“A splendid notion,” Lizzy chimed in, clapping her hands. “Such beautiful sable hair you have, Natalie. And those green eyes! She would look very fine in saffron or jonquil, don’t you think, Mama? As well as dramatic colors like claret and damson. And Madame showed me the loveliest bronze silk the other day, so rich and shimmery.”

Flustered, Natalie shook her head. “Forgive me, I know you only mean to be helpful. But the truth is, I simply cannot afford to acquire an extensive wardrobe.”

The duchess fluttered her beringed fingers. “Oh, my dear, it is but a trifling expense to me. It shall be my reward to you for traveling all the way across the ocean to bring young Leo to his kin.”

“Yet I must refuse. I could never accept such a lavish gift. And that is final.”

Her words fell like stones into the serenity of the rose-pink bedchamber. She expected the duchess to turn cool and haughty that a foreign upstart would dare to address her in such a manner. Instead, Her Grace appeared crestfallen, the corners of her mouth turned downward, as if she were a child denied a special treat. There was even a wounded glimmer to her eyes, and not the crocodile tears she’d directed at her son earlier.

Natalie felt small and mean for having spoken so harshly. On impulse, she knelt in front of the older woman, taking hold of her hands. “I am sorry, Your Grace. I truly don’t wish to upset you. It’s just that I’m accustomed to providing for myself.”

“As I am accustomed to purchasing things,” the duchess said on a sigh.

“It is her greatest pleasure,” Hadrian confirmed dryly.

Natalie flashed a scowl up at him, for he wasn’t helping matters. He must have known his mother would leap at the chance to outfit Natalie. And deep down, it struck at her pride to think that he might find her appearance to be lacking.

“I have the very solution!” Lizzy exclaimed. “Last autumn, before realizing I was in a delicate condition, I ordered a number of new gowns. Alas, they won’t fit me now that I’ve grown as large as a house.” She lovingly rubbed her rounded belly. “So perhaps, Natalie, you would be so good as to take the dresses. You’re taller, but my maid can let down the hems. It won’t cost you a penny, and you’d be doing me a great favor, for they are cluttering up my dressing room. By the time I’m able to wear anything so slimming again, they’ll be out of style. Remember the violet sarcenet, Mama? It would look heavenly with her hair and eyes.”

The duchess perked up. “Indeed, and I’ve a spangled shawl that would be the perfect accent. Why, I’ve never even worn it, after deciding that it brought out the gray in my hair.”

As the two women began to chatter excitedly about various other accessories that could be contributed to the cause, Natalie stood up, aghast at this new scheme and confounded as to how to halt it. She abhorred the notion of accepting charity—which this very much felt like—yet the ladies were so enthusiastic that she lacked the heart to voice another refusal.