But the early spring afternoon was too lovely to be cooped up in the nursery just yet. A flock of sparrows soared against the blue of the sky, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly turned loam. The tree had not yet leafed out, so there was enough sunshine through the spreading branches to keep her from being chilled.

Leo stopped in front of them and gave Hadrian a cautious look. “Was I running too fast, Mr. Duke? I didn’t mean to!”

Hadrian leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his face level with Leo’s. “No, it’s your sneaking out of the nursery without permission that concerns me. You knew it was wrong.”

The boy’s chin dipped. “Yes, sir.”

“You caused Miss Fanshawe a great deal of worry today. A gentleman doesn’t behave that way.”

“But I’m not a gentleman. I’m just a half-pint. That’s what Papa used to call me.”

Natalie’s heart squeezed. She’d feared that at his young age, his parents might fade completely from his mind. Many months had passed since their deaths. But ever since the portrait of Audrey had been hung in his bedchamber, Leo had mentioned them a few times. He no longer seemed as distraught by the memories as he’d been in the weeks after the attack.

“Even half-pint gentlemen need to follow the rules,” Hadrian stated. “Henceforth, you must listen to Miss Fanshawe and do exactly as she instructs. Is that understood?”

His head bobbed up and down. “Yes, sir, Mr. Duke.”

Affording him a shrewd look, Hadrian added, “There’s another very good reason for you to mind your manners. If you show me that you can behave, I’ll buy you a pony.”

“What?” Natalie sputtered. Just like that, all of her good will toward the man vanished like smoke in the wind. “You can’t—”

“A pony? A real pony?” Leo’s excited voice drowned her out. His face lit up, his eyes big against his dirt-streaked face. “Can I—may I learn how to ride him, please?”

“Of course. Riding is an essential part of every young gentleman’s education.”

“Yippee! I’ll be the bestest gentleman ever!”

“Excellent. Now go and play. But stay where we can see you.”

In a burst of boyish exuberance, Leo cantered off across the lawn.

The instant he was out of earshot, Natalie rounded on Hadrian, her fists clenched in her lap. He was smiling indulgently, clearly pleased with his promise of a costly gift and unaware that he’d undermined her efforts to raise Leo according to the values of his parents. “You bribed him! That isn’t the way to teach a child. He must learn that proper conduct is its own reward.”

“Nonsense. He’s of an age when he ought to be learning to ride. I merely used the pony as an incentive.”

“A far too lavish incentive! I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to buy him a lemon drop in the village. Or give him a pat on the head and a kind word. But not this.” All of her fears for the boy’s future rose to the fore. “I won’t have Leo spoiled as you were, growing up in the lap of luxury, with your every wish indulged. It will ruin his character!”