They all stared at her as if she’d gone mad.

“Oh, but you must stay at Clayton House,” Doris said. “Especially since His Grace is seeking a bride. Why, he might very well choose you, Natalie.”

“You’re devilish pretty,” Giles said frankly. “Being under his roof, you’d have an advantage over all the other ladies. You’d need only to flirt with him.”

“Yes, indeed,” Sir Basil added, snapping his fingers. “Why, this is a brilliant notion! Only think what an auspicious marriage it would be. My granddaughter, the Duchess of Clayton!”

Doris clasped her hands to her bosom. “Society would accept us again if you’d sponsor my come-out, Natalie. Just think, I’d be able to dance at balls and meet the man of my dreams. Oh, I never thought it was even possible!”

Dismayed, Natalie cast about for a way to dampen their enthusiasm. “I’m a nobody from the wilds of America. I have a life there, and I intend to return to it. The duke will choose a lady of impeccable background. Not a woman whose father was born on the wrong side of the blanket.”

“Bah, you’re a Fanshawe,” Sir Basil declared. “You’ve noble lineage, and even a few royal connections dating back to the time of the Conqueror. As for your papa’s birth, I always acknowledged him as my own, so I’ll hear no more talk of you being a nobody.”

Just then, Mrs. Beasley appeared in the doorway to announce luncheon. Her grandfather invited Natalie to join them, and she accepted with alacrity. She dared not leave without having accomplished her purpose. It was far too dangerous to remain at Clayton House and be tempted into another indiscretion.

Giles went out to inform her coachman to return in an hour or two, then they all proceeded into a tiny dining chamber and sat around a table covered by threadbare linen that was darned in several spots. Luncheon consisted of a platter of cold meats and cheeses, sliced wafer-thin, with bread cut so transparent that Natalie fancied she could see right through it. It was painfully obvious that her family had stretched their meager rations to include their honored guest, and she was careful to keep her portions small.

Try as she might, she had trouble tilting the conversation in favor of her objective. While asking questions about her life in the United States, they pointed out how much more civilized England was, where a lucky lady might wed a duke and live in luxury. When prevailing on her to describe the décor of Clayton House, including the nursery, they were quick to say that Leo wouldn’t care to give up his many toys. Besides, the duke was bound to oppose his little cousin’s being taken away and forced to live in cramped quarters.

That particular point did worry Natalie. Hadrian was fond of Leo and would object to his departure. But at present, she was the boy’s guardian at the dying request of his mother and she was prepared to battle the duke if necessary.