She was supervising Leo as he sat down to take off his shoes when Mr. Clayton stepped to her side. Her heart skipped a beat as much from his sudden nearness as the intent look in his eyes.

“As it so happens, Miss Fanshawe, I’m heading in the direction of Whitnash, too. Perhaps you would permit me to escort you there?”

When Natalie left the inn an hour later, a groom was waiting outside to take her valises. He directed them to an elegant post chaise, then went to place their baggage in a second, plainer carriage. She wasn’t accustomed to such service and still felt a certain trepidation at her decision to accept Mr. Clayton’s offer. As she and Leo approached the stylish vehicle, black with gold trim, a poker-faced footman in forest-green livery sprang to open the door.

“May I ride with those men?” Leo asked, his freckled face alight.

Her gaze followed his pointing finger to the team of four matched grays. Two postilions, in livery identical to that of the footman, each were mounting one of the pairs of horses harnessed to the chaise.

“I’m afraid not,” she said, with a consoling pat to his back. “They have an important job to do in getting us safely on our journey, and you might very well distract them.”

“I’ll be good. Please?”

“No, darling. Remember, it’s important for you to be on your best behavior today since we are guests of Mr. Clayton.”

The young footman gave a start, and she glanced up to see his hazel eyes rounded in surprise. He blinked rapidly while his face once again resumed a blank expression.

Natalie didn’t know quite what to make of his reaction. Perhaps it was highly unusual for Mr. Clayton to take passengers. In truth, she felt a little intimidated by all the finely garbed servants in their host’s retinue. She counted seven, including two outriders, two postilions, a valet, a footman, and a groom.

Mr. Clayton must be exceedingly rich, indeed.

That thought was further reinforced as she followed Leo into the chaise. It was smaller than the mail coach, but far more luxurious. The two seats were covered in buttery soft burgundy leather, the walls upholstered in brocade of the same rich hue. Gold tassels dangled from the curtains, which were drawn back to allow an expansive view of the outdoors.

Leo was bouncing up and down on one of the seats. Since there was no coachman, the chaise had the bonus of a front window as well as on the sides. “Look, I can watch the horses from here. Can this be my spot?”

Before she could reply, a baritone voice came from behind them. “Yes, so long as you do so quietly,” said Mr. Clayton.

The boy instantly settled onto his knees, as still as a mouse, while peering out at the team.

From her place beside Leo, Natalie turned her head sharply to look at their benefactor. He’d startled her, for she hadn’t seen him follow them outside. There could be no other reason why her pulse was racing and her cheeks felt warm. It certainly couldn’t be due to the fact that he dwarfed the interior of the chaise, or that he’d changed into a fine claret coat with fawn breeches, his boots once again impeccably polished. Over his arm, he carried a multicaped black greatcoat which he tossed onto the empty seat.