Giles Fanshawe was a lanky young man with a Romany handsomeness and a pleasant smile, who pumped her hand up and down. “Have you really come all the way from America? Is it true your father owned an estate where he bred horses?”

“Yes,” Natalie said, “though it was merely a small farm.”

“Giles wants to breed racehorses,” Doris confided. “But Grandpapa hasn’t the funds. We even had to lease out our estate in Lincolnshire.”

“Now, don’t be bothering our guest with your chatter,” Sir Basil said, his smile taking the sting out of his words. “Do sit down, dear Natalie, and tell us what has brought you to our fair shores.”

Natalie was directed to a well-worn leather chair that she suspected was her grandfather’s favorite, since a pipe and pouch lay on the table beside it. As the others took seats opposite her, she gave them an abbreviated summary of the massacre that had taken the lives of Leo’s parents, her promise to deliver him to his grandfather, and the problem involving his birth papers.

“Lord Godwin dared to accuse my granddaughter of lying?” Sir Basil said indignantly, rapping the tip of his cane on the threadbare carpet. “I knew that pompous oaf when he was a mere pup. Why, I’ve a mind to call him out for that craven insult!”

“Pray don’t do that, sir,” Natalie said, alarmed by the notion of him challenging Lord Godwin to pistols at dawn. “His cousin, the Duke of Clayton, has the matter well in hand.”

“Is it true you’re staying at Clayton House?” Doris asked, looking starstruck. “Your note was written on his mother’s stationery. I nearly swooned to see the gold crest.”

All eyes turned to Natalie. Realizing that now was her opportunity, she took a deep breath. “Yes, I am, but only because Leo is a distant relation of the duke’s. Yet I confess to having misgivings about being there. You see, His Grace has expressed an intention to seek a wife this season, and I fear that Leo and I are a hindrance, what with all the entertaining he’ll be doing. That’s part of the reason why I came here today. Grandpapa, I was hoping that Leo and I might find a home with you while we’re waiting for his papers from America to be verified. It need only be temporary, of course, since I’ll eventually be returning to Philadelphia.”

Sir Basil frowned. “My dear, you flatter me, but I’ve little to offer in these miserable rooms when you are staying in the highest kick of style.”

“Clayton House is the grandest residence in London,” Giles added. “The duke must be a miserly fellow not to find some corner of that huge pile for you to lay your head.”

Unwilling to sully Hadrian’s reputation, Natalie said hastily, “Oh, don’t misunderstand me, he’s been all that is gracious! It’s just that I feel I’m imposing on his good will. And being from America, I’m not accustomed to such luxury, either. I’d be far more comfortable here among my own family.”