"There is one thing that looks to be safe to try." And she supposed when he married, he could ask his wife to perform a similar act if she were so inclined.
His lips twisted into a wicked grin. "And what is it?"
Victoria pushed her hips to graze his buckskin breeches. Albert's eyes widened, but he did not say anything, merely stared at her in a way that made her want to leave the dance right now.
She looked about, checking they were as alone as they could be during a waltz. "I want to kiss you. But not on your lips. I want to kiss you here," she admitted, moving against him yet again.
Albert let out a huff of breath intertwined with a groan. "You cannot do that, as much as I would enjoy the lesson."
Victoria shrugged, determined to get her way. She licked her lips, already imagining what he would do when she took him in hand, guided him into her mouth. Would he moan her name, clasp her hair as she had gripped his? When he spent his seed, what would he do? Would it spill into her mouth, or would he make her stop?
"Oh, I'm going to start and finish the lesson, my lord. That is part of the deal, is it not? For us both to learn while we're able to do so."
He spun her in the dance, and she laughed, catching sight of her mother, who looked upon them with a warm but calculating gaze.
"Mama is watching us, and if I can read my mama as well as I believe I can, I do think she believes we're courting."
He raised his brows, setting Victoria a respectable distance from him again. "I suppose we do look comfortable enough in each other's company that people would assume that is the case. But your mama knows you are helping me navigate the marriage mart. I'm sure she's merely pleased we are enjoying ourselves."
"I would be enjoying myself more should we be alone and back at Rosedale."
Albert missed a step in the dance but righted them before being noticed. "Do not say such things, Victoria."
She let her hand slide up his shoulder, her finger tracing the back of his neck. "I want to see you shatter under my kiss, Albert. Just as I shattered under yours."
Albert fought for calm, his body a riot of wants and needs. He wanted to drag her from the dance, out into the carriage, and have her in all the ways imaginable. And more if she agreed.
As it was, he was glad there were several minutes left of the waltz due to his raging cock in his breeches that should anyone look closely enough, would undoubtedly notice.
He wanted to see her plump, supple lips wrapped about his phallus. He wanted to see her work him, suck him hard until he spilled in her mouth. The idea that is what she wanted to do to him left him incapable of calm.
"What if you do not like it?"
She lifted one delicate shoulder, looking up at him under long, dark lashes. She was so pretty it made him ache just being near her. With a need that went beyond the physical, he wanted her to be his, to have her in his bed every night so he could give her pleasure. Watch her shatter under his touch again and again.
"I shall like it. I know I will. And there is no danger in what we are to do. I cannot become enceinte by being with you in that way."
No, she could not. But that did not mean that it made her wholly safe. For him, at least, each time they were together, either like this, conversing and alone or giving each other pleasure, his heart became less independent of her.
He was in love with her, had been for years if he were truthful with himself. How was he to watch her leave him when she tired of the lessons and thought him prepared for the world, the London season. A life without her?
He could not continue with the lessons indefinitely. Eventually, she would return home, and he would have lost her.
The dance came to a regretful end, and he led her over to her mama.
"I think I have had enough of the dance, my lord," Victoria remarked, as she joined her mother and brother, who was speaking to Lord Hammilyn just a little ways away.
"I agree, my dear. Shall I motion Josh that we're ready to depart?"
Victoria nodded just as loud shouts and the sound of shattering wood sounded near the back of the hall.
"Quickly, to the carriage," Josh said, ushering them toward the doors. "Two local men have started brawling."
Albert looked to where the commotion occurred and noted several other men had now joined in the fray, and the scene represented a day at Gentleman Jackson more than a country dance. "We must leave," he agreed, helping the duke separate the ladies from the danger.
Albert helped the duke as he searched for the family carriage. Thankfully it was not blocked in, and they were soon on their way back to Rosedale.
"Well, I say. Tonight was going so well too. Several young gentlemen wished to dance with you, Victoria. I suppose we shall have to wait for Lord and Lady Hammilyn's ball for them to ask for your hand."
"Mama, I hope you have not been singing my praises to everyone who should walk by you. You know that I find such interfering unpalatable."
"Really, dear. How else am I to have you find a husband when you do nothing to draw them in? If I need to converse with young men in your stead, sing your praises, then I shall. When you are happily settled, I shall stop."
Albert watched
