He smiled, gesturing to the store. "I'm merely escorting my guests to the modiste."
Miss Eberhardt's face lost a little of its brightness at his words. "Oh, you have guests? Do I know them?"
Albert had little idea if she knew Victoria or was associated with the Duke of Penworth's seat. "My good friend, The Duke of Penworth is staying, along with his sister and mama."
"Lady Victoria is here?" She smiled, looking toward the shop windows. Albert did the same and could not see Victoria anymore.
"She is, yes."
Miss Eberhardt clapped her gloved hands, her smile back on her pretty visage. "I shall love to see her again. As you know, Papa fell ill during the last few weeks of the Season, and we had to return home early. I was unable to meet with her before we left."
"I did not know that. I hope Mr. Eberhardt is doing better now?" he queried, liking the older gentleman, his straight talk and no use for nonsense, similar to himself in that regard.
"He is doing much better, thank you."
Just then, the door to the modiste opened, and Victoria stepped outside. Her attention slipped from him to Miss Eberhardt. "Nancy?" she queried. "I did not know you lived in Camberley. How did I not know that?" Victoria said, pulling Miss Eberhardt into a quick embrace.
Albert watched with interest, not knowing the two ladies were acquainted and looked to be close friends.
"We're situated but a mile from here and from Lord Melvin's estate. I did not know you were staying close by, or I would have called on you." Miss Eberhardt clasped Victoria's hand, squeezing it. "How are you? I feel we have so much to catch up on."
Victoria chuckled, her eyes bright with pleasure. "I am very well and all the more pleased at having seen you again."
"I see you are visiting our local modiste," Miss Eberhardt stated. "Were you able to purchase anything in the store to your liking?"
"A dress for the country dance. Are you attending?"
Miss Eberhardt's eyes brightened, and she all but bounced where she stood. "I am, yes. How wonderful that you'll be there. We shall catch up properly."
"You're more than welcome to visit me at Rosedale. I should like some female company other than Mama." Albert smiled at her teasing. How he admired her. She was so friendly and warm, so different to other ladies of his acquaintance of lesser rank when speaking to others. And Miss Eberhardt, no matter how wealthy, had no peerage in her family, no titles or elevating connections, and yet still, Victoria treated her like an equal. A friend.
He marveled at her. Admiring her all the more for her warmth and good heart.
"If you're in agreement with that, my lord?" she asked him.
Albert smiled at them both, knowing that he would do anything if it meant that it made Victoria happy. "Of course, you're welcome to visit."
"Thank you, my lord," Miss Eberhardt watched him for longer than he would term appropriate before she turned her attention back to Victoria.
He hoped she did not have romantic designs on him. As much as he liked the young woman, she had never stirred his blood. He had always seen her as a affable acquaintance, but not for him.
"We shall be home the day after tomorrow if you would like to luncheon with us," he offered.
"I would love that very much." Miss Eberhardt's attention shifted past him, and he turned to see her father waiting in a carriage. Albert gave a cursory wave to the gentleman.
"I must be off, but I shall be at Rosedale the day after tomorrow."
"It was lovely seeing you again, Nancy," Victoria said, sincerity echoing in her words.
"And I you. Both of you," Miss Eberhardt said, casting one last smile at Albert before she was off.
He ignored Victoria’s stare, and the knowing grin on her lips that he could discern from the corner of his eye. He opened the carriage door, helping her up. He followed her, seating himself beside her.
"You look very beautiful today. I have missed you," he said, reaching for her hand.
Her fingers entwined with his, her eyes darkening with a need that he too felt. Would it always be this madness, this undeniable want that sizzled between them? If they were alone, her mother not mere feet away from them in the store, he would be tempted to wrench her into his arms and kiss her soundly.
"I did not think you would remember last evening. You were hardly in the state to have such a sound memory."
"I may have been foxed." He picked up her hand and kissed her gloved fingers. "But I remember everything of what we did."
"Really?" she teased, pursing her lips. "What did we do. Remind me?"
He pushed down on the need that ran wild and hot through his blood at her words. Memories of her crying out as he made her come, as his cock slid against her cunny left him hard and aching.
He leaned toward her, his lips but a breath from her ear. "I made you come. I want to make you scream my name, maybe even one day in a carriage." He felt her shiver, the small gasp of shock at his words.
The door to the shop tinkled its little bell, notifying them the duchess had left. Albert sat back just as the groom opened the door for the duchess. He offered his hand to Her Grace. "Let me help you," he suggested.
The duchess took his hand and settled herself across from them, two small packages placed beside her by the groom.
"Your gown will be delivered tomorrow, not that I think you needed another, but now that I've seen what they had, the best for a country dance such as the one we will attend, I understand your plight."
"Thank you, Mama," Victoria said.
Victoria’s
