“There are various explanations for the name, but most likely it’s a corruption of Route du Roi, the King’s Road. Over a hundred years ago, King William III liked to walk here from Kensington Palace to St. James’s. Come, brat, since it’s quite deserted, you may drive now.”

He settled Leo between his legs and let him hold on to the reins, while Hadrian did most of the work. The boy’s small face wore a look of absolute bliss as the horses pranced ahead of the carriage, their silken manes rippling in the sunshine. “Look, Miss Fanshawe, I’m driving!”

“Indeed you are. And very well, for your first time.”

Natalie took advantage of the chance to watch Hadrian. The duke appeared to be enjoying himself, and she marveled at his patient instructions when Leo tried to pull on one leather ribbon or the other. After they’d traveled a distance down the road, he steered the team onto a narrower path, stopping the phaeton at a spot where they had a view of sunlight gleaming off a large body of water through the trees. A scattering of stylishly clad people strolled along the bank, as well as a few commoners in plainer garb who walked at a faster pace, perhaps taking a shortcut through the park.

“Welcome to the Serpentine,” the duke said. “The lake was formed nearly a hundred years ago when a dam was built to capture water from the River Westbourne.” With nimble grace, he leaped down from the phaeton. “Come, brat, I’ve something to show you here.”

The boy scrambled down with the agility of a monkey. “A surprise?”

“You’ll see in a moment. First, though, we oughtn’t leave Miss Fanshawe stranded on her high perch.” Hadrian stretched up his arms to her. “My lady, may I offer my assistance?”

The smirk on his handsome face dared her to leap into his embrace. She was sorely tempted to do just that, to be held against his powerful form again, if only for a moment. Then dignity won out. “I can manage.”

Presenting her back to him, Natalie proceeded to clamber down on her own, stretching the toe of her shoe to feel for the small iron step. The height of the phaeton and the tangle of her skirts made the descent something of a challenge. Nevertheless, she felt confident of success, until disaster struck.

The hem of her gown caught beneath the sole of her shoe and unbalanced her. She grabbed at the body of the carriage in an effort to right herself. Instead, she found herself tumbling backward, pulled by a pair of large hands that were clasped firmly around her waist.

As her feet touched the ground, her backbone met Hadrian’s broad chest. She was caught against his muscled strength, surrounded by his captivating scent of leather and dark spice. Her heart thudded as a rush of intense desire permeated her body, especially when his hands slid in a slow caress over her hips.

He bent his head down, his warm breath stirring the fine hairs at the nape of her neck. “How fortunate that I was here to catch you,” he murmured in a flirtatious undertone. “The high perch can be difficult for ladies.”