend once, you need to be her friend now. At least until you decide whether or not friendship is enough.”

“That makes a certain amount of sense, I suppose.” In spite of his words, was friendship really all he wanted? Still, Win was right. For now, Gray would be her friend.

“Well, then.” Win crossed the room, picked up his glass and drained the last of his whisky. “Your bag should be packed by now. And we should be off.”

“ ‘We’?” Gray said slowly. “What do you mean we?”

“Why, I am coming with you, of course.”

“Camille does not need another cousin or a brother.”

“While I heartily disagree, and I hate to pass up an opportunity to be part of this theatrical enterprise, I have no intention of adding to the cast.” Win smiled an altogether too mischievous smile. It did not bode well. “I am simply paying a call on Lady Lydingham and her family to wish them felicitations of the season. As any good neighbor would do.”

“You could have delivered the basket,” Gray pointed out.

“And then where would you be?” Win started for the door. “Besides, I should like to meet this prince. I am an excellent judge of character, you know.”

“As evidenced by the growing number of fiancées,” Gray said mildly.

“Exactly.” Win nodded. “But I am most astute when it comes to men.”

“You would have to be.”

Upon reflection, it wasn’t a bad idea to get Win’s observations of the prince. Besides, the theatrical machinations at Millworth Manor were just too delicious not to share.