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From anyone else, that would have been akin to a slap in the face, but from Lydia, it was an honest barb from a woman who had a penchant for plain speaking.

Made a tad better couched in her faint Scottish burr.

However, as if a handbell had rung, he had the distinct feeling that he was entering the ring for a new round, and it had nothing to do with boxing, but it was exhilarating just the same.

*

Was he quite mad?

Unable to do much more than stare at him in shock, Lydia frowned.

“I was just beginning to enjoy what we have recently discovered between us, so why would you wish to ruin that with talk of courtship?” Yet if she were honest with herself, it was flattering to know that an earl’s son was interested in her enough to even utter those words.

Even if it unleashed an imp of panic within her chest.

A spark of determination lit his hazel eyes, and drat if his hair, even disheveled, was even more attractive.

How the devil did he encourage it to flop over like that?

“I rather think it’s respecting you instead of treating you on the same level as a courtesan.

Meeting clandestinely merely to couple is a bit rude.

” There was a note of annoyance in his voice, and she couldn’t fault him for it. “I think more of you than that.”

That took a bit of the wind out of her ire. Clearly, he was a different sort of man than Colin was. “You do?”

“Of course. I mean, God, how wonderous your mind must be to be able to study medicine and prove your intelligence enough that you passed exams many men can’t even tackle.

” The annoyance had changed into awe and the same reflected in his eyes.

“I can’t begin to fathom memorizing the names of every bone in the human body let alone where each organ is located. ”

Could he be any more endearing? Her heart squeezed, but this time it wasn’t prompted by fear.

“While I appreciate that, I’d rather you not enter into a courtship with me if I can’t guarantee you what you wish at the end.

” It would shatter her if she were to inadvertently hurt him when she had no intention of leading him on.

He shrugged. “I’m a patient man, Lydia. And like you, I am quite determined in my own way.”

A shiver of need went down her spine, for that confidence was attractive. “But—”

Yet he continued despite her budding objection.

“There is no set time for a courtship. It can be a month like what Lewis enjoyed, or it can continue over the course of years until I can order my life, and you can be certain I won’t order an end to your ambitions.

” Step by step, he prowled toward her over the hardwood floor.

“I…” Damn his eyes! He had presented a logical proposition.

She retreated until the desk prevented further movement.

Despite the fact he was fully offering to do this at a pace she would dictate, fear twisted through her insides, for at the end, regardless of when that was, he would no doubt want marriage.

Would she? But his willingness to do whatever she wished as well as protect her from Colin humbled her and left her a bit breathless with wonder.

“Oh, Alexander, what am I to do with you?”

“Does that mean we’ve come to an agreement?” One of his brown eyebrows lifted as he came into her personal space and slipped his arms around her waist. “You must know there is a connection between us.”

“Yes, I have felt it, of course.”

“Good, and in order for me—us—to pursue that without scandal breathing down our necks, there should be at least the shell of protection in the guise of a courtship. It is not as binding as an engagement, but it does put other men on notice that I have an interest in you. Additionally, it will appease both your father and my mother. That swath of peace is much needed on both our parts, I suspect.”

Why did it make sense? Her heartbeat accelerated.

Sweat trickled down her back, pasting her shift to her skin.

Would she be signing away her freedom if she did this?

Yet he was so compelling, and he intrigued her, for he wasn’t like any of the other men she’d met.

Everything he did screamed honor and respect, even when she was more critical of him than she should be.

Additionally, his touch inflamed her, made her want to continue the path she currently walked.

Yet what if she did indeed fall for him?

Would that ruin everything she’d worked so hard for?

Many men were skilled in lying until they got their way.

“I can almost hear your mind working,” he said in a soft voice. “None of the fears you are coming up with will happen. You have my promise.”

How did he know her so well already? “And you won’t honorably demand we wed merely because we succumbed to passion last night out of some misplaced sense of obligation?”

“Do you want me to? For if something comes from our joining…”

“Do stop.” She held up a hand, palm outward. “I just finished my menses; there is no danger of conceiving a child just now.”

He nodded. “If there was, I won’t leave you in scandal or with a ruined reputation.

” Then his Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow.

“In fact, should we come together like that again, I will take measures to prevent such a possibility. You shouldn’t be forced into being a mother merely to indulge in a tryst.”

And again, he’d impressed upon her how different he was from other men. Oddly enough, tears once more gathered in her eyes. With a sigh, she nodded. “I suppose we have an agreement. With the caveat that I decide when this ends, regardless of the reason.”

I need the guaranteed escape.

“I take no issue with that.” Then he slid his hands up her sides to eventually hold her head between his palms. “This won’t trap you, Lydia, and I certainly promise not to hurt you.

In no way do I want to prevent you from meeting any of your dreams; I merely wish to help you do all of that while considering the possibilities.

We can support and encourage each other.

” Then he brushed his lips over her in such a tender kiss that more tears welled until two fat drops fell to her cheeks.

“Why must you be so dratted charming and agreeable?” For the first time in her life, Lydia wanted to melt into a man’s arms and let him take up her burdens for a bit while she rested.

It was deuced difficult carrying the load and moving against the stream as it were.

She brushed at the moisture on her cheeks.

“Perhaps I’m merely fortunate.” He waggled his eyebrows, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m just glad you met me first before Duncan. Otherwise, you’d be off having adventures with him, for he is the more charming of us.”

“Oh? Is he a bachelor on the prowl, then?” With a raised eyebrow, she made to move around Alexander. “I do fancy an adventure or two.”

“Maddening woman.” He tugged her into his arms and kissed her with more conviction. “If adventure is what you want, that is what I’ll give you.”

The poor man came up to the mark quite splendidly. She patted his cheek. “The only adventure I want is perhaps being driven along Rotten Row. If you truly wish for a courtship, then by all means let us be seen in the most popular place in Mayfair together.”

“You want a drive?” Surprise lined his face, quickly followed by a trace of disappointment. “That’s all?”

“For the moment.” She winked. “You do have a carriage, don’t you?” The sad fact was, if he hadn’t sorted himself and didn’t have the requisite coin to even keep a carriage, there wasn’t much hope for the future—together for legitimate purposes or even for him to ask her to become his mistress.

I know my worth and I won’t come cheap.

“Of course I do.” As he pulled away, she caught a hint of concern in his eyes. “I’ll merely borrow Lewis’ open carriage. I’m sure he’s not using it. In fact, I’ll go outside and find an urchin, pay him to deliver a missive to the mews.”

Lydia nodded. “I need to don my bonnet and gloves, but I will meet you on the pavement in a bit.” Once he’d gathered his hat and gloves, Alexander left the office, and with a sigh, she sat on the chair behind the desk. What had just happened?

Surely this tingly feeling will go away. It’s just the excitement of knowing the tryst isn’t quite over. Isn’t it?