by Gill, Tamara
She shushed him, biting back a grin. "Do not say such things, my lord." She thanked a passing footman who handed her a glass of champagne. "You are not supposed to remind a lady of her inappropriate behaviors."
He shrugged, sipping his whiskey. "They were not inappropriate to me. Far from it. In fact," he continued, "the memory of them has kept me company these many months you were away."
Victoria shook her head at his teasing. "But I am home now, and we're back in London. I do hope we can remain friends, Lord Melvin."
Frustration drove through him. Had Victoria made her choice? Was it to shun marriage, keep herself at arm’s length to love? "We shall always be friends." The words were thick and all but choked him as he spoke them. He finished his whiskey, downing it in one swallow. "Tell me, how were your travels to France? I heard you left not long after returning from Hampshire."
"I did indeed travel abroad, and it was everything I had hoped. Paris was divine, and Elizabeth and Henry did everything to make my time there enjoyable. When we returned, Alice had birthed a daughter, so it was the perfect ending to a lovely year."
He had finished his book early and had locked himself away at Rosedale during the winter months, plotting his next release and hoping his publishers enjoyed his latest manuscript. He wanted to tell Victoria of his secret, but he did not know where to find the words.
If he thought that she would contact him, write to him, he had been mistaken. Not that he had not thought about writing to her, but then did not want to look as desperate as he was currently feeling.
"Congratulations on becoming an aunt once more. I hope Lady Arundel is well."
"She is very well, thank you." Victoria sidled closer. "I'm sorry that I did not write to you, Albert. I did think of you often and missed you a great deal. I know after all that I said, I should not be saying these things now, but they are the truth."
His gut clenched, and a small spark of hope caught alight. "I wanted to write to you too," he murmured, "but then did not send any of my letters. I did not think you would have time to miss me with all that you were experiencing."
"My sister charged me to travel abroad and to be in London this Season to determine my future."
"Are you certain of what you want?" he couldn't help but ask, even though the possibility of her reply could break him.
"Not anymore."
He turned to face her and stopped at the sight of Victoria’s brother-in-law Gerald Armstrong making his drunken way over to them. The gleeful light in the man's eyes raising the hairs on the back of Albert's neck.
"Oh dear," he heard Victoria say, just as Gerald bowed, almost tumbling into them. The cur was due a comeuppance such as the one his late brother never received, and Albert was just in the mood to deliver one.
* * *
Victoria looked down her nose at Gerald as best she could, considering the man was several inches higher than she, it was no mean feat. Even so, Albert at her side, a pillar of strength, made her feel safe and above the nuisance of a man she used to call family. After Paul’s betrayal, he had mocked her, taunted her that it was her fault his brother had fled to Europe. How she hated the man as much as the one she married.
Albert's dislike of Gerald radiated off of him and she was surprised the man did not flee.
"Mr. Armstrong," she said, giving him her hand. "Where is Bertha this evening? I do not see her with you."
"Gerald, my dear. We are family after all."
"We were family, sir. Not anymore," she returned, her tone bored. "You did not answer my question. Where is your wife? Are you so disillusioned at being married such as your brother that you have locked her away out in the country already?"
The man's cheeks turned a ruddy red, and she was glad of it. He had embarrassed her for months before Paul had been killed in a duel. She owed him no friendship or respect.
"She did not wish to attend the Season. She has little reason to be here."
"Really?" Victoria smirked. "Please pass my regards the next time you see her."
Mr. Armstrong's eyes narrowed. Albert chuckled and covered his laugh with a cough.
"Lord Melvin. I see you are now chasing my sister-in-law’s skirts. Are you not an imbecile who cannot speak to a lady without, oh," he said, slapping his forehead, "I forget. You do not speak at all to begin with, to make a fool of yourself more." Gerald let out a bellowing, phony laugh, pulling the attention of other guests their way.
Victoria ground her teeth, not willing for the little weasel to get away with such rudeness.
"Your brother was a fool to let such a rare gem go, and I'm glad to see you here this evening to acknowledge your brother’s folly to your face," Albert said, leaning close to Mr. Armstrong for only him to hear his last words. “Your presence here is not welcome,” he added, his tone deadly.
Gerald looked between them, and Victoria could see his calculating gaze taking in everything he saw. So, like Paul, always wanting to cause trouble and strife. "You will not get too far with this one,” Gerald said, gesturing to her. “She's a prickly, cold, miss and a bad lay, so my brother declared. You would have to grow fur, bark, and neigh for her to like you."
The crunch of bone hitting bone sounded before Victoria had any idea of what had occurred. She stared at the vacant location before her that was once occupied by Gerald.
She looked down, seeing him sprawled on the floor, a bloody nose for his troubles. He groaned but did little else. Victoria looked back to Albert, having not expected him to act so heroically.
Having not expected his act to make her pulse race.
"You hit him." She chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. It was never polite to laugh at someone else's misfortune, but for Gerald, she’d make an exception.
"I would do more than that to him should he dare speak to you again," Albert said, turning to her. "I would slay anyone who mistreats or talks down to you."
Victoria stared at Albert, and the months slipped away, and they were once again alone at Rosedale. His sweetness touched a part of her that no one else ever had, and it was time she admitted to that emotion. For it did have a name. And once spoken, there was no tearing it back.
No ripping her from the man she spoke those words to.
Not ever.
Chapter 38
Victoria pulled Albert away from Gerald, who continued to lay about the parquetry ballroom floor, moaning about his bloody nose and his calling to face Lord Melvin at dawn.
"You will not be dueling with Mr. Armstrong, so do not even consider it," she said, leading them away from the kafuffle and out onto the terrace. The outdoor terrace area had not been utilized for the ball, and no lanterns hung from the wisteria growing over the paved space to light the guest's way should they wish to get some air.
Victoria pulled Albert about the side of the house, farther into darkness, needing to be alone with him, wanting him all to herself.
"I think we have gone far enough," he said, pulling her to a stop.
Victoria checked their surroundings, ensuring they were alone. She took a calming breath, hoping that what she had to say would be well-received.
That he would have forgiven her for crushing his wishes last year at Rosedale. That he wanted her still. "Albert, there is something that I must tell you."
He frowned, a muscle at his temple flexing as he stared at her. "You do not need to say anything. I know that you do not wish to marry again. You enjoyed your travels abroad and wish to continue them as you should. Seeing Gerald tonight reminded me of what a horrendous marriage you must have endured. I will not stand in your way of ever being another man’s property."
She shook her head, knowing that he did not understand. Not at all. "No, Albert, you misunderstand me. I do wish to travel, that is true. I loved Paris and want to explore the world further, but that is not all. The entire time I was away, I did nothing but think of you. When boating down the Seine, I wondered what you would think of this and that, Notre Dame, the Lourve, the small, quaint
restaurants, and the people. I walked the streets, and the entire time I wanted you beside me. Exploring the world with me."
He frowned down at her, confusion marring his brow. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," she said, stepping against him and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I made a mistake when I left Rosedale. I adore you, Albert. I missed you every moment of every day since the time I left Hampshire. I'm saying that although I do not want children, I do want you. I want a life with you, to explore the world with you by my side."
Victoria swallowed her fear. She was asking a lot for a man, for a lord with responsibilities, but she knew she had to be truthful with him. Allow him to make his own decision if a life with her was right for him.
"Would you marry me?" she asked him, holding his gaze and praying that he would say yes. That he would find her enough in the life that they would live and not require everything that normally came with a marriage.
* * *
Albert stared down at Victoria. Her strength, beauty, and vulnerability at asking him to be hers a strength not found in everyone. The words soothed his aching soul, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close.
He would never let her go again.
"I missed you, my darling Victoria. When you left, I thought we should see each other at balls and parties, two people who shared so much for a time, but a snippet only. As fleeting as a shooting star. I will marry you and love you until the day that I die.” He paused, knowing there was one last thing to admit to her before the night was over. “There is something that I must tell you."
She stared up at him, her eyes bright and full of hope and happiness. "Are you going to tell me that you're the famous author, Elbert Retsek? I know you are already aware how much I love his books."
He chuckled. How lucky he was to have her. "How did you know? No one in England other than my publisher is aware."
"Well," she said, raising one brow, a mischievous tilt to her lips. "You did leave a page of your manuscript at Dunsleigh, which I found. I was certain that it was the same voice and tone as Retsek, but when Mama told me you had used the library to catch up on paperwork during your stay, I wondered if it was you. Lady Sophie and her teasing of you scribbling away at that hunting lodge day and night solidified my suspicions."
"Why did you never ask me?" he queried, curious.
"I knew you would tell me when you were ready. I'm a patient woman. I suppose I've had to be since I'm the youngest female in my family. I would wait forever for you too," she told him, running her hand across his cheek.
"All my heroines are mimicks of you. You are my muse, my reason and inspiration behind my words."
"Really?" Her smile brightened. "How lovely and happy that makes me." Victoria met his gaze, a pensive light entering her eyes. "Please assure me, Albert, that you do not mind that I'm asking for it only ever to be the two of us. I do not think I could survive the guilt should you ever resent me for not wanting children."
He shook his head, more than happy for the rest of their lives to be only them. If that is what Victoria wanted, he would not change her to suit his needs. "I have a cousin, a good man with a good heart who is married and can sire heirs well enough. We do not have to have children if you do not wish to."
"But I have wolfhounds and horses. You will not mind me bringing them to Rosedale?"
He chuckled, kissing her forehead, rocking her in his arms, hope and relief pouring through him like a balm. "No, I do not mind. You may bring whatever pleases you to Rosedale. A cat, birds, rabbits, whatever takes your fancy."
"Albert," she said, slipping her hands up about his neck. She played with the hair at his nape. He had missed having her in his arms, smelling the sweet scent of jasmine whenever she was around. "I'm sorry it took me so very long to understand what I wanted. You must know that had I not been so determined to have my way, I would have recognized what I felt for you months ago. I was scared to trust myself. To trust in what I felt for you after making such a momentous mistake with Paul."
"And what do you feel?" he asked her, hoping to hear the words she had yet to speak.
"That I love you, too. That I want you and no other in the world."
Albert leaned down, taking her lips in a slow dance of seduction. He'd dreamed for so long to have her beside him, warming his bed. Now she would be there for the rest of their lives. His wife. His heart.
"I love you, Victoria," he replied, holding her close. "I want to have adventures with you. Whatever makes you happy is agreeable to me."
She bit her lip, her eyes overly bright. "How have I come to deserve you? A man who is willing to forgo so much to love my quirks and ideals."
He shrugged, taking her lips in a short, soft embrace. "I've wanted you for so long. If that means to win your heart, I step away from what is expected of myself as well. I am willing to do that. With you as my wife, the sacrifice is no hardship."
"Thank you." She leaned up, kissing him again, and he deepened the embrace, needing her with a hunger starved these many months.
He walked her backward until her back came up against the ivy-clad wall of the house. She murmured acquiescence, and he kissed her deeply. The embrace turned lascivious, and they hurled caution and decency aside, dismissing their location or the ball that was in full swing nearby.
He shucked up her gown, lifting her to straddle his hips. Albert ripped at his front falls, needing to have her.
She helped him, guiding herself onto his cock with an assurance that left him breathless. He took her hard up against the ivy with little care. Victoria clutched at his neck, moving her hips to increase her pleasure.
Her breathless sighs and murmured words of praise pushed him on, continued them along the path to pleasure. It did not take long before the first contractions of her release pulled at his cock.
Albert did not draw out and find his release until she was spent. Soon she would be his, and they would not need to sneak about and grasp interludes such as the one they just had.
"I shall have the first banns called on Sunday, and four weeks from now, you shall be Marchioness Melvin."
He helped her regain her feet, ensuring her dress was back in place to return indoors. "Shall we go and speak to Josh now? He will be pleased I think that I'm to marry his friend."
Albert smiled. "I think the duke shall be pleased too." The sooner Victoria was declared his, the better he would sleep. The anxiety of losing her sometimes too hard to bear over the past months. "Let us go. A champagne toast to celebrate our forthcoming marriage is required before the night is over."
"Albert." She pulled him to a stop as he went to move away. "Thank you for being so modern in thinking. I do not think I could have married a man more suited to me."
He grinned down at her. "I'm an author of gothic romance, my dear. Are you sure you are not modern thinking toward me instead?"
Her smile warmed his soul. "We are a good pair then, are we not?"
Albert wrenched her back into his arms, kissing her soundly. "We are the very best, and I will spend every day for the remainder of our lives proving it to you. You have no fear of ever having your heart broken again. I shall guard it with mine."
"I cannot wait." She laughed as he took her hand and pulled her back toward the ball. An announcement was needed to declare his intent. Lady Victoria Worthingham, sister to the Duke of Penworth, was no longer a coveted widow in town for she had said yes.
The future Marchioness Melvin.
How well that sounded.
Epilogue
The Grand Canal, Venice 1817
Victoria leaned out over the balcony on the house Albert had leased for them during the summer months in Venice. She breathed in the salty, fresh air of the Adriatic Sea. Still unable to quite comprehend that this would be her home for the time being or how very beautiful the city was—one of the finest she'd seen during their many years of travel.
She looked up and down the canal, observing tourists and locals alike on go
ndolas, hanging out their washing or shopping for their night's dinner at local food stalls.
They were to stay here for several weeks before returning to England to review Albert’s estates, having traveled from Rome. Another city that she could not wait to return to and explore more.
Victoria let out a contented sigh. How very fortunate she was. Not just in her situation in life, but how blessed she had been to marry Albert. To have found her greatest love within her second marriage.
As promised, he had showered her with love and devotion and never asked for her to change her mind and give him children.
She often worried that she was selfish. Fortunately, Albert's cousin had a male child, and so should the worst happen, the lineage was secure first through Albert's cousin and then his son.
"What are you doing out here, my love?" he said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. He leaned his chin on her shoulder, rocking her slightly.
Victoria clasped his arms to her stomach. "Watching people and remembering how wonderful our time has been abroad. Not just here in Venice, but each year since our marriage. I do not think I tell you often enough how much I adore and love you," she said, glancing over her shoulder at him.
She could feel the smile on his face. "It is no hardship to be married to you, my darling. There are no thanks necessary."
Victoria turned in his arms. They had spent the afternoon in bed, making delicious love. Albert had joined her wearing only his breeches, his toned abdomen tanned and muscular after years of traveling abroad hers to enjoy.
She ran her hand over his chiseled stomach, hers fluttering with desire. "But it is true. I never wish for our charmed life to end."
He kissed her softly, and her breath caught. She loved him more today than the day she had asked him to be her husband. The idea of losing him often made her panicked, so much as she adored him.
