What was she thinking! He was not her husband. He owed her nothing. Still, it took her several hours to fall to sleep.
Albert was foxed. The tavern room, rank with smoke, sweat, and the foulness of stale beer rent the air, and still, it was not as terrible as he thought a night out at a tavern would be.
Several gentlemen estate owners joined him and the duke, drinking, some whoring the night away upstairs. For an hour or so, Albert had lost sight of Josh, but then he returned, his cravat less poised, along with his hair.
The duke slumped into the chair beside him, grinning from ear to ear. "Lovely company here. I'm surprised that you do not darken these doors more often."
More often? Albert had never before stepped foot into the premises. That he was missing his rendezvous with Victoria because her brother would not take no for an answer also did not help his mood.
Even so, the beer was refreshing, company amusing, and to sit and watch the play of people had been enjoyable. As a writer, picking up people's nuances and mannerisms was always helpful.
"Look here, that woman over there. She is watching you keenly," the duke said, sipping his beer and grinning.
Albert shook his head, having no interest in the lady. "If I am to win your sister's hand, you should know that she would not approve of me being here or if she heard of me bedding any of the ladies selling their wiles tonight. I thought you would've known better, Your Grace."
The duke chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, I know better, but when there is fun to be had, what of it? And you're not married yet. What would it hurt?"
Albert did not like this talk or the thought of touching another woman, not when he wanted Victoria above all else. "I am content to drink beer with you, my friend, but that is all. I will not be sewing my seed around here this evening."
The duke watched him a moment before clapping him on the back. "That is very good then, my friend. I'm glad you would remain true to your course, that being my sister. I like you even more now than I did before."
"You were testing me?" he asked him, not entirely sure he liked to be tested. The room spun, and he clasped the table to steady himself.
"I have been, but you passed. Now, shall we have another drink?" the duke asked, summoning more beer.
Albert tried to dissuade His Grace of the notion of more alcohol, but then again, it was a very good brew, so why not.
Victoria woke to the sound of doors slamming open before shutting just as loudly. She went and checked out in the corridor, her eyes widening at the sight that beheld her.
Her brother was nowhere to be seen, but Lord Melvin was standing before her door, his eyes glassy and unfocused, his body reeking of beer and smoke.
"I missed you tonight," he said, louder than he ought.
She shushed him, pulling him into her room and closing and locking the door behind him. "Be quiet. You'll wake Mama."
He stumbled over to the bed, lying down with an oomph. Victoria wasn't sure what she should do. Should she ring for her maid? Or try to maneuver him back to his room without anyone seeing.
For all that she would like him to touch her, she still did not wish to be anyone's wife. No matter how much being Lord Melvin's wife was becoming more and more appealing every day. He was kind and sweet. How could anyone’s heart remain immune to such a gentleman?
He stared at her through eyes that struggled to stay open. "I missed you this evening."
Victoria crossed her arms, staying a good distance from him. "Yes, I know. I found the smoking room empty when I went down there, and you nowhere to be found," she said sarcastically. "But I can see what you've been up to tonight. I hope you enjoyed yourself, my lord."
He groaned, fighting to sit up. When he'd finally managed it, he reached for her, but she darted out of his reach. "Do not be angry, Victoria. I wanted to stay home. Your brother would not take no for an answer."
All understandable, and Josh did tend to get his way when he wanted something. "Well, I'm sure the women at the tavern were much more skilled than I am. I do not blame you for going out. You are a man, after all, and they seldom do anything that warrants gentlemanly behavior. My late husband no exception. You appear no different."
He clapped his hand over his heart. "You wound me, my darling Victoria. I did not sleep with anyone. Hell," he mumbled, flopping back down on the bed. "I've never slept with anyone, and I'm not about to start with a whore plying her trade."
His words comforted her and made her like him even more. "You should leave my room before you are caught in here alone with me."
He slumped an arm over his eyes, groaning. "Oh yes, better not be caught with me. Or you may be made to marry me, and what a terrible disaster that would be." He sat up, leaning on his knees. "If I had you in my bed every evening, Lady Victoria, let me assure you, it would be anything but terrible."
A shiver stole down her spine at his words, intoxicating as they were. His gaze burned up and down her nightshift, and she covered her breasts, realizing she wasn't wearing a dressing gown.
"You need to go now, Albert," she
