There it was again, the inference that Hadrian was besotted. Over the past few days, Lizzy and the duchess had dropped numerous hints that they’d be pleased by a match between Natalie and the duke. If only they knew, the mere thought of him stirred a bevy of butterflies within her.

The three of them left the bedchamber, and upon arriving at the grand staircase, Lizzy stopped Natalie. “Mama and I shall go down first,” she said, her china-blue eyes bright. “It’s proper precedent, you see.”

The duchess patted Natalie’s arm. “You may follow in a moment.”

She watched as the two ladies descended side by side. They had spent the past fortnight stuffing her head with countless archaic dictums of society. But it seemed a silly rule for her to be obliged to wait. After all, the guests had not yet arrived. Peeking over the balcony railing, she saw that the vast entrance hall stood empty except for a few footmen stationed by the front door. It was a letdown to realize that not even Hadrian was here.

Then he stepped into sight.

Her mouth went dry as he came forward to greet his mother and sister at the base of the stairs. Feeling a rush of untimely desire, Natalie pressed her palm to her racing heart. He looked every inch the sinfully handsome duke in formal black tailcoat and knee breeches, a diamond stickpin glinting in his snowy cravat. In the brilliance of the candles in the crystal chandelier, his brown hair gleamed with the richness of caramel.

Lizzy murmured something to him. Instantly, he shifted his gaze upward, straight at Natalie.

She curled her fingers around the gilded balustrade. His sister and mother had arranged this moment, she realized with a touch of wry humor. No wonder they had wanted to go down first. But she didn’t afford them even a glance. No one else mattered but Hadrian.

Drawn by his magnetic stare, she descended the curved staircase. She felt as if she were floating, buoyed by the admiration in his smoky-gray eyes. The slight smile that lifted one corner of his mouth made her think of lying in bed with him, bare flesh to bare flesh. The banked passion on his chiseled features hinted at his own wicked thoughts, especially when his gaze dipped to her close-fitting bodice.

When she reached the bottom step, the duke lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss. “You look ravishing, Natalie.”

So ravish me. Her arched eyebrow and sensual smile conveyed those silent words, while she said very properly, “You’re too kind, Your Grace.”

He bent to whisper in her ear, “Minx. Now is not the time to tempt me.”

His laughing undertone lent a sparkle to the evening as they gazed at each other. His fingers firm around hers, she felt bound to him by mutual desire and something else, something deep and vibrant that she had never felt with any other man.

As if similarly affected, Hadrian released a breath before looking at his mother. “It’s time. The carriages are already lined up on the square.”