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Alexander shrugged again. “I have not thought much about it, to be honest.” He suppressed a grin. “As you said, there is so much to experience in life.”
The Earl gave him a knowing look. “I can tell you are probably popular with the ladies. You are young, fit, healthy and a handsome lad. It is good to experience that side of things when you are young.” He paused. “But it palls after a while. You will want a family, Alexander. You have never met a woman who you wanted to be your wife?”
Alexander shook his head. “Never. I love women and enjoy their company, but I could not imagine being tied down to just one. I think I would feel suffocated.” He grinned. “A girl in every port, as they say.”
Thinking about beautiful girls he had known made him think of the girl masquerading as a boy in Hyde Park. The girl with the long dark hair and the ice blue eyes. He felt his loins stir faintly. Hereallywould have liked to get to know her better. It was not just her arresting looks.
Any girl who had the courage to ride alone dressed as a lad through a London park at daybreak had spirit. And he liked spirit in women. It usually signalled they were passionate in the bedroom, as well.
He was suddenly besieged by a fantasy of taking that beautiful, spirted woman—in the park, pressing her hard against a tree. Taking fistfuls of that glorious black hair in his hands while he pounded into her, her legs wrapped around him, while she panted with lust, urging him onwards…
He shook himself, taking a deep slug of wine. Now was not the time or the place to indulge in carnal fantasies about a girl he had encountered in a park. The Earl was staring at him, almost as if he knew he had been miles away in his thoughts. Embarrassed, Alexander coughed into his hand.
“Do you think you may feel comfortable inheriting the title and estate?” asked the Earl suddenly, watching him like a hawk. “It is a big responsibility. The estate must be run like a business. It is not just lolling around on a sofa, eating grapes, like Nero while Rome burns. Many livelihoods depend on this place. Additionally, there are tenants on the land that you must oversee.”
Alexander’s ears pricked up. “A business? You mean you do work a bit?”
The earl laughed. “I most certainly do. There is time for much leisure—riding, hunting, hosting parties and the like—but I work just about every day. I take my responsibilities very seriously. I have a duty to this place. A sacred duty.”
“I like the sound of that,” said Alexander. “I like to work. I think I would be bored senseless leading an idle life.”
“I can tell you are a dynamic fellow,” said the Earl, nodding approvingly. “And you are clever, too. I think with the right training you would make a fine earl, Alexander.”
Alexander felt strangely pleased by the old man’s praise. It was almost like a father talking to a son. And he had lost his own father and never had a good relationship with him anyway. He had always yearned for a kind, benevolent older man to guide him in life, steer him in the right direction, offer advice when needed.
“I might just be interested,” he said, feeling a surge of excitement.
The earl beamed at him, refilling his glass. “That is a start, Alexander. A very good start.” He hesitated. “But I do have one condition upon you are inheriting the title and estate. A condition which I believe would benefit you and all involved.”
“A condition?” Alexander bristled. He did not know if he liked the sound of that. “What condition?”
The old man hesitated, before staring him straight in the eye. “I want you to marry my granddaughter, Olivia.”
“What?” Alexander had just taken a mouthful of wine, which he almost spluttered over the table. “Marry your granddaughter! Does she know that you want this?”
The earl looked shamefaced. “She knows nothing about you yet. I wanted to spend time with you first, get your measure, before mentioning anything about you to her and her mother.” He paused. “I like you, Alexander. I like you very much. Will you at least consider what I ask?”
“But why?” Alexander was mystified yet again. “Why do you want her to marry me? Could not she have any titled gentleman she desired?”
“She could,” said the Earl, frowning. “She is beautiful, spirited and accomplished. A credit to her mother. But there is one thing that I cannot give her, and I know that she wants more than anything in this world. Something thatIwant her to have more than anything in the world, as well. Something that I might be able to give her if she marries you.”
“What?” Alexander was bewildered.
“This,” said the Earl, opening his arms wide, gazing around the room. “All this. Her home. Her rightful inheritance. Herplace.” His voice was filled with emotion. If only she had been born a boy.”
