His otherwise impassive face was a study in masculine angles, from the firm jaw and smooth-shaven cheeks to the dark eyebrows and rather haughty nose. He had toffee-brown hair, the strands as perfectly groomed as the rest of him. Crushed to him, she felt the strong beating of his heart against her bosom. The imprint of his tall muscled form and long legs pressed into her.

That melting sensation coursed through her again. It permeated the deepest parts of her body in a way that threatened to befuddle her brain. They stood as closely as lovers, a scandalous pose for a woman of six-and-twenty in the arms of an unknown man.

Natalie pulled free and retreated several steps. With luck, he wouldn’t notice the flush in her cheeks. “I beg your pardon, sir! I was in a hurry and not watching where I was going. It’s entirely my fault.”

“Let me guess. Has Leo vanished again?”

The suggestion of a smile on his lips disarmed her. “Unfortunately so. I thought he might be hiding in the parlor, but he wasn’t.” She oughtn’t tell her woes to a perfect stranger, but the confession tumbled out regardless. “I took my eyes off him upstairs for a few minutes, and when I turned back around, he was gone. I have to find him or we’ll miss the mail coach.”

“I see. Where is your husband? Can he not help you locate the boy?”

“Husband? Oh no, I’m not married, I…” Natalie paused, annoyed with herself for blurting out such personal information when she was traveling alone with a young child. The man was regarding her intently, and the last thing she needed was to be pestered by unwanted male attention. “I’m Leo’s guardian. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must hurry.”

She tried to slip past the man, but he stepped into her path. “Have you any idea as to where he might have gone?”

“Knowing Leo, he could be anywhere. But he hasn’t eaten yet, so I’ll start in the kitchen.”

“Allow me to assist you.”

The thought of being accompanied by this modish gentleman dismayed Natalie. He would only distract her when time was of the essence. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary,” she said firmly. “I’m sure you’re eager to be on your way this morning.”

“I’m in no rush. You look around inside the inn, and I’ll check the stables. Boys generally have an affinity for horses. We’ll meet outside in ten minutes to compare notes.”

He turned on his heel and strode away through the crowded taproom. A number of guests turned their heads to watch him, the buzz of conversation noticeably increasing. The younger women in particular gawked, and one stout maiden even jumped up to curtsy to him. He afforded her a polite nod before his broad-shouldered form disappeared out the door.

Natalie pursed her lips. He certainly had an air of authority that attracted attention. What a vexing man, to interfere as if he were the one in charge! Yet she had to concede it was obliging of him to search the stables. It wouldn’t surprise her if Leo had slipped outside to watch the grooms at work. Back in America, the boy often could be found at the blacksmith’s or the farrier’s workshop.