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“No, there is something distinctly different now.” Duncan stood up from the low sofa while the ladies looked on with fascination.

“I noticed it in the past two weeks. You’ve grown bolder as if you have found new confidence, as if you are secure in the knowledge that someone is in your corner, fighting for you, supporting you.

” One of his brown eyebrows cocked as he came toward Alexander. “So what is it?”

“Or rather, who is it?” Lewis asked as he scrambled to his feet as well.

Of course, their mother was caught up in the excitement. “Alexander? What are they hinting at?” Then she gasped. “Are the rumors circulating about the beau monde true? Do you have a woman in your life?”

Well, shit.

With four pairs of eyes on him, all full of expectation, he blew out a breath. After downing the remaining contents of his glass and suffering the burn in his throat, he rested the vessel on the fireplace mantel. “Yes.”

The ladies gasped.

Lewis frowned. “Is it that same woman who came by the salon the other day? The daughter of the doctor who comes out to the boxing bouts sometimes?”

“Yes.” Heat went up the back of his neck.

“I met her at that bout last week, and we shared a bit of a connection.” He shrugged.

“She expressed an interest in sparring—while still maintaining that boxing for sport or coin is a largely nodcock idea—and as we spent time together talking, a friendship of sorts formed.”

Duncan laughed and then elbowed him in the ribcage. “Of sorts. We all know what that means.”

“Do shut up.” Alexander ignored the continued heat on his neck.

They didn’t need to be privy to what kind of relationship he currently enjoyed with Lydia.

“In any event, I told her that in order to continue to be in her company, we needed to keep the scandal to a minimum, and I didn’t wish to sneak about merely to see her.

” He shrugged, for what difference did it make?

“I asked if I could pay my addresses to her.”

Another round of gasping issued from the ladies.

His mother put a hand to her throat. “Does this mean you have entered into a courtship with this woman? That you wish to marry her?”

“Uh, as I’ve told Duncan and Lewis, don’t rush my fences. This is quite new and in the beginning stages. I don’t wish to spook her, for Miss Tetford is not anchored to the idea of being married.”

His mother frowned. “Then why are you wasting your time on her when you could pursue someone else?”

Hoping for patience, Alexander shoved the fingers of one hand through his hair. “Not that I owe any of you an explanation, Miss Tetford is fascinating as well as worthy of admiration. She’s determined and brave, she has clear-cut goals, and she would like to be a physician like her father.”

“That is hardly the things society values. Is Miss Tetford a woman of integrity?”

“She very much is.”

The frown on his mother’s face deepened.

“Since Lewis was unable to land an heiress or a lady of independent means—no offense, dear,” she said to Cecilia, who exchanged a speaking glance with Lewis, “there is much pressure on your shoulders to make an advantageous match. I am not certain chasing after a woman who sounds rather fast and who snubs traditional roles is the best thing for you.”

Of course she would say that. Annoyance rose in a hot tide to fill Alexander’s chest. How much should he tell his mother?

Perhaps if she knew at least some of the story, she would be more likely to accept Lydia.

“In that vein, Lydia was engaged before.” His mother would find that out anyway the moment she wagged her tongue to her friends.

“Apparently, the man was abusive toward her and refused to support her dreams, so her reputation is a bit dented in society’s eyes, but that doesn’t mean she is a bad person. ”

“Well, it’s enough that she shares at least some affection for you,” his mother said with a nod. “It will be lovely to have married, and lovelier still to have a physician in the family. I’ll need to invite her father and mother to dinner.”

Hell’s bells. “Her mother died a few years ago.”

“Oh, dear. Well, who are her people? Perhaps she has aunts and uncles.”

“I’m not certain. It hasn’t come up in conversation, but I do know that her mother was Scottish.”

Shock lined his mother’s face. “Oh, Alexander. She’s of Scottish blood?”

“Yes, and she has the temper to match. It’s quite refreshing to interact with a woman who doesn’t play games or talk in hints.

” Best to be honest about everything. “Her father has been invited as a guest lecturer at Cambridge for the fall term, and she has a brother who is also a physician. From what I understand, Ian works with wounded and maimed soldiers who have returned home or are indigent.” While it was a noble cause, he wasn’t sure his mother would see it that way.

“Frankly, I am not certain that Lydia is interested in marriage. Because of this, I promised that this courtship period could be as long or as short as she wished, and if at any time, she felt we wouldn’t suit, we could terminate it with no animosity. ”

“What a noble thing to do, Alexander.” Respect shone in Cecilia’s eyes. “No doubt Miss Tetford appreciates that small consideration, for no woman should be forced into doing something she either doesn’t want or isn’t ready for. That bit of freedom might work to your advantage later.”

“Thank you.” He welcomed any support from his family, even if it was from the extended branch. “It is much like having a skittish horse become accustomed to me. I don’t wish to break her spirit or crush her dreams; I just want her to trust me enough to realize I’m not like most men.”

The silence following that statement was stunning, and it only stirred the insecurities still lurking in his chest.

“I admire you, brother,” Duncan said as he clapped a hand on Alexander’s shoulder.

“You’ll no doubt win her over with patience and understanding.

And Mama, you’ll need to square with the fact that Miss Tetford is quite forthright and stubborn.

Perhaps she’ll stand up to you, and that is what we’ve all been waiting for. ”

While Duncan and Lewis chuckled, Alexander focused on his mother.

“Please say that you will reserve judgment until I can determine where the relationship is headed. It is uncharted territory for me, but all I can say is that when I’m with her, she makes me want to be better, in all the ways that matter.

” Would that admission make him seem weak in his brothers’ eyes?

His mother cleared her throat as she slowly rose to her feet.

“I will have you know that I’m not the apparent ogre you boys consider me, and as a matter of fact, Cecilia has already stood up to me quite handily.

” She smiled at the new countess, then at Lewis, before resting her gaze back on Alexander.

“I am quite glad my sons have the discernment to choose women who have backbones even if they aren’t the darlings of the ton . ”

“Ah, a backhanded compliment. I didn’t expect anything less from you, Mama,” he said but with enough humor in his voice to let her know he wasn’t angry.

“I mean well.” She nodded. “Bring Miss Tetford to the ball my friend is throwing in a few days. Lewis has been invited. He’s bringing Cecilia, but I want you to come as well. I shall inform my friend you’ll come with Miss Tetford.”

It was his turn to frown, for this would be the first official society event he attended with Lydia for all the ton to see them together. “Why would you do this?” If she was expecting Lydia to fail, he would refuse outright.

“Because I want to see you happy, Alexander. As much as I would like for my boys to have financial stability, your father didn’t leave us well off, but there are more important things than how much coin a person has to their name.

” She laid a hand on his arm. “Also, you can find out much about a person while on a dance floor. Come to the ball. If she can’t deport herself correctly or the two of you don’t flow together while waltzing, you’ll have your answer.

” Then she laid a palm against his cheek.

“I’ll have a quick conversation with her as well, but don’t worry, I just want to make certain she is good enough for you.

” She bussed his cheek. “Besides, all of my sons clean up well and make lovely impressions when dressed for a ball. If she doesn’t fall for you then, she is obviously not the one. ”

Oddly, it made sense. He nodded just as the butler entered the room and rang a hand bell announcing that dinner was ready. “Thank you. I shall invite her tomorrow and will hope for the best.”