That he would forget how to speak, how to act around her, he had decided to worry about another time. However, he looked forward to their safe arrival and seeing not only Victoria but also her brother, his good friend the duke.
"The rooms are ready for the guests, my lord," his housekeeper said, pulling his attention away from the window where he was trying to spot any carriage on the drive.
"Excellent, thank you, Mrs. Wigg." His housekeeper, pleased, nodded and started toward the back of the house.
He had planned everything for Victoria's stay, the dinners, all of which would be at least five courses. Nothing was too much for a duke's daughter. Horse rides about the estate, and boating, if she liked. His lake was one of the largest in the county, not to mention the Roman ruins that sat on an island within its center were always a location guests liked to explore.
Or would enjoy, should he ever invite any.
The sound of a carriage rumbling along the gravel pulled him back to the window, and he looked outside to see the black, highly polished carriage with the Penworth coat of arms on the door roll to a halt.
Albert looked down at his clothing, checking his attire was in order before heading outdoors. He met them at the carriage just as a footman was helping the duchess alight before the one person he seemed to be holding his breath to see once again came into view. Victoria placed her slippered foot on the carriage step, holding the footman's hand as she stepped onto the gravel drive. Her attention snapped to the house, and she looked up at it with what he hoped was pleasure before her direct, sweet gaze descended on him.
His breath caught at seeing her again and heat bloomed on his cheeks. He swallowed the unease, the fear of her rejection, and pushed past that gut-churning concern, stepping toward them all and bowing. "Your Graces, Lady Victoria, may I welcome you to Rosedale."
Victoria's mother gave him her hand, smiling. "Lord Melvin, it is lovely that you would allow us to stay here as we travel through Hampshire. We look forward to our stay, and please, call me Sarah."
Albert cleared his throat, unsure if he should follow such disregard to etiquette and forms of address that should be adhered to with a duchess. His friend, Penworth, stepped forward, shaking his hand. "Melvin, it is good to see you again. It has been too long."
Albert nodded in agreement. They had been friends since school, Eton to be exact, and as much as Penworth had tried to get him to be more outgoing, exuberant, and a charmer of anything in a silk skirt, Albert had never been able to be part of the boys’ club. His nerves simply couldn't allow him to be at ease, and so eventually, he had watched his friends go off on their jaunts, and he had stayed behind. Had learned to be content with his own company.
He no longer wanted such a way of existence. He wanted a wife. He wanted Victoria if she would have him.
The woman herself materialized before him, her wide smile and bright eyes leaving him a little speechless.
"Lord Melvin, thank you for your hospitality."
"It is my pleasure," he said, turning and gesturing to the house. "Come, I have your rooms ready if you would like to freshen up. Luncheon will be served within the hour."
They made their way into the house, and he quickly took them upstairs, pointing out the rooms visible from the staircase, which were many, the library, his office that he liked to keep separate just in case of guests such as he was hosting now. The dining room, downstairs parlor, game room, and ballroom.
They made the first-floor landing, and he led them to the guest wing where two maids waited to help the duchess and Lady Victoria. Albert then led Penworth toward his room. "I hope you will be comfortable here."
Penworth glanced into his room, one of the largest and most opulent in the house, and nodded, seemingly pleased. "Of course. I'm always happy to stay with one of my oldest friends, but there is something that I do wish to discuss with you if you have a moment before lunch."
"Of course," Albert said, unable to think of what that could be, while also curious. "I shall meet you in the library whenever you're ready."
Albert did not have long to wait. Within twenty minutes, dressed in a fresh shirt and cravat, buckskin breeches, and knee-high polished boots, the duke strode into the library, his jacket idly folded over one arm.
"Rosedale is looking wonderful." Penworth walked over to the decanter of whiskey before Albert had a chance to offer him a drink, picking up the crystal decanter. "Drink?" he asked.
"It is I who should be offering you a glass, but yes, thank you."
"Do not concern yourself. I have been traveling the last year, and let me tell you, I have learned to be quite self-sufficient, which is never a bad thing, I would say."
Albert took the glass, taking a sip. "I couldn't agree more." The duke walked about the library for a few minutes before seating himself across from Albert, pinning him with his stare.
"I wanted to speak to you about the invitation that you forwarded to my family. I cannot help but ponder that there is a purpose for you doing so. Are you wanting to court my sister?"
Albert, having been taking a sip, sucked in the whiskey and choked. He coughed for several moments as he gained his equilibrium. Should he tell Penworth the truth? That he would like nothing more than to court Victoria and see if her affection for him ran deeper than mere benign fondness.
He supposed he would have to get Penworth's approval if he wished to marry his sister, so honesty was always best.
"While I have no illusions to marry Lady Victoria, I do welcome the opportunity
