“I certainly can’t fault your schools here,” she agreed. “Yet he also had a somewhat chaotic upbringing, with Sir Basil forever with his pockets to let, from all his gambling debts. His other relatives were much the same. I suppose you could say that Papa was the only ambitious, hardworking one in a dynasty of wastrels. You’ve heard of the black sheep of the family? He used to chuckle that he was the one white sheep in a family of black sheep.”

Hadrian found the tale enlightening. Natalie might speak flippantly, but the fact remained that bloodlines meant a great deal to the ton. Even a tainted genteel ancestry was considered superior to a common one. He himself had been brought up to believe that to be true.

But ever since their fateful meeting during the ice storm, he’d felt a shift inside himself, a desire to challenge long-held convictions. He wasn’t yet certain where it would all lead. However, he did know that with the proper patronage, a striking beauty like Natalie would take society by storm.

If, that is, he could convince her to set aside her preconceptions of the aristocracy. And if he could persuade her that she would be happier with him than opening a school in America.

“Did your father keep in contact with Sir Basil?”

“Yes, they did correspond somewhat erratically. Papa had a half brother and half sister, too, though they’re gone now. After my father’s death, Sir Basil wrote to offer me a home with him and his two other grandchildren, my cousins. It was kind of him, but I declined, of course.”

Of course. She didn’t wish to live in England, nor did she care a fig for rank. It would be a challenge to change her mind, but Hadrian craved the chance to earn her respect. “Perhaps Sir Basil will be in London for the season,” he said. “Will you call on him there?”

Her posture stiffened slightly, the aura of warmth evaporating. She eyed him with the same cool hauteur she’d accused him of possessing. “I haven’t agreed to go to London.”

Hadrian leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped. He searched for the words that would appeal to her. “I very much hope that you will. Leo would enjoy visiting the Tower, the circus, even the ships at the docks. You can’t leave England without seeing the sights in its finest city.”

“And we’d reside with you,” she said, frowning.

“I’d be honored to have you both as my guests. Clayton House keeps a wonderful nursery stocked with toys and books for any guests. There’ll be an army of servants at your beck and call. The accommodations are first-rate, the chef is excellent, the library huge. You’ll not find better amenities anywhere.”

At that description, Natalie appeared even less thrilled. Much to his perplexity, her eyes sparked displeasure as she rose to her feet. “I gather there would be strings attached.”

He stood up as well. “Strings?”