A Most Unconventional Courtship

‘It would be a good idea to start a family soon, don’t you think? I wouldn’t like Demetri’s nose to be out of joint when he realises that he might be my ward, but he cannot inherit—and it might be if we wait until he’s older.’

‘You will make them your wards?’ Alessa sat up, pulling him down beside her, her hand keeping his palm still pressed to her skin. In the back of her mind had been the worry about the children—surely an earl would not want to adopt Greek peasant children? But it seemed Chance was happily prepared to throw every convention to the wind for her.

‘Of course. Now, my love, would you like to sleep? No? Are you hungry?’ She shook her head. ‘There are no books, no cards—what are we going to do to keep occupied? Go for a walk to visit the goats?’

Alessa let her brow furrow in mock-thought, playing his game. ‘That sounds very tempting. But I think I should practise making love some more, don’t you? There seems to be so much to learn.’

‘I know,’ Chance said. ‘That is a worry. Perhaps we should sacrifice the walk—’

He was interrupted by a querulous bleat. They both looked round to see a nanny goat standing in the doorway, regarding them with deep disapproval. Chance bent down and hurled a stone in its general direction, hitting the doorframe. The goat bounded off with a rattle of stones and they lay for a moment listening to the retreating sound of the herd stampeding away.

‘Chaperons,’ Chance said with a disgusted sigh. ‘You see, the sooner we get married, the better, my love—’ He broke off with a gasp. ‘What are you doing!’

‘Exploring,’ Alessa said happily. ‘Darling Chance, what happens if I do this?’

And he rolled over with a growl and showed her.