Chapter 1

England, 1814

"Teach me how to flirt."

Eighteen-year-old Victoria Douglas gazed out her bedchamber window at her uncle's, the Duke of Inverary's, country estate. Hearing her sisters' laughter, Victoria smiled and walked across the chamber to where they sat on the chaise near the summer-darkened hearth.

Twenty-year-old Angelica was marking an L on the soles of the left feet of Victoria's new shoes. Nineteen-year-old Samantha was browsing through the morning Times.

Victoria knew her sisters were teasing her. "What is so amusing about my wanting to learn to flirt?"

"Why do you want to learn to flirt?" Angelica asked, without looking up from her task.

"Aunt Roxie had one of her otherworldly visions," Victoria told them. When her sisters looked up at her, she rolled her blue eyes heavenward. "Apparently, I am destined to marry an earl and a prince, not necessarily two different men, though. I want to be ready to charm him.

"Why do you need to charm him if you are already destined to marry?" Samantha asked. Victoria became serious. "I need to overcome handicaps like my red hair."

"Your hair matches your personality," Samantha told her.

"I wish I had your black hair or Angel's blondness. Men adore blondes," Victoria said. "Count your blessings," Samantha told her. "You could be bald."

"Did you know I always wanted Samantha's or your hair color?" Angelica asked, picking up another shoe to mark with an L.

Samantha laughed. "I always wanted to look like either of you."

"I suppose no one is ever satisfied with what they've been given," Victoria said with a smile. Her smile drooped, and when she spoke again, her voice mirrored the desperation she felt. "I can't tell left from right. I'll never read the Times because I can't read, write, or cipher numbers. If I knew how to flirt, I could find a gentleman and marry him before he realizes I'm stupid."

When her sisters stared at her in surprise, Victoria felt a hot blush rising on her cheeks. She couldn't imagine why her frustration surprised them. They had known her problem for years, but knowing and understanding were different things. Her sisters could never understand her frustration because they could read, write, and cipher numbers.

"You are not stupid," Angelica told her.

"A problem prevents you from learning," Samantha added.

Victoria forced herself to smile but was unable to mask the pain in her voice. "My problem is commonly referred to as stupidity."

When both sisters opened their mouths to argue, Victoria held her hand up. "Most people are ignorant because no one bothered to teach them," she said. "I cannot learn in spite of being taught. My p's look like q's and my b's look like d's, not to mention my sixes and nines getting confused." Her voice rising with her emotion, she cried, "You see a dog bark, but I see a bog dark."

"Everyone has a weakness," Samantha told her. "I limp from that carriage accident."

"I would switch my stupidity for your limp any day of the week," Victoria replied.

"You have so many talents," Samantha argued. "You play the flute beautifully, and your joie de vivre is contagious."

"What is that?" Victoria asked.

"Joie de vivre is joy of life," Angelica answered, and then shifted her gaze to the pile of shoes still needing to be marked with an L. "How many new pairs of shoes do you have?"

"His Grace and Aunt Roxie bought me an extensive new wardrobe, complete with shoes and other accessories," Victoria told them, wandering back to the window. "A trousseau without a husband. They're hoping I'll soon meet a suitable gentleman and marry."

Victoria stared out the window. Her brothers-in-law, the Marquess of Argyll and Russian Prince Rudolf, were practicing their golfing on the large expanse of lawns behind the rear gardens. "Your husbands are golfing," Victoria called over her shoulder.

"Is Rudolf swinging those clubs near the children?" Samantha asked.

"No."

"What about Robert?" Angelica asked.

"Sweeting and Honey have taken the children closer to the house," Victoria answered, and then turned around to smile at them. "Both of you gave birth to twins within a year. Do you think I'll have twins, too?"

"Having a husband would help," Angelica replied, marking the last shoe with an L.

"Rudolf's brothers will be arriving tomorrow," Victoria said.

"Aunt Roxie invited Alexander Emerson for the weekend," Samantha said, without looking up from the Times.

Victoria grimaced. "Alexander Emerson is so boring."

"Why do you say that?" Angelica asked.

"He is always so serious," Victoria answered. "Rudolf's brothers are much more fun."

Samantha looked up from the paper. "Are you developing a fondness for Prince Stepan?"

Victoria noted her sister's concerned expression but had no idea what that meant. She glanced at Angelica who wore the same concerned expression.

"Stepan and I are friends," Victoria told them. "Like cousins."

"We'll teach you to flirt, and you can practice on Alexander Emerson this weekend," Angelica said.

"That's an outstanding idea," Samantha agreed, glancing at Victoria. "If someone as serious as Alex succumbs to your flirting, then you'll have no problem with any gentleman."

"Alexander Emerson is a tad elderly, don't you think?" Victoria asked.

"Twenty-nine years is hardly at his last prayers," Angelica replied.

"The Earl of Winchester is considered quite a catch," Samantha told her.

"Alex's title and wealth have more than a few mamas pushing their daughters in his path," Angelica added.

Victoria had never thought about Alexander in that way, but her sisters' words had her seeing the earl in a new light. "I'll bet all those mamas would be green if they knew the Earl of Winchester was spending the weekend in the country where there was an available young lady, albeit a stupid redhead."

"If you flirt with Alexander," Angelica warned, "you can never admit you're only practicing." Samantha nodded. "Men have sensitive feelings about things like that."

Victoria gave them a mischievous smile. "As the weekend progresses, you can tell me what I'm doing correctly or not."

"That's a good idea," Angelica said.

"Well, sisters, I'm ready to begin," Victoria said. "Tell me what to do."

"Stare at Alex intensely," Angelica told her. "When he catches you looking, hold his gaze for a second or two longer. Then drop your gaze shyly. If you could contrive to blush."

Victoria burst out laughing. "Alexander isn't going to believe I'm shy," she said.

"Stand very close to him when you are speaking," Samantha said. "Look at him with adoration in your eyes."

"How do I do that?" Victoria asked, puzzled.

"Imagine that he has conquered the world and placed it at your feet," Samantha told her.

Victoria couldn't suppress her bubble of laughter. She couldn't imagine Alexander Emerson or any other man placing the world at her feet. She wasn't exactly Cleopatra.

"Let him hold your hand," Angelica said.

"Let him kiss you if he wants," Samantha added.

"Not too much, though, or he'll think you're fast," Angelica added.

"How much is too much?" Victoria asked, completely confused. She'd never even kissed a man. How could she possibly know these things?

"You'll know," her sisters said simultaneously, and then looked at each other and laughed.

"Do not let him touch you anywhere private, or you'll be ruined," Samantha warned.

"Alexander must be very smart," Victoria said, her confidence waning. "What should I say to him?"

"Engage in light-hearted conversation," Angelica said. "If he says something naughty, say something naughty back."

"Ask him a question or his advice," Samantha suggested.

"Advice about what?" Victoria exclaimed, knowing she was destined to fail. "Maybe I should ask him how to flirt."

"Why, Tory, that is a brilliant idea," Angelica said with a smile. "If Alex is teaching you how to flirt, he won't be aware that you're attracted to him."

"I'm not attracted to him," Victoria said.

"If you are a good listener, men think you are a good conversationalist," Samantha told her. "Men have high opinions of themselves and love to share their wisdom with inferior creatures like us."

"Read me something from the Times," Victoria said. "I'll ask him about it."

"Napoleon was exiled to Elba a few weeks ago," Angelica said. "I heard Robert and Rudolf discussing it."

"Here's something," Samantha said. "The apprentice law was repealed."

"What is that?" Victoria asked.

"I don't know," Samantha said with a shrug. "You'll need to ask Alex."

A smile spread slowly across Victoria's face, and her blue eyes gleamed with excitement. "He'll think I'm smart enough to read the newspaper," she said.

"Alex has already arrived," Samantha told her. "He's in a business meeting with His Grace."

Victoria grabbed her flute case and headed for the door. "I'm going to walk to the stream and concentrate on what I'm supposed to do."

Leaving her chamber, Victoria walked to the end of the corridor. Like an old friend, insecurity caught her at the top of the stairs. She hurried back to her chamber. Her sisters looked up at her entrance.

"Do you think my white gown looks presentable?" Victoria asked. "I mean, in case I meet Alexander in the corridor."

"You look pretty," Angelica assured her.

Victoria looked at Samantha for confirmation. When she nodded in agreement, Victoria smiled with relief and left the chamber.

While Victoria was learning to flirt, Alexander Emerson sat one floor down in the Duke of Inverary's study. With them was the Duchess of Inverary, Victoria's aunt.

Tall and well-built and blond, Alexander Emerson sat in one of the chairs in front of the duke's desk and stretched his long legs out. He cast a sidelong glance at the duchess, who sat in the chair beside his, and then fixed his hazel gaze on the duke.

"I've had a letter from Australia," Alexander said, referring to his exiled sister and father. "Oh?" Duke Magnus said.

"Venetia has married a Harry Gibbs, one of the richest men in Australia, or so she claims," Alexander told him. "Venetia and her husband are planning a trip to England."

"The deal was that she and your father---"

"Charles Emerson is not my father," Alexander interrupted. "He made that perfectly clear."

Duke Magnus inclined his head and continued, "Venetia and Charles agreed to live in Australia in order to escape prosecution for attempting to murder you, Robert, and Angelica."

"We forced them to do that to avoid a scandal," Alexander reminded the older man. "What do you propose we do? From her letter, I assume Venetia and her husband are in route to England."

"Is Charles accompanying them?" Duke Magnus asked.

Alexander shrugged. "Venetia didn't mention him."

"I think we should do nothing," Duke Magnus said. "Let them come to England, and I'll keep my agents watching them."

"Will they be here for the wedding?' the duchess asked, looking worried.

Alexander slanted a glance in her direction. "I don't know."

"Your marriage to Victoria could be fortuitous," the duke said. "As a newlywed, you won't want them staying with you. They will be forced to stay in a hotel or rent their own house."

"Have your investigators discovered any information about my natural father's identity," Alexander asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

"I'm afraid not," Duke Magnus answered. "I'm sorry."

"Your betrothal announcement appears in today's Times," Lady Roxanne said, changing the subject.

"Your Grace, I told you I wanted to tell Victoria," Alexander said, a tinge of irritation in his voice.

"And you will," the duchess replied. "That's the reason I planned this weekend."

Alexander began to argue, "When Victoria reads the---"

"There is no chance of that happening," Lady Roxanne interrupted, and then laughed. "Victoria never reads the newspaper. The invitations are going out on Monday so you will have three days to break the news to her." The duchess paused for a breath of air and then gushed, "Just imagine, my sweet Victoria will be the Countess of Winchester in less than a month and, a year from now, could be a mother."

"I would never call Victoria sweet," the duke said dryly.

Alexander shifted his hazel gaze to the duke. The duchess had told him that his intended could be difficult at times, but he would never believe that her uncle would have a problem with her. After all, the chit was barely eighteen. How difficult could she be? Well, her behavioral problem would be solved when she married and delivered their first child.

"Victoria has a slight rebellious streak," the duchess was saying.

"Slight? She'll fight the betrothal if she believes we are pushing you on her," Duke Magnus said.

"I suggest you charm her," Lady Roxanne said.

"What if she fights it?" Alexander asked.

"No matter what, Victoria is going down that aisle on the twenty-fourth of June," Duke Magnus said.

"Dear Alex, Victoria needs you desperately. She's had little discipline in her young life and needs a strong man to curb her wilder impulses," the duchess told him. "Because of her father's decline in fortune, Victoria was only five when they moved from the Grosvenor Square mansion to the cottage on Primrose Hill. Her mother died the following year, and her father soon became sick with drink."

And the fault lies with Charles Emerson, Alexander thought, for swindling a fortune out of the Earl of Melrose. That was one reason he'd agreed to the duchess' offer of marriage to her youngest niece. It was the least he could do to atone for Charles Emerson's crimes against the Douglas family.

"Beginning today, you are in charge of Victoria," Duke Magnus said. "Do whatever you think best. We won't interfere."

Alexander inclined his head. His betrothed was going to learn who would be the boss in their household. She had better get over her difficult behavior quickly.

Duke Magnus cleared his throat. "Roxanne and I have had a long discussion," he told the younger man. "We agree that once you--ah--bed her, she won't fight and will remain steadfast. We are suggesting you breech her as soon as possible."

Alexander sat up straight. Unable to credit what he was hearing, he looked from the duke to the duchess and then back to the duke.

"Are you giving me permission to bed her before the wedding?" Alexander asked, surprised.

"We are encouraging you to do it," Duke Magnus said, and then chuckled. "Can you seduce her in a weekend?"

What an unexpected turn of events, Alexander thought. Most guardians fought to protect their ward's virtue.

"Well?" the duke asked.

A lazy smile spread across Alexander's face. "I can certainly try, Your Grace."

"Sneak into her room if you must," the duchess said. "Sunday morning would be a good time if you aren't leaving too early for Winchester. Victoria never attends Sunday service."

Alexander raised his brows at the duchess. "She refuses to attend church services?"

"Victoria never actually refuses to do anything," Lady Roxanne told him. "She agrees to whatever you want and then does what she wants. At times, I feel that I'm trying to catch a butterfly."

"The chit has a repertoire of four maladies, a different complaint for each week of the month," Duke Magnus said, unable to suppress a smile. "The first week Victoria suffers from the headache, and the following week she's felled by a stomach ache."

"Victoria rouses herself the third week but suffers a dizzy spell before we leave," Lady Roxanne said. "The final week of the month, she has menstrual cramps."

Alexander burst out laughing. His betrothed sounded highly entertaining. "Where are we in the cycle?" he asked.

"Victoria is due for a headache this week," the duchess answered.

"Except for weddings and christenings, I've never seen Victoria in church," Duke Magnus said, a grudging smile on his face. When Alexander laughed again, the duke warned, "I wouldn't laugh yet. You're the one who needs to tame her."

"Victoria has a slight problem with her eyes," Lady Roxanne continued. She glanced toward the windows, adding, "It isn't a major problem, merely an inconvenience."

The duchess is lying, Alexander thought, wondering what she found so threatening she would lie. He wasn't about to cry off at this late date.

"What exactly is her problem?" Alexander asked.

"Victoria has a slight reading problem," the duchess told him. "She doesn't see some letters clearly."

"That's it?" he asked.

The duchess nodded. "Yes."

"Victoria doesn't need perfect vision for what I have planned for her," Alexander said, giving the duchess a lazy smile.

Duke Magnus sent his wife a concerned look. "What do you intend for her?"

"Her wifely duties and caring for our children will keep Victoria busy," Alexander answered.

"Keep her in line by keeping her belly filled with a baby?" Duke Magnus chuckled, his expression clearing. "How about a shot of whiskey?"

Lady Roxanne rose from her chair and wandered across the study to the window overlooking the rear gardens. "There goes Victoria now," she said.

Rising from his chair, Alexander crossed the study to see her. With flute case in hand, a slender young woman, with a mane of fiery curls cascading to her waist, started to cross the lawns nearest to the house. She was immediately surrounded by her nephews and nieces.

Alexander smiled, enchanted. His future countess set her flute case down and formed a circle with the children. They held hands and, dancing to the left, sang, "Ring-a-ring o' roses, a pocket full of posies. A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall down."

Victoria and the children fell down on the grass when the last word slipped from their lips. Then they started to laugh.

"I'm glad she likes children," Alexander said.

"Victoria adores her nieces and nephews," Lady Roxanne said. "I'm positive she will be an excellent mother."

Alexander watched Victoria stand and grab her flute case. Waving at the children, she started to walk away but crashed into a hedge. The children laughed uproariously.

Her next stop was her brothers-in-law who were practicing golf swings. Prince Rudolf called something out to her, and Victoria laughed. Then she headed in the direction of the woodland. "Where is she going?" Alexander asked, delighted by what he had witnessed.

"Victoria likes to wade in the stream in the woodland," Lady Roxanne answered. "I've told her dozens of times that ladies do not wade, but she refuses to obey."

"If you will excuse me," Alexander said, turning away from the window, "I would like to speak with her."

"When will you tell her about the betrothal?" Lady Roxanne asked.

"I'll tell her when the moment is right," he answered.

Alexander left the duke's study and walked downstairs. He hadn't seen any evidence of Victoria being headstrong. In fact, she appeared as if she would obey his every command without hesitation. Apparently, the duke and the duchess didn't know how to handle an energetic young lady.

Outside, Alexander waved to the children and started to cross the wide expanse of lawns. He paused to speak with his future brothers-in-law, still practicing their golf strokes.

"Welcome to the family," called Robert Campbell, the Marquess of Argyll, the duke's son. "Does everyone know why I'm here?" Alexander asked.

Prince Rudolf flashed him a wicked smile. "Everyone except the bride knows." "I will take care of that before leaving Sunday morning," Alexander told him. He looked at the marquess, saying, "I think your father may be getting senile."

Robert smiled. "Why do you say that?"

"His Grace gave me permission to deflower Victoria this weekend," Alexander told them. "In fact, he encouraged it."

His future brothers-in-law laughed at that.

"My father may be expecting a bit of hesitation on the lady's part," Robert replied. "Once she's ruined, so to speak, Victoria will have no choice but to marry you."

"Where is this stream?" Alexander asked.

"Walk down the path behind the gazebo," Prince Rudolf told him. "Then follow the sound of flute song."

Humming a spritely tune, Victoria peeled her shoes and stockings off when she reached the stream. She grabbed her flute, hitched her skirt up to her knees, and sat down on a rock at the edge of the stream.

Victoria dangled her feet in the cool water and sighed in pleasure at the warm, early June afternoon. She lifted the flute to her lips and began to play the tune she'd been humming. The melody possessed a jaunty air, the sounds of springtime songbirds and chuckling brooks lending the song a bewitching charm.

"Hello, Victoria."

Startled by a man's voice, Victoria whirled around so fast she nearly fell off the rock but managed to steady herself. Alexander Emerson leaned against a tree a few feet from where she sat.

"Hello, Alexander," Victoria said in a soft voice. Oh, Lord, she sounded breathless like one of those female pinheads who fawned over the bachelors at balls and society functions.

"I heard your siren's song and came in search of a wood nymph," Alexander said.

Victoria didn't answer. She'd fixed her blue-eyed gaze on his physical attributes. Now that she intended to flirt with him, he seemed different, as if she was noticing him for the first time.

With his blond good looks, Alexander had pleasing features---hazel eyes, full lips, straight nose. His broad shoulders accentuated his tapered waist, and those tan breeches fit his well-muscled thighs like a second skin.

"Do you like what you see?" Alexander asked, a smile lurking in his voice.

Victoria snapped her gaze to his and blushed with embarrassment. She was certainly making a mess of this flirting business.

"I apologize for staring," Victoria said with a sheepish smile. "I was supposed to stare intensely and then pretend shyness by dropping my gaze."

"Why?" he asked, wearing a puzzled smile.

Since she'd mucked up the whole flirting business, Victoria decided to make a joke of it. "Do you want to hold my hand?" she asked baldly, instead of answering his question.

Alexander looked surprised. "Do you want me to hold your hand?"

Victoria ignored his question. "Could you possibly tell me how much kissing is too much kissing?" she asked.

Alexander burst out laughing. "What are you talking about?"

"My sisters were teaching me to flirt," Victoria told him. "Those were some of the rules."

"I didn't know there were rules for flirting," Alexander said.

Victoria brightened at that. "You don't know how to flirt either?"

Alexander shouted with laughter. Victoria didn't know if she should be insulted or not.

"I've had some flirting experience," he told her. "Why were your sisters teaching you to flirt?"

Victoria blushed. "I wanted to flirt with you this weekend."

Something flickered in his expressive hazel eyes. Victoria felt as if his gaze on her had warmed by several degrees.

"Did you wish to flirt with me specifically?" Alexander asked. "Or would any gentleman do?"

Victoria stared at him, her face crimson with embarrassment. An unexpected excitement leaped to life in the pit of her stomach.

"I wanted to flirt with you specifically," she told him.

"Come closer," Alexander said. "I'll flirt with you."

Victoria felt suddenly nervous. She flicked her tongue out to wet her lips and then asked, "Couldn't we flirt from a distance?"

"Come here," Alexander said, his gaze fixed on hers.

Victoria heard the quiet authority in his voice and, for the first time in her life, obeyed an order without arguing. Holding the bottom edge of her gown, she stood and waded out of the stream. She returned her flute to its case and walked the few feet that separated them.

And then she wished she hadn't. Alexander was so much taller that she needed to tilt her head back to look into his eyes. She felt intimidated and nervous.

"Please don't tell my aunt I've been wading in the stream," Victoria said.

"Wading is forbidden?" The hint of a smile appeared on his lips.

"Young ladies of good breeding do not wade," Victoria drawled in a perfect imitation of her aunt.

Alexander laughed, amusement lighting his eyes. "Your secret is safe with me...for a price."

"I don't own any money," Victoria told his chest.

"I don't want money." Reaching out, Alexander gently forced her to look up at him. "I want a kiss."

Victoria's heart slammed into her chest, and the excitement in the pit of her stomach fanned into a flame. She felt every nerve in her body tingling and dropped her gaze from his hazel eyes to his lips.

"I-I don't know how," she admitted.

Alexander cocked a brow at her. "Has no young man stolen a kiss?"

"His Grace and my brothers-in-law won't let any young man near me except for Rudolf's brothers," Victoria said, shaking her head. "Viktor, Mikhail, and Stepan are more like family than eligible bachelors."

"Would you like to learn to kiss?" Alexander asked.

The flame in her stomach grew, warming by several degrees. Unfortunately, her self-consciousness grew apace with the flame.

"I don't think so," Victoria refused. "I am tempted but would hate to see all of my brothers-in-law's protecting go to waste. I'm sure you understand my dilemma and won't be offended."

With a smile playing on his lips, Alexander dropped his gaze to her mouth. Leisurely, his gaze drifted from her mouth to her breasts, lingering for a long moment, and then traveled down her body to her waist.

When Alexander raised his hazel gaze to hers, his eyes held a possessive gleam. Victoria felt an invisible connection between them.

"I don't think a gentleman should look at a lady like that," she told him, frightened by the intensity in his gaze.

"How was I looking at you?" he asked.

"You looked like a hungry wolf contemplating a juicy morsel you intended to gobble," she answered, a note of disapproval in her voice.

Alexander smiled. "If you aren't afraid of the big bad wolf, step closer so I can collect my kiss," he challenged her. "I promise not to gobble."

With her blue gaze fixed on his, Victoria took tiny steps forward until she stood inches from him. She caught the arrogant scent of bay and felt the heat emanating from his powerful body.

Alexander drew her closer. One of his hands held the back of her head while the other pulled her against his muscular frame.

"Are you afraid?" he asked, his lips hovering above hers.

"Very worried," she answered, making him smile.

Alexander lowered his head, his lips touching hers in a gentle first kiss. Trembling on the inside, Victoria stood statue-stiff. She didn't know what to do except close her eyes.

"Relax," Alexander breathed against her lips.

His lips were warm, soft but firm. Undemanding. She began to relax and enjoy the feel of them pressed to hers.

The tenor of his kiss changed. He slid his hand from the back of her head to her neck, and his fingers caressed her delicate nape.

When she sighed at the sensation, Alexander began moving his lips on hers, encouraging her to move her lips with him, to follow his lead. Victoria felt his strength, sensed his power held in tight control. A melting sensation in her lower regions caught her by surprise, and suddenly she wanted more, so much more.

Tentatively at first, gaining confidence with each passing second, Victoria moved her lips on his and returned his kiss in kind. Their kiss was long and langorous. He exuded power and skill and mastery over her senses with each movement, and she had no choice but follow wherever he would lead her.

Victoria shivered with the heat. He captured her whole being even as his lips had captured hers.

The world faded away, and his lips became the center of her universe. Still, she yearned for more.

Staking his claim, Alexander sensed her surrender and brushed her lips with the tip of his tongue. In answer, Victoria inched her hands up his chest to hook around his neck. She pressed into the deepening kiss, her supple body touching his from breast to thigh.

Victoria parted her lips, inviting him to give her more, and Alexander slipped his tongue inside to explore her sweetness. Heat flowed through her veins, and she clung to him, offering herself, enjoying the feel of his possession.

And then it was over.

Lifting his lips from hers, Alexander smiled at her dazed expression. He wrapped his arms around her, keeping her pressed against his body as she floated back to earth.

Victoria rested her head against him, her cheek resting on his chest. She felt safe and protected in his arms, a feeling she hadn't experienced since the age of five when she'd still been able to bask in the the warmth of her parents' love.

Victoria smiled to herself. This man had given her the most intense experience of her life, yet she sensed no danger, only an unspoken promise of protection. Somehow, she knew no other man would make her feel this way, no other man's kiss would affect her in the same manner.

"Tory," Alexander murmured.

Victoria looked up, and he stared at her face. Embarrassment washed over her, coloring her cheeks. She felt vulnerable, as if she had revealed too much of herself, and dropped her gaze to his chest."

"You have just done it correctly," Alexander told her.

"What have I done?" she asked, confused.

"You stared at me intensely and dropped your gaze shyly," Alexander answered, making her smile.

"That blush is a nice touch, too." Then he asked, "How do you feel now that you have experienced your first kiss?"

"I tingle in places I never knew existed," she answered, drawing a shaky breath. "Is that normal?"

"Yes."

"Do you tingle?"

"You'll never know how much," he answered.

Victoria became aware of the hardness at his groin, pressing against her belly through her light muslin dress. "I don't think we should stand this close," she said, making no move to separate.

Alexander silently refused to release her. "Do you like opera?"

"Well, I love the intermission," she hedged, making him smile.

"Would you like to accompany me to the opera next week?" Alexander asked.

"Do you mean the two of us alone?"

He nodded.

"I don't think His Grace will allow that," Victoria told him.

Alexander looked down at her upturned face. "His Grace will make an exception for me."

"In that case, would you consider taking me to Covent Gardens at night?" Victoria asked, her smile mischievous.

"That isn't a good place for a young lady," he told her.

"I'll be safe with you," Victoria replied. "If not, how about Vauxhall?"

Alexander laughed. "Victoria, you are pressing your luck."

"If you don't want to take me," Victoria said, giving him a flirtatious smile, "Prince Stepan will be happy to accompany me."

"Is that so?" Alexander smiled at her practicing her wiles on him.

Victoria nodded. "Prince Stepan has already taken me to Drury Lane," she told him. "I sneaked out of the house one night."

Alexander lost his humor. "Your reputation could have been ruined."

"I'm joking," she lied, uneasy with his apparent mood change.

Alexander seemed to relax. "Tell me why you wanted to flirt with me specifically," he said, changing the subject. "Did anyone encourage you?"

"My sisters said you would make an excellent husband," she answered.

"What do you think?" Alexander asked, running a hand up and down her back.

"I thought I was having fun until I saw you and my body began acting strangely," Victoria answered honestly. Then she changed the subject, asking, "Are you very smart?"

Alexander gave her a puzzled look. "Smart enough, I suppose."

"I admire intelligence," she told him, gazing into his hazel eyes. "I bet you read lots of books."

"I thought young ladies admired titles, wealth, and good looks," Alexander teased her.

"Titles, wealth, and good looks are easily lost," Victoria said. "Intelligence is something a man can keep forever."

"Your philosophy impresses me," he said.

Victoria smiled, preening at his praise. She had no idea what philosophy meant, but if he was impressed, then she was proud of it. After all, she possessed very few talents to make her proud.

"Let's return to the house," Alexander said, releasing her.

Victoria didn't especially want to return to the house. She wanted to be alone with him. She also didn't want to be put in the position of looking for the L on the bottom of her shoes.

"Walking barefoot in the grass tickles my feet," Victoria said. "I'll carry my shoes."

Alexander lifted the flute case off the ground. With her in the lead, they started down the path. Victoria stopped short before they left the woodland and turned to face him.

"I want another kiss," Victoria told him.

"I'll kiss you tonight," Alexander refused.

"Why don't you want to kiss me?"

"I do want to kiss you," he answered, "but if I do, I will embarrass myself."

"No one is watching," Victoria said. "I don't understand."

"I will explain it tonight," Alexander promised. "Will you trust me about this?"

Victoria nodded, relieved that he wasn't rejecting her.

Alexander put his arm around her shoulder, and together, they continued down the path. Emerging near the gazebo, Victoria noted her brothers-in-law still practicing their golf.

"I want to speak to Prince Rudolf," Alexander told her. "I'll see you later."

Ignoring her brothers-in-law in an attempt to avoid their teasing, Victoria continued walking toward the house. And then she heard Prince Rudolf, calling, "Tory, have you been kissing Alex?"

Embarrassed, Victoria quickened her pace. That only made her brothers-in-law laugh.

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