''I have been here for two days, yet I feel as though it has been years.'' Victoria looked out of the window as her carriages were being packed.
Her final day at Brocket Hall had been wonderful. Herself and Lord Melbourne had ridden for almost 2 hours, exploring the woodlands and wide-open fields, they even crossed through a river. They enjoyed lunch outside, despite the cooler air, and Victoria had insisted that he sit with her whilst she did her boxes.
Her staff had given them space. But she knew this was not to continue. She would have numerous engagements upon returning, plus there was her family to consider.
He had kissed her in the library earlier. Victoria remembered her back being pressed against the bookcase. The slight discomfort only increased her pleasure for his actions on her. He was much easier to be close to than Albert. Who felt rigid and unhappy even when holding her hand in public events. Her lips tingled as she remembered how she had felt with him pressed up against her, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. Her confusion had gone. She was now certain he desired her as much as she did him. It was just drawing that out of him. That, she did not quite know how to do.
Victoria walked down the hallway after being dressed to leave.
''William has been much happier of late. I am glad he has stopped treating himself so terribly.'' Victoria heard Emma Portman speaking, and stopped to listen. ''I thought he would end up in an early grave after the engagement was announced. He was truly bereft without Her Majesty's company and would drink himself silly most nights.
''Albert has not gone away though.'' Harriett replied ''I do not think he will take kindly to how attentive Lord Melbourne is around the Queen now.''
Victoria quietly walked off. Albert would have no choice.
''I fear the Palace will be different when I return.'' Victoria's voice spoke aloud and startled the Prime Minister.
She giggled, quite childishly and walked towards him. ''Please, forgive me Lord M. I did not mean to startle you.''
''Not at all ma'am.'' He smiled and clasped her hands in his as she offered them to him. He had loved having such life back in Brocket Hall. But it took some getting used to.
Victoria squeezed his hands, her anxiety clear. ''I know that my uncle desires changes. He would have done something whilst I have been away.''
''Whatever changes occur ma'am, we shall face them together.'' He assured her, watching her posture soften.
''You have always been so kind to me, Lord M. But I fear you do not always tell me if I am doing the wrong thing. I know Albert is quick to inform me.''
''If I corrected you at every mistake or risk of one ma'am, then you would never learn anything.'' He paused. ''If you feel that separating from Albert and your Uncle is what is best for you, as Queen, then I am happy to assist you.''
''But is it the right thing?'' She pulled her hands from his gently and looked quite serious.
''There is no right or wrong here ma'am. If you think that you would be happier and more successful as Queen alone, then I support your decision.''
''I don't think it Lord M. I know it. I have learnt so much from you already. When I think of all of the things I don't know, I feel excited at the prospect of becoming a better Queen for my country. Given what I have learnt without Albert, I have no reason to think it won't continue if I lose him.''
He smiled. If she was not so young, and a woman, everybody would support her. Despite having to earn respect and prove her worth, he saw such ambition and drive behind her eyes. Husbands ruled women, he had seen many bright women silenced once married. Perhaps ruling alone was the best option. He could not imagine anyone ruling her.
He stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his tall frame. ''I will stand by your side regardless of what happens, ma'am.''
He leant down and kissed her. Feeling her place her hand on his cheek, the moment remained tender. He pulled back, and gazed into her eyes, their faces inches from each other. Victoria kissed him again, with determination this time.
He pulled her lips into her own and held her head and slender frame in place as he kissed her. Every noise and reaction she made he would remember, wanting to please her in the best way possible. She moaned as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss. His hands moved from her head and roamed down her body, feeling the curve of her waist and hips. He could get lost in her, whilst they remained within such privacy of Brocket Hall, he found little reason not to.
Victoria pulled away from his lips and gasped for air, he took the opportunity to kiss her jawline, moving down to her neck where he nipped and sucked at her skin, breathing in the sweet smell of her and her perfume. He nibbled at her ear lobe as her hands started to explore too, slipping beneath his waist coat and running up his back, digging her nails in gently as he hit a particularly sweet spot on her neck.
''I never knew such pleasure existed.'' She whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
''This is the very start of such pleasures.'' He said between kissing her, moving down her chest and stopping at the top of her dress, kissing her cleavage which sat just above it. Her new style had not gone unnoticed, he watched men admire her around Brocket Hall. He could not judge, for he was doing the same. The lesser fabric and skirts were a blessing to him, as he felt closer to her.
Victoria pulled away from him fully, leaving him stood alone. He saw her ragged breath and sparkling eyes in the light of the fire. She moved to a chaise and sat down. ''You will get a sore back, if you have to bend down too much.''
He smiled and stifled a laugh as he moved to sit beside her, kissing her again as if it was the only thing keeping his heart beating. He pushed her back gently, encouraging her to lay back into the arm of the chaise. He leant over her, taking most of his weight and settling between her legs.
Her body writhed beneath him as she grew more aroused. He resisted the urge to do too much, all too aware that they were due to leave for London very soon.
''Touch me.'' She murmured, her eyes closed and head back as he looked up from where he was kissing her neck. He knew what she meant. He wondered for a second, whether Albert had ever touched her in this way. Jealously flooded his mind and he quite possessively shifted and placed his hands beneath her skirts, moving up until he reached her stockings.
Her skin was hot to touch, and smooth like a fine silk. He was pressed between her legs, but she managed to part them further. He loved how reactive she was, even to the unknown.
He pulled her mouth into a kiss, feeling her hands clasp onto his back as she tried with some desperation to move his hand closer to her core. He quite enjoyed making her wait, he found.
A knock at the door startled them both.
''What is it?'' He snapped. Having not moved from his position over her.
''The carriages are ready My Lord.'' The Butler spoke from behind the closed door, which he suddenly remembered had not been locked.
He withdrew his hand from her skirts and watched her huff in frustration. ''Will this happen once we return to the Palace?''
He quirked his lips. ''I am sure that we will find a way, ma'am.'' She kissed him, and he could feel her desperation and want. But they were waiting. Ignoring his own arousal, he rose from her and helped her up, watching her smooth down her dress upon standing.
''I wish to visit Brocket Hall again.'' Victoria said as they walked towards the doors. ''I noticed there are two towers on the hall Lord M, is there anything in them?'' She asked casually as the diary popped back into her mind. She had awoken too late this morning to go and look again.
He paused for a moment, physically stunted by her question. ''Nothing of any importance ma'am.'' He replied quietly, looking at the floor. Victoria ignored the unease that his answer gave him, choosing to bring the topic up at a different time. He surely had no reason to lie?
He clasped her hand, she was slightly in-front of him, he pulled gently, spinning her on her heels and pulling her into an embrace. He kissed her, banishing her thoughts and fears for a moment. ''Please do not think that I want this to end either.'' He murmured, playing with a loose strand of hair beside her face.
Victoria placed her hands on his chest and ran them up to his shoulders, reaching up and kissing him again. ''I do not appreciate being interrupted.''
Her complaint was a mutual one as he too was frustrated to be deprived of something he had waited so long for.
She pressed her body firmly into his ''Continue.'' She said quietly, moving her hands down his arms and around his waist. He leant into her neck and breathed her in. His own restraint beginning to crumble as his arousal had not yet left him.
''Please'' She whispered in his ear.
He had always preferred a submissive woman. Whilst he found her stubbornness and determination attractive too, her pleading and begging was testing his self control. He smiled, making sure she could feel it against her neck.
He picked her up, hoping that her shriek in surprise wasn't heard and carried her petite frame towards the door, he quickly locked it and left the key there, ensuring that any knocking could not be followed by somebody entering. He walked her over towards the wall and gently let her down. Her eyes were alight with excitement and her breathing shallow as he tucked the same strand of hair back behind her ear.
Pinning her to the wall, he kissed her with as much hunger and want as she had pleaded for. She had no time to moan, or ask him anything before his hand was back up her skirts and tracing circles on her inner thigh.
He looked down at her, a blush had formed over her cheeks which spread down to her chest. Her breath was short and sharp, and her eyes closed with her lips just slightly apart. He stayed there for a moment, enjoying the anticipation that he was forcing upon her, before his hand moved and his fingers touched her, there.
Victoria shuddered as pleasure shot through her. He sealed her mouth with a kiss as she moaned and tilted her head back, gripping his arms to hold herself upright. Her legs parted further as his fingers ran up and down the most intimate part of her occasionally flicking over the sensitive nub that she had touched herself before when thinking of him in bed at night. She could feel how wet she was, and tried to ignore her embarrassment as she wondered what he thought of that.
He had full control over her. She couldn't move, not that she wanted too, and he silenced her with his kisses whenever he did something new. Her body was trembling as the pressure in her core built up more and more until the sensitivity was both unbearable and delightful.
She panted and pleaded quietly to him, but she didn't know what she was pleading for. He nipped at her earlobe quite hard with his teeth and groaned himself, which only heightened her arousal further. And then, everything was too much.
He muffled her cry with another kiss as her orgasm ripped through her. He held her in place against the wall as her whole body trembled and shook whilst his hand stayed between her legs, allowing her to ride out the last of her ecstasy. Her blush was now very deep on her cheeks and her skin had a tint of moisture to it, he noticed, as he parted from her lips and watched her breathing relax and her posture change.
Her eyes shone when she finally opened them, not that he would admit it, but he loved her a little more. He took a step back, ignoring his own arousal as he waited for her to speak.
Victoria pounced on him, her beaming smile showing off her perfect teeth before she kissed him. ''I did not know it was possible to feel that way.'' She confessed, no longer embarrassed.
He ran his thumb and forefinger over her chin in a loving way and smiled ''There is so much more to experience ma'am.'' He said quietly.
Another knock at the door came. ''In a moment.'' Melbourne called, dismissing whoever was there. He knew their time was up, and it would be late if they did not leave for London now. ''We must leave, ma'am.''
''Why do you never call me by my name?'' Victoria asked.
He considered his answer, ''I would find it too personal I think, ma'am.''
Lord Melbourne waited patiently by the burning fire as Victoria greeted and chatted to his brother George.
He was harmless, his brother. He loved the woman he was married to and was a very loyal husband. But it didn't soothe the sting of jealously he felt as he watched Victoria talk and laugh with him so comfortably. George was full of boyish charm and stories, he could tell that she enjoyed his company.
Her ladies had been dismissed. And her Uncle Leopold, Albert and The Duchess had little to say to her during the frosty welcome that they offered her. Which resulted in them not being invited into the sitting room. Leaving just himself, George, and Victoria to talk. Unless the dog was included too.
''We should really be leaving.'' He thought aloud, glancing up at the couple who stopped talking and looked over to him.
''Brother is right. It is getting late, we really should be leaving.'' He kissed the Queen's hand. ''I shall be outside, William.'' He grinned and winked, ignoring the look of annoyance on Lord Melbourne's face as he flashed Victoria a cheeky grin. As soon as the door clicked shut, he turned his attention to Victoria.
''Does he know?'' She asked cautiously
He sighed. ''My brother is a very… observant person ma'am. He means no harm, and wouldn't put you at risk.''
''I believe others in the Palace have their suspicions too.'' She rubbed her hands together, walking towards the fireplace.
''There has been suspicion since you first became Queen ma'am. I wouldn't worry about it.''
She didn't answer him.
''How do you feel to be back at the Palace?''
''I shall be glad of the convenience.'' She admitted. ''My boxes were unreliable when travelling such a distance. But everything else is quite dull. I would much prefer to be at Brocket Hall.'' The diary popped back into her mind…
''Brocket Hall shall always welcome you Your Majesty.'' He offered a small smile and his usual smooth voice as he walked towards her.
''Good night, Lord M.'' Victoria smiled, having to look up as he edged closer towards her.
''Good night, ma'am.'' He said quietly, bending down and placing a delicate and tender kiss on her lips. He felt her soft hand on his cheek as he did so.
Things would improve from now. He would make sure of it.
Dover House was a welcomed sight by the time Lord Melbourne had reached it. It was late evening when the two of them had traveled back. He had struggled to hide his sadness at the prospect of leaving her. Brocket Hall had brought him and Victoria closer together. Going from such a kind environment into a judgmental one was never going to be easy, but he felt she handled it well.
Her absence was already noticed though, and whilst he himself was back home, his mind remained at Brocket Hall.
''Did you enjoy yourself at Brocket Hall then?'' George asked as they walked into Dover House.
''It was very pleasant.'' Lord Melbourne smiled as he recalled certain encounters. ''What about you, at the Palace?''
''Horrid'' George said plainly ''There is a lot to tell you, but I am not going through it tonight old chap. Let's talk tomorrow.
Lord Melbourne nodded and watched his brother retire for the evening. He took to sifting through the pile of letters that were waiting for him and poured himself a glass of Brandy.
''Excuse me my Lord.'' A butler called to him. ''Annabelle Lacey came to Dover House this afternoon looking for you. She said that she was in London for a short while and would like to meet with you.''
He frowned, but nodded and thanked the butler.
Annabelle. What on earth could she want? Lord Melbourne sighed. Too much was changing.
I have read many stories that involve Brocket Hall and these two so I wanted to keep things simple before stuff gets messy! I hope you enjoyed reading, please take a moment to leave your thoughts.