Victoria pulled Albert about the side of the house, farther into darkness, needing to be alone with him, wanting him all to herself.
"I think we have gone far enough," he said, pulling her to a stop.
Victoria checked their surroundings, ensuring they were alone. She took a calming breath, hoping that what she had to say would be well-received.
That he would have forgiven her for crushing his wishes last year at Rosedale. That he wanted her still. "Albert, there is something that I must tell you."
He frowned, a muscle at his temple flexing as he stared at her. "You do not need to say anything. I know that you do not wish to marry again. You enjoyed your travels abroad and wish to continue them as you should. Seeing Gerald tonight reminded me of what a horrendous marriage you must have endured. I will not stand in your way of ever being another man’s property."
She shook her head, knowing that he did not understand. Not at all. "No, Albert, you misunderstand me. I do wish to travel, that is true. I loved Paris and want to explore the world further, but that is not all. The entire time I was away, I did nothing but think of you. When boating down the Seine, I wondered what you would think of this and that, Notre Dame, the Lourve, the small, quaint restaurants, and the people. I walked the streets, and the entire time I wanted you beside me. Exploring the world with me."
He frowned down at her, confusion marring his brow. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," she said, stepping against him and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I made a mistake when I left Rosedale. I adore you, Albert. I missed you every moment of every day since the time I left Hampshire. I'm saying that although I do not want children, I do want you. I want a life with you, to explore the world with you by my side."
Victoria swallowed her fear. She was asking a lot for a man, for a lord with responsibilities, but she knew she had to be truthful with him. Allow him to make his own decision if a life with her was right for him.
"Would you marry me?" she asked him, holding his gaze and praying that he would say yes. That he would find her enough in the life that they would live and not require everything that normally came with a marriage.
Albert stared down at Victoria. Her strength, beauty, and vulnerability at asking him to be hers a strength not found in everyone. The words soothed his aching soul, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close.
He would never let her go again.
"I missed you, my darling Victoria. When you left, I thought we should see each other at balls and parties, two people who shared so much for a time, but a snippet only. As fleeting as a shooting star. I will marry you and love you until the day that I die.” He paused, knowing there was one last thing to admit to her before the night was over. “There is something that I must tell you."
She stared up at him, her eyes bright and full of hope and happiness. "Are you going to tell me that you're the famous author, Elbert Retsek? I know you are already aware how much I love his books."
He chuckled. How lucky he was to have her. "How did you know? No one in England other than my publisher is aware."
"Well," she said, raising one brow, a mischievous tilt to her lips. "You did leave a page of your manuscript at Dunsleigh, which I found. I was certain that it was the same voice and tone as Retsek, but when Mama told me you had used the library to catch up on paperwork during your stay, I wondered if it was you. Lady Sophie and her teasing of you scribbling away at that hunting lodge day and night solidified my suspicions."
"Why did you never ask me?" he queried, curious.
"I knew you would tell me when you were ready. I'm a patient woman. I suppose I've had to be since I'm the youngest female in my family. I would wait forever for you too," she told him, running her hand across his cheek.
"All my heroines are mimicks of you. You are my muse, my reason and inspiration behind my words."
"Really?" Her smile brightened. "How lovely and happy that makes me." Victoria met his gaze, a pensive light entering her eyes. "Please assure me, Albert, that you do not mind that I'm asking for it only ever to be the two of us. I do not think I could survive the guilt should you ever resent me for not wanting children."
He shook his head, more than happy for the rest of their lives to be only them. If that is what Victoria wanted, he would not change her to suit his needs. "I have a cousin, a good man with a good heart who is married and can sire heirs well enough. We do not have to have children if you do not wish to."
"But I have wolfhounds and horses. You will not mind me bringing them to Rosedale?"
He chuckled, kissing her forehead, rocking her in his arms, hope and relief pouring through him like a balm. "No, I do not mind. You may bring whatever pleases you to Rosedale. A cat, birds, rabbits, whatever takes your fancy."
"Albert," she said, slipping her hands up about his neck. She played with the hair at his nape. He had missed having her in his arms, smelling the sweet scent of jasmine whenever she was around. "I'm sorry it took me so very long to understand what I wanted. You must know that had I not been
