The earl stood in stony silence, though he had the good grace to glance away. Lady Godwin’s mouth flapped with speechless outrage. Lord Wymark smirked in that sly manner of his. As for Hadrian, she wouldn’t give the traitor the satisfaction of even looking at him.

“Miss Fanshawe!” Musgrave chided in sanctimonious horror. “Do mind your tongue before your betters.”

“They are not my betters, and it would behoove you to recognize they are not yours, either,” Natalie snapped. “Lord Godwin, you needn’t waste your precious gold on an investigator. I shall be taking Leo back to America at once. And rest assured, you’ll never hear from either of us ever again.”

In high dudgeon, she turned and marched toward the door, only to find the duke with his hand on the knob, blocking her exit. She was sorely tempted to kick the scoundrel in the shins if he tried to stop her.

As she lifted her chin to glare at his diabolically handsome face, he wasn’t even looking at her. His attention was on the earl. “Go ahead and send that investigator, Godwin. Miss Fanshawe and Leo needn’t depart England just yet. They can come to London to stay with me.”

Chapter 16

Noting the dangerous flash of those gorgeous green eyes, Hadrian caught hold of Natalie’s arm and hustled her out of the study before his stated intent could sink fully into her consciousness. His family wore wide-eyed expressions that ranged from shocked to scandalized, but he didn’t give a damn what they thought. He cared only about Natalie’s reaction.

The explosion came almost at once.

The instant the door closed behind them, she jerked herself free and spun to face him. “How dare you presume to speak for me! I most certainly am not going to London with you. I wouldn’t suffer your company long enough to walk with you to the end of this corridor. Good-bye—and good riddance!”

The finality of her tone struck him deeply, as did the contempt on her face. It was a stark contrast to the way she’d regarded him the previous night, with softness in her eyes and a warm smile on her lips. His chest squeezed with the fear that she might never again look at him that way. Had he pushed matters too far just now?

She had to be made to understand the necessity of what he had done. That he wanted to protect her and Leo, to keep them safe under his care.

As she set off at a brisk stride down the echoing passageway, Hadrian paced at her side. “If you’ll slow down and listen, Natalie, I can explain—”

“It’s Miss Fanshawe to you. And I’ve done quite enough listening to people I cannot trust. Go back to that nest of vipers where you belong.”

“For pity’s sake, you’ve misread my purpose. What I said in there, about Godwin having no obligation toward Leo, was merely a contrivance to get the two of you out of this house.”