by Gill, Tamara
Albert let out a huff of breath intertwined with a groan. "You cannot do that, as much as I would enjoy the lesson."
Victoria shrugged, determined to get her way. She licked her lips, already imagining what he would do when she took him in hand, guided him into her mouth. Would he moan her name, clasp her hair as she had gripped his? When he spent his seed, what would he do? Would it spill into her mouth, or would he make her stop?
"Oh, I'm going to start and finish the lesson, my lord. That is part of the deal, is it not? For us both to learn while we're able to do so."
He spun her in the dance, and she laughed, catching sight of her mother, who looked upon them with a warm but calculating gaze.
"Mama is watching us, and if I can read my mama as well as I believe I can, I do think she believes we're courting."
He raised his brows, setting Victoria a respectable distance from him again. "I suppose we do look comfortable enough in each other's company that people would assume that is the case. But your mama knows you are helping me navigate the marriage mart. I'm sure she's merely pleased we are enjoying ourselves."
"I would be enjoying myself more should we be alone and back at Rosedale."
Albert missed a step in the dance but righted them before being noticed. "Do not say such things, Victoria."
She let her hand slide up his shoulder, her finger tracing the back of his neck. "I want to see you shatter under my kiss, Albert. Just as I shattered under yours."
* * *
Albert fought for calm, his body a riot of wants and needs. He wanted to drag her from the dance, out into the carriage, and have her in all the ways imaginable. And more if she agreed.
As it was, he was glad there were several minutes left of the waltz due to his raging cock in his breeches that should anyone look closely enough, would undoubtedly notice.
He wanted to see her plump, supple lips wrapped about his phallus. He wanted to see her work him, suck him hard until he spilled in her mouth. The idea that is what she wanted to do to him left him incapable of calm.
"What if you do not like it?"
She lifted one delicate shoulder, looking up at him under long, dark lashes. She was so pretty it made him ache just being near her. With a need that went beyond the physical, he wanted her to be his, to have her in his bed every night so he could give her pleasure. Watch her shatter under his touch again and again.
"I shall like it. I know I will. And there is no danger in what we are to do. I cannot become enceinte by being with you in that way."
No, she could not. But that did not mean that it made her wholly safe. For him, at least, each time they were together, either like this, conversing and alone or giving each other pleasure, his heart became less independent of her.
He was in love with her, had been for years if he were truthful with himself. How was he to watch her leave him when she tired of the lessons and thought him prepared for the world, the London season. A life without her?
He could not continue with the lessons indefinitely. Eventually, she would return home, and he would have lost her.
The dance came to a regretful end, and he led her over to her mama.
"I think I have had enough of the dance, my lord," Victoria remarked, as she joined her mother and brother, who was speaking to Lord Hammilyn just a little ways away.
"I agree, my dear. Shall I motion Josh that we're ready to depart?"
Victoria nodded just as loud shouts and the sound of shattering wood sounded near the back of the hall.
"Quickly, to the carriage," Josh said, ushering them toward the doors. "Two local men have started brawling."
Albert looked to where the commotion occurred and noted several other men had now joined in the fray, and the scene represented a day at Gentleman Jackson more than a country dance. "We must leave," he agreed, helping the duke separate the ladies from the danger.
Albert helped the duke as he searched for the family carriage. Thankfully it was not blocked in, and they were soon on their way back to Rosedale.
"Well, I say. Tonight was going so well too. Several young gentlemen wished to dance with you, Victoria. I suppose we shall have to wait for Lord and Lady Hammilyn's ball for them to ask for your hand."
"Mama, I hope you have not been singing my praises to everyone who should walk by you. You know that I find such interfering unpalatable."
"Really, dear. How else am I to have you find a husband when you do nothing to draw them in? If I need to converse with young men in your stead, sing your praises, then I shall. When you are happily settled, I shall stop."
Albert watched as Victoria rolled her eyes before meeting his gaze across the darkened carriage. He fisted his hands at his sides. The idea of Victoria being courted, of having sweet, hollow words whispered in her ears, left him to want to do physical damage to anyone who dared courtship with her.
She could not want anyone else. Certainly, from what she said, she did not want any man. The urge to reach across, wrench her onto his lap, and start what she had promised him the night would encompass overwhelmed him.
"In any case, I suppose it will not be tonight." The duchess yawned, covering her mouth with the little silk fan that hung on her wrist. "I am to bed when we return home."
"I agree," Victoria said, a mischievous light in her eye. Albert knew she would do no such thing. Expectation thrummed through his veins, and he counted down the time until she was in his arms and his bed.
Later...
Chapter 28
Upon returning home, Victoria ordered warm water to her room and bathed quickly. After the dance, the smoke and scents from the night left her in need of a wash. Her maid helped her, brushing her hair and setting it into a long knot that slipped over her shoulder.
Victoria dismissed her maid for the night before getting under the covers of her bed. The house soon quietened, the sound of the last servants going about the halls and rooms, dousing the candles and collecting any dishes that may have been used in the parlor upstairs.
Victoria sneaked out of bed, opening her door to check into the hall, pleased to see it cloaked in darkness, only slithers of moonlight stole in from the bank of windows at either end of the hall.
She checked her brother's door, saw no light coming from under it, and sneaked out of her room, closing her door as quietly as she could before tiptoeing to Albert’s suite.
Without knocking, she entered and found herself riveted to the spot. Albert stood before his washbasin, stark naked. His bottom, toned and a lovely muscular shape stared directly at her.
Victoria remembered to close the door and snipped the lock, wasting no time in going over to him. He bent over the bowl, seemingly unfazed that she was seeing him in his full glory.
And what a glorious sight he was to behold. With husbands such as Albert to come home to after a ball or party, one would have to wonder why one would go out at all.
Or travel abroad as a widow when one could have such a man warming one's bed.
Victoria came up behind him, running her hand over his bottom. Goosebumps rose on his back, and she kissed him there, along his spine, wanting him with a need that scared her.
She should not be here or igniting a rendezvous, but blast her scattered mind, she could not leave. Could not do the right thing by the man before her.
"You are lovely to behold, my lord." Emboldened, she reached around, running her finger around the underside of his shaft. His manhood jutted out, erect and eager. She felt him, teased him and her stomach clenched, wanting him with a madness that would not be sated.
He turned, staring down at her. Her attention snapped to his muscled chest and she ogled it without indiscretion. With every breath, it rose and fell, tightened, and glistened from the little amount of water from his wash.
"You make my heart stop," he cooed, his voice husky. Albert scooped her up in his arms, taking her lips in a kiss that made her forget all her troubles. Her future, the decisions she had to make melted away as he carried her
over to the bed, laying her down.
He joined her, and she pushed him to lay on his back, a question in his blue orbs over what she was doing. "Tonight, my lord, it is my turn to learn what you like. Enjoy you as much as I want." Victoria ran her hand over his chest, her attention feasting on his manhood. A purple-blue vein ran along its length, his shaft thick and long.
Whenever Paul had come to their marriage bed it had been dark and she scarcely viewed his manhood in the six weeks they were married. Certainly, they had never learned each other as privately as she was becoming to know Albert.
He lay his arms beneath his head, watching her, an amused light glinted in his blue orbs. "Do you like what you see, my lady?"
She smiled, biting her lip as she moved down the bed to come face-to-face with his shaft. Victoria touched it softly, marveling at its silky softness. "I love what I see, Albert. I'm going to kiss you there now," she admitted to him.
She heard him suck in a calming breath, but he did not move or try to stop her. The first taste of him, earthy and a little salty was not unpleasant, if anything, she liked the essence. She kissed the tip of his manhood, smiling as it jumped at her touch. With care, she wrapped her lips about the head of his shaft, sucking. "Is this right?" she asked him.
His fingers spiked through her hair. "Yes," he gasped.
Victoria could feel every muscle in Albert's body tighten. A little part of her crowed that she could make him mad with desire.
She took him into her mouth fully then. The feel of him, hard, but velvety was unlike any sensation she'd ever experienced before. He quivered each time she took him farther into her mouth.
"Yes, like that, my darling," he breathed, his voice tremulous.
Victoria watched him as she gave him pleasure, their eyes met, his ablaze with a need that sparked heat at her core.
"I have another idea," he groaned, sitting up and holding her at bay.
She sat back on her haunches, unsure what this idea would be. "Tell me what it is?"
Albert reached for her nightdress, pulling it from her body in one swift movement. She sat on his bed now, as naked as he. The cool night air kissed her skin, and she felt her nipples pucker under his inspection. He traced her pinkened flesh, laying a sweet kiss on each of her breasts.
She sighed, holding him close.
"While you're taking me in your mouth, let me bring you to climax. Let me taste you too but at the same time."
"Is that possible?" Her body hummed at the idea of Albert kissing her cunny while she pleasured him. Moisture flooded her core at the idea of such naughtiness.
"It's in the book. Trust me, it's possible."
She bit her lip, nodding. "I'm willing if you are."
Albert chuckled, pulling her close. "You know I'm more than willing. Now, come."
Victoria shivered, hoping he meant that literally as well as figuratively.
* * *
Albert lay back down on the bed and took several calming breaths as Victoria straddled his body, placing her sweet cunny before his face. He'd never partaken in the sexual position, but he had admired the sketching in the book on several occasions.
The thought that Victoria trusted him enough to allow him such liberties with her body left him honored. He clasped her ass, slipping her against his face, and kissed her.
There…
She was hot and wet, her gasp of pleasure as he kissed her weeping flesh making his cock rock hard. Without inhibition she undulated against his tongue, taking her pleasure, her gasps and moans pushing him to the brink.
She sucked his cock with vigor, enjoying herself as much as he. He teased her, flicked her nubbin with unrelentless strokes. She did not shy away, lose herself in her pleasure, but took him deeper into her mouth, rose to his challenge. He clasped her ass, holding her against his face and fucked her as well as she deserved, pushed her toward climax.
She moaned about his cock as he felt the first tremors of her climax thrum through her body. The knowledge spiked his release, and he came, hard and strong, pumping his seed until he was spent.
For a time, they lay as they were, their breathing ragged, their bodies damp with sweat and sex. Victoria rolled to his side and he smiled at her satisfied chuckle.
"Well, I must admit that position may have become one of my favorites, my lord."
He slapped her on the ass, electing a squeal from her. "Albert, not my lord. Not after that." He gestured between them.
"True." She smiled, meeting his gaze. "What other delightful positions are in that book of yours? If they are as good as the one we just tried, I'll be counting down the hours until we're alone again."
He would, too, count the hours. But a little tidbit of despair prickled his soul. He did not want to have to wait for the house to be abed. Have to wait for them to steal away to unoccupied rooms. He wanted to be able to make love to Victoria whenever they wished. He wanted her to be his wife, his to love and cherish forever.
"There are others we can try," he found himself saying. "Meet me here this time tomorrow night, and we'll explore more of what we can do together."
She flipped about on the bed, slumping over his chest. She kissed him, a slow, intoxicating kiss that left his heart aching. "Tonight was my choice. Tomorrow I shall let you choose what we do."
Marry me then, Albert wanted to ask. Instead, he raised his brow, giving her a mischievous grin. "A dangerous game, Victoria. Are you sure you wish to keep playing?"
"Oh yes, I like this game," she said before kissing him soundly once again, and they lost each other to several more hours of pleasure. And Albert lost a little more of his heart to the woman in his arms.
Chapter 29
The following day dawned one of the hottest of the year, even though the summer months were giving way to August's chill. Victoria wore a dress of white muslin and ordered lemonade out on the terrace as she caught up with her sister's correspondence.
She told Alice of her time here, her enjoyment, and the town dance, but she did not tell her sister everything that had taken place within the walls of the Rosedale estate.
Her mama sat across from her, waving her silk fan before her face as she gazed out on the lawn.
"You and Lord Melvin seem to be fast friends. Is there a possibility with you helping him gain his feet in society that you have not fallen at his?"
Her mother's question pulled her from her thoughts, and she glanced up, noting her mother's serious visage.
"Of course not," she lied, knowing that was far from the truth. She had come to not only enjoy Albert's company but longed for it. The idea of leaving, traveling for years about the world without him, left her cold instead of excited.
It was a turn of events that she had not assumed would happen, and she wasn't entirely happy about her muddled thoughts. All of her conflicting emotions could be laid at her bastard late husband’s feet. His cruelty and scandalous lifestyle would be enough to scare anyone for the hills and never wish to marry again. She was no different, even though Albert was nothing like Paul.
"We are friends. Nothing more, Mama."
Her mother let out a little annoyed huff of breath. "Please, my dear. I may be older than you, and my first season may have happened some years ago, but this is not my first foray into a ballroom. I know when two people are more than friends."
Victoria continued to scribble words down to her sister, but as to what she was writing, she could not say. Her mother's words distracted her to no end. "Lord Melvin wishes for a wife. You forget that I do not wish for another husband."
Her mother clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You cannot travel the world on your own, my dear. Even if you are a widow and heiress, a daughter, and sister to a duke. You will get a reputation as being fast and our family will be looked down upon. Is that what you want?"
She sat back in her chair, throwing down her quill. "What do you mean I will gain a reputation? I will do as I want, and no one will stop me. I married the man you all thought fabulous and look
how that turned out. He ran off with a maid six weeks into our marriage, and then continued to whore his way about Europe before a husband shot him. No one will censure me for wanting to remain alone, not after Paul."
"I do believe your brother will want you to reconsider your plans."
"Not when he knows how important it is to me," Victoria argued, hating the idea of being told what to do by anyone, even her family. This was her life. Hers to live and enjoy. What was life if one hated all that it encompassed? “And I can do as I please. I’m not a debutante anymore, Mama. I’m a widow, such as yourself. Please try and remember such facts.”
When Paul had run off, after the initial shock had passed, anger replaced any sadness she may have felt. As a man he was free to do as he liked, sleep with numerous women without thought to his wife. She had promised herself that she would never be at another man’s beck and call. Never give them the power to hurt her, humiliate her as she had already endured.
The world was large and getting bigger by the day. So much to see other than English countrysides, grand estates, and the London Season. To change her plans simply because she had found pleasure in another man’s arms was illogical. No matter how much she cared for Albert, the life he wanted was so different to the one she coveted.
She could not settle again.
"I know Mr. Armstrong caused you pain and embarrassment, but Lord Melvin will not. You have nothing to fear from marrying his lordship."
"Nothing but the fact that I shall be stuck here in Hampshire for the rest of my life. Every year pushing out another child that will keep the family happy, so long as at least one is a male."
"You speak as if you are a broodmare."
"Am I not?" she argued. "Is that not what we're all expected as ladies to be? Women of privilege. Marry men of equal value, tolerate all their vices and mistresses they have in London while pushing out their children, putting our lives at risk each time we do so. I do not want that kind of life. I do not want children or a husband, Mama."
