Shaken, she covered her confusion by saying, “They’ll know my wrath, too, I’m afraid. So I may embarrass you yet.”

A grin flickered over his lips, then vanished. Reaching up, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Then you’ll want to be well armed for the battle. Society can be judgmental, and fashion is one essential part of a lady’s armor against the gossips. That’s all I meant, Natalie. You’ll feel far more at ease if your appearance meets the standards of the ton.”

She felt foolish for having misapprehended his purpose. Proper dress had been important in Washington, too, when she had acted as her father’s hostess. A remorseful smile touched her lips. “I owe you an apology, then. I shouldn’t have assumed the worst.”

His eyes warming, he caressed her shoulders a moment before dropping his arms to his sides. “I ought to have explained myself better. And by the way, you needn’t feel like an outsider. It’s likely you’re related to a number of England’s best families. My mother will be more than happy to pore over Debrett’s and help you decipher your ancestry.”

“Debrett’s?”

“It’s a book that records the family histories of all the peerages and baronetages. My mother delights in tracing my lineage, since her own is not included.”

The prospect intrigued Natalie, though she reminded herself that noble bloodlines oughtn’t matter. Then his implication struck her. “Are you saying the duchess was born a commoner?”

He nodded wryly. “As common as grass. She’s the only child of a wealthy nabob who made his fortune in India. My late grandfather was angling to wed her to royalty, but he settled for a mere duke instead.”

“So that’s the secret the duchess said your father had swept under the rug! Was it an arranged marriage, then?”

“Yes, she was eighteen and, according to her, a bit starry-eyed.”

Natalie absorbed the news in startled silence as she studied Hadrian’s patrician features. Given his noble bearing and commanding manner, she would never have imagined that he had anything but the bluest of blue blood coursing through his veins.

No wonder the Earl of Godwin had been named his guardian. Hadrian’s father wouldn’t have wanted a mere commoner to raise his heir. Yet it still seemed unnecessarily cruel to have separated mother and son. Even now, many years later, the duchess resented Godwin. That had been clear by her relief at learning her son hadn’t betrothed himself to Godwin’s daughter.

Would Hadrian tell her he still intended to court Lady Ellen? He’d been tight-lipped about his marital plans ever since leaving Oak Knoll.

Natalie pushed away the image of the two of them wrapped in each other’s arms. It was none of her concern. If a smoldering kernel suspiciously like envy burned in her breast, she must never allow Hadrian to guess its existence.

“No witty retort?” he said. “I should think you’d enjoy learning that I’m as much a mongrel as you are.”

A droll smile on his face, he stood watching her, and Natalie found herself smiling back. She liked a man who could mock himself. “Luckily for you, I happen to find mongrels far more interesting than purebreds. And at least you’re not dowdy.”