“Your mother needs a purpose in her life, Hadrian. Something useful that will also satisfy her love of shopping and extravagant spending.” Natalie spoke over her shoulder before turning to face him. “By the way, I should warn you that she intends to order five hundred beeswax candles. It will cost you a fortune!”

“We can hardly entertain our guests in the dark.” Looking amused, he took the lamp from her and set it on a table. “And I hope you don’t suggest substituting cheap tallow candles, for they can cause a dreadful stink.”

Natalie ruefully acknowledged making that very recommendation to Her Grace, only to be regarded in horror. “They intend to procure a champagne fountain, too. Whoever heard of such a thing? And dozens of ells of white silk and masses of hothouse flowers to create an indoor garden. I told them it was far too wasteful, but they wouldn’t listen.”

He chuckled. “If you expect me to reason with them, I gave up on that years ago. But what did you mean about giving my mother a purpose?”

“The duchess loves nothing better than to buy things, yet she already owns everything she could ever need. If spending gives her such pleasure, why not direct her generous nature toward helping others? There must be any number of schools and orphanages in London that need a patroness.”

“You want her to be a philanthropist.”

“But not simply as a donor dispensing funds. Her Grace is such a kindhearted woman, Hadrian. I believe she would enjoy visiting the children, distributing food and clothing and toys, making the little ones happy.”

“That seems an undertaking you would enjoy, as well.”

He was standing across from her, lounging against the wall with one hand on his hip, his coat pushed back to reveal his lean waist. His indulgent smile set off a tremor of longing deep within her. It occurred to her that she’d unthinkingly led him into her bedchamber, as if he belonged here. With the covers turned down invitingly and a fire burning low on the hearth, it was a scene made for seduction.

Her throat felt dry as she dragged her mind back to the conversation. “I’d be happy to find an appropriate project for the duchess. Subject to your approval, of course. I realize it isn’t my place to meddle in your family affairs.”

“Darling, you may meddle to your heart’s content.”

The warmth in his eyes was so meltingly affectionate that she wanted to sink into his arms. That besotted look made her long for the ecstasy he’d shown her the last time he’d been in her bedchamber. It would be wise to banish him at once.

Instead, she paced the floor in an effort to work off her untimely yearnings. “Well, the project gave me something to think about as I penned all those invitations. There were hundreds of them, by the way. My hand aches from writing, and I’ve a permanent ink stain on my finger.”