“I was just about to encourage him to relate some of his adventures. You should join us, my lord.” Miss Murdock gazed up at Stillwell with a look that invited more than his attendance at a chat about travel. Camille would have to speak to Fortesque about curbing the actress’s natural tendencies toward flirtation.

“I should like nothing better,” Stillwell said cautiously, staring at Miss Murdock.

“If you recall,” Beryl began, “my sister Delilah has always been fascinated by travel. Haven’t you, dear?”

“Oh, my . . . yes.” Miss Murdock fluttered her lashes at Stillwell. “There are all sorts of places I long to visit. Why, there is nothing more stimulating than travel.” She turned her attention toward Nikolai. “Don’t you agree, Your—my lord?”

The prince smiled. “I am constantly learning and encountering something new and unexpected.”

“I confess, save for a grand tour in my youth,” Stillwell began, “I have traveled very little.”

“That, my boy, is what’s wrong with this generation,” Mr. Henderson began. “Why, in my day . . .”

“Do tell us about your day.” Stillwell grinned with delight. “Colonel.”

Mr. Henderson frowned at the interruption. “Yes, yes, now, where was I?” He paused, then continued. “Ah yes, when I was in the service of Her . . .”

Camille breathed a sigh of relief. At least her uninvited guests were more capable of carrying off this ruse than her professional actors. Perhaps Grayson would be of help, after all. She caught his eye and nodded discreetly in the direction of the tea cart; then slipped away to the other side of the room. She poured Grayson a cup of tea and handed it to him when he joined her.

“I would be most appreciative if you were to encourage Stillwell to be on his way.” She addressed him in a low voice, but kept her gaze on the group across the room. “I don’t trust him.”

“Under normal circumstances, I would commend you for your caution.” Grayson sipped his tea and studied the gathering. “But Win is determined to be of assistance in your endeavor.”

She huffed in exasperation. “Why?”

“He feels he has done you a disservice,” Grayson said coolly. “My fault entirely, I’m afraid. However inadvertently, I led him to believe, all those years ago, when you broke my heart—”

“When I did what?” Her voice rose.

“Shh.” He nodded at the others. “Unless you want your prince to wonder why you are being sharp with your beloved cousin.”

“You’re not my beloved cousin,” she snapped, but lowered her voice, nonetheless, and glanced at the group. Indeed, Nikolai looked in her direction, speculation on his face. She smiled in a reassuring manner and he returned his attention to whatever Mr. Henderson was going on about. “What do you mean—when I broke your heart?”

“It scarcely matters now. Besides, you said you didn’t want to speak about the past.” He paused thoughtfully. “Which is probably for the best, all things considered.”