Whose side was he on?

Though it was necessary to leash her temper, she could still make her feelings known. “Lord Godwin, your grandson asked if he might keep Audrey’s portrait in the nursery. The duke gave permission for it to be hung in Leo’s bedchamber. I presume you’ve no objection.”

That proud, patrician face seemed to pale. His lips thinned and his jaw tightened. He stared at her for a moment as rain tapped against the window glass. Without bothering to answer, he turned his sour attention to the solicitor and abruptly changed the subject.

“Musgrave, you’ve raised an issue with the boy’s papers.”

The man adjusted his pince-nez on the bridge of his nose. “Yes, it’s about this affidavit in regard to young Leopold. It is my understanding that birth records in America are handled in much the same way as here in England. So why, Miss Fanshawe, have you not provided a notarized copy of the parish register?”

This was the question she’d expected. “As I told the earl, Leo’s parents perished in a raid at their mission on the frontier. The attackers burned a number of buildings, including the log church where the register was kept. Leo’s baptismal record was destroyed in that fire. My only recourse was to have a lawyer draw up a document with my sworn statement attesting to Leo’s identity.”

“That is highly irregular, to say the least. And who are these two witnesses who signed this affidavit? John Condit and Henry Clay.”

“They are well-respected congressmen who were friends of my father’s. Mr. Condit is a senator, while Mr. Clay is presently the House Speaker.”

“Were they acquainted with Lady Audrey?” the solicitor asked.

Natalie shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not. However, they’ve known me since I was a girl. They respect my sworn word.”

“I see.” Musgrave looked down his snub nose at her. “Then his lordship must take into consideration the lack of any actual evidence to support your story. And there is no guarantee, either, as to whether or not these witnesses are themselves reliable.”

“In America, they are held to be extremely reliable. We may not have an aristocracy, but we do have honorable leaders who are highly respected in their communities.”

Hadrian had been prowling around the study, but now he stopped to say, “Might I add, Miss Fanshawe’s father served as a senator for a number of years before his death. As his hostess, she had occasion to meet many high-ranking officials in the government.”

Natalie would have preferred for her word to be believed on its own merits. Yet if a paternal reference was what it took for the earl to accept her sworn statement, then so be it.

“Politicians,” Godwin said with a snort. “If they are anything at all like the elected members of the Commons—”

A sharp rapping on the door cut him off. He cast an irritated glance in that direction. “Who the devil is interrupting us now?”

Hadrian started forward. “I’ll see.”