“Do you not approve, miss?”

She snapped out of her reverie to realize that Hetty stood waiting, looking a trifle anxious at her mistress’s lack of enthusiasm. Natalie quickly examined her reflection in the long pier glass.

She saw a fine lady arrayed in rich bronze silk with a gossamer netting overskirt and a low-cut bodice that revealed a shocking expanse of bosom. A gold band cinched the high waist, with matching ribbons on the cap sleeves. From her softly styled hair down to the toes of her gold slippers, she looked like a member of Hadrian’s world.

A quiver beset her. Tonight she would dance with him at her first London ball. Then tomorrow, he would press her for an answer to his offer of marriage. What would she say? There could be no denying that her attachment to him had deepened over the past weeks. The mere thought of parting from him forever wrenched her heart.

So she wouldn’t think about it just yet. She would set aside her decision until the morning and wring every drop of happiness out of the present.

Giddy with anticipation, she twirled around, her skirt shimmering in the candlelight. “You’ve done exceptionally well, Hetty. Thank you!”

The maid beamed with pride just as a knock sounded on the door. Two ladies swept into the bedchamber. Lizzy wore a deep indigo gown that brought out the blue in her eyes and helped to camouflage her pregnancy. Beside her, the Duchess of Clayton was stately in lilac satin, her throat adorned with pearls, a majestic pearl-and-diamond tiara nestled in her graying blond hair.

A smile beamed across her aging features. “What a vision of loveliness you are! My dear girl, you shall be the belle of the ball.”

“All eyes will be upon her,” Lizzy said. “The ball is in her honor, after all.”

Natalie shook her head in mock exasperation. “Pray don’t make me any more jittery than I already am.”

“I’ve just the thing to lend you confidence,” the duchess said. She was carrying a black enameled box and opened it to reveal several pieces of diamond jewelry lying in the blue velvet interior. “These were a bride gift to me from my father.”

Natalie gasped at the treasure trove. “Your Grace!” she exclaimed. “I couldn’t possibly borrow something so expensive!”

“Why ever not? These gems are meant for someone younger and prettier than an old matron like me. I haven’t worn them in years.”

“Do try them on,” Lizzy urged. “Besides, Hadrian suggested the jewels.”

Of course it was his idea, Natalie thought wryly as Hetty fastened the necklace. He wanted her to experience the life of a duchess. In short order, she also wore diamond earrings and a tiara that glimmered richly against her sable curls. Charmed, she reached up with kid-gloved fingers to touch the spiderweb of diamonds set in gold above her bosom. The pieces were delicate and elegant, providing the perfect complement to her bronze gown.

Lizzy clapped her hands. “You look positively gorgeous. Shall we go down now? I can’t wait to see the stunned look on my brother’s face.”