“It’s nearly dawn,” he said. “I thought you might appreciate a small repast since we missed supper last night, so I raided the kitchen. Come and eat and I’ll tell you how things went with Godwin.”

With gentlemanly courtesy, he took her arm and led her to the hearth, settling her into one of the overstuffed chairs. On a nearby table sat a silver tray heaped with pastries and other leftovers from the ball. As he poured her a steaming cup of tea, adding the perfect trickle of cream, Natalie had a lovely vision of them as an old married couple, sitting down for a cozy chat.

The fantasy vanished under the realization of just how ravenous she was. She filled a plate with goodies, tucked her stocking feet underneath her, and nibbled to her heart’s content while Hadrian took the fire iron and stirred the glowing coals into a blaze.

Watching him, she marveled at his strength and fortitude. If not for his quick action, they wouldn’t have found Leo. She shuddered to think the little boy might still be in Wymark’s clutches, perhaps punished for having dared to pick up that pistol.

While she’d cut Leo loose from his bonds, Hadrian had warned Bert that the watch would be dispatched to arrest him. Then he had loaded the unconscious viscount in the back of his phaeton, tied his own horse behind it, and driven back to Clayton House, while she had ridden alongside.

Leo had been excited to sit with Mr. Duke, but began to yawn hugely as they’d reached Mayfair. Since music drifted from the ballroom, they had entered through a back door, she to take Leo upstairs to the nursery, and Hadrian to summon Lord and Lady Godwin to his study.

That was the last she’d seen of him until a few moments ago.

As he sat down opposite her with his own plate of food, she said, “After that awful event, it seemed strange that there were still guests in the ballroom when we returned. I’m glad the duchess had the prescience to concoct a story about me having suffered a sprained ankle and you refusing to leave my side.”

“That’ll cause a little stir in itself, but not so great a scandal as what she presumed we were busy doing.” He flashed a wicked smile over his cup of tea. It almost made Natalie forget about the delicious peach compote on her spoon. He went on, “Did the brat fuss about going to bed?”

“Leo was asleep before his head hit the pillow, though he did give me a very tight hug first. He also told me that he does not wish to be a criminal when he grows up.”

Hadrian chuckled. “Proving the old adage that experience is the best teacher.”

“A pity Wymark never learned that lesson.” Troubled, she put her plate on the table. “What will happen to him?”

All humor vanished from the duke’s face. “Godwin was furious, of course. He blames himself for being too soft on his son. Lady Godwin tried to make excuses, but even she was shocked into silence when Wymark confessed everything. To cover his gambling debts, he’d borrowed a large sum from an unscrupulous moneylender, and with the repayment looming, he plotted Leo’s abduction as a means to extort the funds from me. I made it clear that I was prepared to hand him over to the magistrate at Bow Street.”