She could not want anyone else. Certainly, from what she said, she did not want any man. The urge to reach across, wrench her onto his lap, and start what she had promised him the night would encompass overwhelmed him.
"In any case, I suppose it will not be tonight." The duchess yawned, covering her mouth with the little silk fan that hung on her wrist. "I am to bed when we return home."
"I agree," Victoria said, a mischievous light in her eye. Albert knew she would do no such thing. Expectation thrummed through his veins, and he counted down the time until she was in his arms and his bed.
Later...
Chapter 28
Upon returning home, Victoria ordered warm water to her room and bathed quickly. After the dance, the smoke and scents from the night left her in need of a wash. Her maid helped her, brushing her hair and setting it into a long knot that slipped over her shoulder.
Victoria dismissed her maid for the night before getting under the covers of her bed. The house soon quietened, the sound of the last servants going about the halls and rooms, dousing the candles and collecting any dishes that may have been used in the parlor upstairs.
Victoria sneaked out of bed, opening her door to check into the hall, pleased to see it cloaked in darkness, only slithers of moonlight stole in from the bank of windows at either end of the hall.
She checked her brother's door, saw no light coming from under it, and sneaked out of her room, closing her door as quietly as she could before tiptoeing to Albert’s suite.
Without knocking, she entered and found herself riveted to the spot. Albert stood before his washbasin, stark naked. His bottom, toned and a lovely muscular shape stared directly at her.
Victoria remembered to close the door and snipped the lock, wasting no time in going over to him. He bent over the bowl, seemingly unfazed that she was seeing him in his full glory.
And what a glorious sight he was to behold. With husbands such as Albert to come home to after a ball or party, one would have to wonder why one would go out at all.
Or travel abroad as a widow when one could have such a man warming one's bed.
Victoria came up behind him, running her hand over his bottom. Goosebumps rose on his back, and she kissed him there, along his spine, wanting him with a need that scared her.
She should not be here or igniting a rendezvous, but blast her scattered mind, she could not leave. Could not do the right thing by the man before her.
"You are lovely to behold, my lord." Emboldened, she reached around, running her finger around the underside of his shaft. His manhood jutted out, erect and eager. She felt him, teased him and her stomach clenched, wanting him with a madness that would not be sated.
He turned, staring down at her. Her attention snapped to his muscled chest and she ogled it without indiscretion. With every breath, it rose and fell, tightened, and glistened from the little amount of water from his wash.
"You make my heart stop," he cooed, his voice husky. Albert scooped her up in his arms, taking her lips in a kiss that made her forget all her troubles. Her future, the decisions she had to make melted away as he carried her over to the bed, laying her down.
He joined her, and she pushed him to lay on his back, a question in his blue orbs over what she was doing. "Tonight, my lord, it is my turn to learn what you like. Enjoy you as much as I want." Victoria ran her hand over his chest, her attention feasting on his manhood. A purple-blue vein ran along its length, his shaft thick and long.
Whenever Paul had come to their marriage bed it had been dark and she scarcely viewed his manhood in the six weeks they were married. Certainly, they had never learned each other as privately as she was becoming to know Albert.
He lay his arms beneath his head, watching her, an amused light glinted in his blue orbs. "Do you like what you see, my lady?"
She smiled, biting her lip as she moved down the bed to come face-to-face with his shaft. Victoria touched it softly, marveling at its silky softness. "I love what I see, Albert. I'm going to kiss you there now," she admitted to him.
She heard him suck in a calming breath, but he did not move or try to stop her. The first taste of him, earthy and a little salty was not unpleasant, if anything, she liked the essence. She kissed the tip of his manhood, smiling as it jumped at her touch. With care, she wrapped her lips about the head of his shaft, sucking. "Is this right?" she asked him.
His fingers spiked through her hair. "Yes," he gasped.
Victoria could feel every muscle in Albert's body tighten. A little part of her crowed that she could make him mad with desire.
She took him into her mouth fully then. The feel of him, hard, but velvety was unlike any sensation she'd ever experienced before. He quivered each time she took him farther into her mouth.
"Yes, like that, my darling," he breathed, his voice tremulous.
Victoria watched him as she gave him pleasure, their eyes met, his ablaze with a need that sparked heat at her core.
"I have another idea," he groaned, sitting up and holding her at bay.
She sat back on her haunches, unsure what this idea would be. "Tell me what it is?"
Albert reached for her nightdress, pulling it from her body in one swift movement. She
