Victoria huffed out a breath, knowing there were no such men left in England. Her sisters had married all the best men in England.
She dismissed the thought as soon as she had it, knowing it for the falsehood it was. Lord Melvin was a good man, handsome and kind, and while he may not ravish a lady, curl her toes in her silk slippers, he certainly had the ability to, should he know what to do...
"Sorry, Mama," she said, hating to disagree with her mama. "But I'm sure you're incorrect. Lord Melvin is merely wanting company and thought to invite one of his oldest friends to his estate. Not that we'll be here long enough for me to train him in the art of courtship. We leave in under a week."
"Oh yes, that reminds me, my dear." Her mama placed down her knitting. "Your brother wants to extend it a month. Lord Hammilyn, a nearby neighbor of Lord Melvin, is having a ball, and there is a country dance at Camberley the week prior to this. Your brother wishes to attend both events, and Lord Melvin has welcomed us staying the few extra weeks."
The news could not be better, and Victoria masked the little squeal of delight at knowing they would be here and have events to attend as well. This would be the perfect time for Lord Melvin to practice all that she taught him in the art of courtship. She would have to double her efforts if she wanted to get him ready for a ball in a matter of weeks.
And, once she had his trust, and he viewed her as a close friend, as close as he viewed her brother, she would be able to ask him about his author life, should he be the man she hoped him to be.
"I'm more than happy to stay here at Rosedale, Mama. The house and grounds are beautiful. This afternoon Lord Melvin has agreed to accompany me on a ride about the estate."
"Hmm, has he, my dear." Her mama’s lips pursed into another one of her I told you so looks before picking up her knitting once again. "Remember to take a groom with you."
Victoria stood, folding up her sketchbook and walking to the door. "I need to change for luncheon," she said, ignoring her mother's reminder of a chaperone once again. "I shall see you downstairs presently." She left the room, shaking her head and stepped directly into the path of Lord Melvin. She careened into him, her breasts pressing up hard against this chest, sending an odd sensation directly to her stomach.
His arms wrapped around her when she would have fallen. "I beg your pardon, Lady Victoria."
She steadied herself, ignoring the feel of his hands on her back, one on her hip. Or the fact she liked the feel of his hands on her. She shook her head, stepping to the side and out of his hold. Lord Melvin was her friend, possibly her favorite author in all of England. He was not marriageable material. No gentleman was when it came to her.
"It is I who should apologize. I was not looking where I was going."
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked her, his gaze dipping to her lips.
Unable to stop herself, she licked them and spied the muscles in his jaw clench and unclench.
Oh dear. Was her mama right? Did Lord Melvin like her more than just a friend? Did he harbor feelings for her? She hoped he did not. As much as she liked him, she wasn't looking for a husband. The idea revolted her after Paul, even if her sisters seemed so incandescently happy all of the time. She had not been so lucky in love as they had been.
"I'm off to change for lunch. Are we still on for our ride this afternoon?" she asked, hoping that it was so. She had not been on a horse for several days, and it was always refreshing riding about pleasant lands such as Lord Melvin owned.
"Of course, if you still wish to."
She nodded, excited at the prospect of being free for an hour or two. "I do." He stood back, seemingly unable to think of anything else to say. Victoria smiled and stepped around him, heading toward her room. He was so very unsure of himself all the time. They would need to work on that. Why he was so she could not fathom. He had friends. She knew that because Josh had mentioned it in years past. Not that he did much with them from all accounts. He was a man with everything at his feet, and yet to Victoria, he seemed lonely. She did not like that truth. It was time he came out of the shell he had cocooned himself within and live. And she was determined to make it so.
Chapter 10
They met at the stables where Albert had saddled a bay gelding, a good sixteen hands, and a steady horse, just as Victoria had asked for during lunch.
He liked the fact that she could ride, was competent and brave, no simpering miss. That she had requested when her mama was busy ordering a cup of tea by a maid that she did not wish to ride side-saddle, but astride, even more so.
Albert swallowed a curse, having thought himself prepared to see her dressed so. He was not. He shut his mouth with a snap, but could not avert his eyes as he should. The feminine figure on display, the long lean legs made a part of his brain think of the sexual positions book he’d been studying. He had never known a lady, a daughter of a duke to be so bold. She was marvelous.
He bowed, biting back his grin of appreciation. "My lady. Your mighty steed awaits you."
She sauntered past him, and he turned to view her as she went by. What was a man to do when a woman dressed in breeches? He could not help
