"I am trying," he replied, ready for his lesson.
"I thought this morning, while Mama is sleeping in, we could have our first lesson." She waved her hand around the conservatory. "This room not only smells divine, but it can also be a place for a tryst between couples. Not that I partook in one. Mr. Armstrong, before our marriage, was quite respectable, I must add for clarification, but the delicious scents, the beautiful outlook, the calming sound of the fountains, which you're lucky enough to have, all help in creating an atmosphere simply perfect for seduction."
Albert shifted on his chair, not realizing with all this talk of seduction from the very woman he'd love in his bed would make his body misbehave. Victoria certainly knew what she was speaking of and could help him. She had been married after all. Not in winning another woman, but winning her. If he found out what she liked, what made her swoon when a gentleman called, there was a chance he could court her, convince her that marriage to him would be so very different than her first.
"Go on," he urged, wanting to know more.
"If you were at a ball and happened to stroll with the woman you intend to marry, and I must stress this, you must not simply walk off to seduce anyone who takes your fancy. That will never do. I shall not like such underhanded, cruel actions toward an unmarried maid."
"I would never do such a thing," he promised, crossing his chest in the hopes that she would believe him.
She studied him a moment, her perfectly straight teeth biting her bottom lip in thought. Albert swallowed hard. Dear God, these lessons would be torture. "Very good. I'm glad you agree. Now, should you stroll into such a room, you may pick a flower, give it to the lady, tell her she is as sweet as the rose you gifted her, or whatever plant that takes your fancy."
Albert couldn't think of anyone he would rather stroll with than the woman before him. "Shall we try it now?" he suggested. “Practice makes perfect, do you not agree?"
Victoria stood, pulling him up to join her. "Oh yes, you are right."
They strolled for several steps, Victoria's arms entwined with his. "Let us pretend that you wish for me to be your wife. That we're at a ball, and you've been courting me for several weeks. Talk to me with what you think a suitor may say to the woman he adores."
Albert pushed down the nervous flutter at having to say anything romantic, especially to Victoria, whom he did, in fact, want as his own. What if she realized what he said was heartfelt? He would never get over the shame should she not want the same. Which from previous conversations, and rumor about town, she did not.
He cleared his throat. "A lovely night for a stroll. Thank you for escorting me here this evening. I know that you risk much by doing so."
She looked up at him, her eyes alight. "Hmm, very good, Albert. And I particularly liked how your voice sounded an octave lower than normal. A seductive quality that you didn't know you had, I would assume."
She would assume right. He hadn't realized he'd dropped his voice to a lower octave. "Have I mentioned how very beautiful you look this evening?" he continued, meaning every word. Even though Victoria was not adorned with jewels or an opulent silk gown, having her here at Rosedale in his arms, she was simply the most perfect lady he'd ever met.
"Thank you. You look very handsome too." She stopped and turned to face him. Victoria reached up to clasp the lapel of his jacket, her hand warm through his shirt and waistcoat.
Could she feel his heart beating madly in his chest? His mind whirled with what she was doing. Was this part of the lessons, or had his words had more effect on her than he thought they would? Shit, he did not know.
"A lady may touch you like this if you have been courting for several weeks. Even so, it would help if you did not give in to your urges. Remain the gentleman always, let the lady decide the pace of courtship."
Albert watched her lips move, but he heard very little. His body had a mind of its own, and all he could think about was kissing those sweet lips that were trying to help him.
"She may even try to lean up and kiss you. Whatever will you do then," Victoria said, leaning upon her tiptoes and placing her but a breath away from him.
His gaze dipped to her lips, and he realized he was holding her hips. "I would kiss her back."
"You could," Victoria said, stepping out of his hold, all business and teacher-like once again. "If you had been courting and you wished her to be your wife. If not, you should excuse yourself and remove your person from the room before you’re embroiled in scandal."
The idea of their lessons, of what else she would teach him, made him long for more. The scandal could go hang. He wanted her back in his arms, her sweet lips tempting his.
"Tell me what else I should know when courting a woman. I must know all the secrets if I'm to marry a woman and keep her content."
They walked on, and Victoria picked a rose, handing it to him. "This is for you," she said, "as a token of my affection. You could say something similar. But you cannot send a letter or gift, flowers only. I would suggest keeping your time alone with any lady to a minimum, even with a chaperone unless you do indeed wish to marry her."
"I'm alone with you right now without a chaperone," he couldn't help but add, wondering if she had realized such a thing.
"Oh, that does not signify. I was married and there is nothing that will
