She chuckled, and he enjoyed the sound of her giggle. He wished to hear it more often. "You would do marvelous, I'm sure, given a little moral support, and that is what I'm here for. There is to be a country dance at Camberley and a ball at Lord Hammilyn’s. We are attending both, and I hope to hear you will also. It is a ball in your county, after all. It would be rude not to attend."
He knew of the country dance at Camberley she spoke of. It was the very one each year he was invited to and never attended. Although he ensured the finest musicians came up from London to play for his neighbors and nearby townsfolk. "How could I refuse with you being there by my side." And maybe, if he could bring forth some dutch courage, he could ask her for another waltz and start his courting of a woman in earnest. Not just any suitable miss, but Lady Victoria Worthingham.
Chapter 11
Victoria stopped at the top of the hill and overlooked Lord Melvin's estate. The property was very pretty, almost as pretty as Dunsleigh, and she could see herself very happily situated in such a place.
Her deceased husband’s estate had been near Blackpool in northwest England. The home had been adequate and large, well kept, but the landscape had been so very different to Surrey that Victoria knew she would rarely visit there. Hampshire, however, could capture anyone’s heart, as it had hers.
The matrimonial road had not been a success for her, but that did not mean that Albert should be so unlucky. She wanted him to have love, friendship, and passion in his life. The ball would allow her to help him choose a couple of suitable ladies and perhaps dance with them. There was no reason for him to be worried about the event. She would not let anything happen to him.
"I shall have the ladies fawning at your feet by the end of the night, Albert. You shall be pleased with the results. I promise you."
His visage looked a little green and unsure, and she wondered why the idea of such an evening made him so uncomfortable. She would seek out Josh and ask if he knew any particulars about his lordship, a little insight into his past that may help her with his future.
"Tell me what other courting particulars you're going to teach me to win a lady's heart."
Victoria thought about his question a moment. "I will impart the need to be confident, my lord. I'm going to speak plainly, as crass as that is, but some things need to be said." She cast a glance over her shoulder and took in account of how far away their groom was. Hopefully, far enough that he would not hear. "You are an attractive gentleman and a marquess. I stand by my promise of having you betrothed before the next Season."
Albert jumped down off his horse, striding to stand under a large oak. Victoria followed him, hoping she had not upset him with her forward words. She could sometimes be a little too presumptuous, bossy even. She did not want to offend.
"I have pushed you a little too much, have I not?" She caught his eye, reaching out to clasp his arm to make him look at her. "Are you angry with me, Lord Melvin?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair and leaving it on end. The sight of him a little disheveled made her catch her breath. How was it that this man could not already be married? It was impossible to fathom.
"What should I do if the lady, at someplace and time, tries to kiss me?" he asked her.
Relief rolled through her that he wasn't troubled by her help after all, but of the particulars of courtship. "I kissed Mr. Armstrong on the night he proposed.” Not that it had been life-altering. If anything, it had been awfully fast and very wet. A shiver of revulsion ran down her spine at the memory of it. “But before that I did not. It is not what is done." She chewed her lip in thought. "I will tell you this, my lord. My sisters had disclosed that they all kissed their husbands before they were married and say it is most enlightening and pleasant. I should think you may steal a kiss or two if you're set on marrying the one particular lady."
His lips thinned into a displeased line. "Your husband kissed you?"
She blinked, unsure where the conversation was headed. “Of course. I was married to him for six weeks before he hied off with his lover.”
“He ought to die a thousand deaths for hurting you so. If I had you to kiss every night, no one could drag me from your side.”
The breath in her lungs whooshed out at his words. Had Albert's voice dipped an octave or two, and why did the sound of his voice, his words make her feel odd and achy. "That is a very sweet thing to say.”
He stared down at her, a dark and hungry light in his eyes that she was unsure the meaning of. “I have never kissed anyone. Pitiful, am I not?”
"Would you like me to be your first kiss, Albert? To practice on me before another lady, one whom you wish to marry, steps before you?" she added as an afterthought, reminding him she was the teacher here, nothing else.
"I would not presume that you would be a willing participant to my kisses." He stepped closer, and the heat of his body warmed her.
She raised her brow, wishing he had not said that. "I'm never marrying again, my lord. My situation in life, fortunately, does not state that I have to. But I would like to kiss
