Travell cursed himself for every bit of a fool as he stalked back to his study, very nearly slamming the door behind him. He wasn’t even sure why he was upset, other than the fact Alyssa had basically put him in the category of a close friend or family member.
He ground his teeth at the very thought. Didn’t she even remember the kiss he’d stolen all those years ago? If that was how she imagined a mere friend might embrace her then she was more naïve than he’d imagined. He’d thought he’d made it quite clear back then how he felt about her, but since he had still been unsure about women and how they actually operated, he hadn’t pursued anything further.
Now, he wished he had.
He stopped suddenly. Was that why she’d refused his proposal, because she looked upon him as a brother?
He grimaced. What a blow to his pride that was. If that was the case, he supposed he’d just have to change her mind somehow, to get her to look at him in a different light. Travell’s mind instantly started to whirl, for he wasn’t without his charms. But then, he hadn’t enlisted Alyssa’s help just to seduce her.
He appreciated her efforts to bring his father back to life, and he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it. It was true that he said he wanted answers that only Lord Trenton was able to provide. If he only knew that the earl had left for honorable reasons, his abandonment could be a bit easier to bear. But if he found out it was nothing more than his own selfish desires…
Well, that would be a bit harder to swallow.
Again, he was thankful that neither his mother nor Triana were here to deal with this difficult situation. At least he had spared them this heartache.
He paused, thinking back to a recent conversation he’d had with Triana after she found out that he’d been working as a secret agent for the Crown. She’d been upset that he’d withheld the truth, when he’d thought he’d been safeguarding her from danger. In turn, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was doing the right thing now, but he wasn’t about to write to Triana on her blessed honeymoon and relay something of this magnitude.
As far as his mother… he honestly wasn’t sure how Lady Trenton would take her husband’s sudden resurgence. She seldom spoke of the earl, nor her feelings regarding his departure, other than it had made her a bit more wary of Gabriel’s attentions, until she realized that he truly loved Triana.
Now that the dust had finally settled, Travell wasn’t eager to stir it up again.
A light knock at the door interrupted his musings. “Enter.”
He turned to see Alyssa walk in, gently shutting the door behind her. She had removed her bonnet, and Travell fought the urge to close the distance between them and tear the pins from her dark hair. Running his fingers through the thick length would only make him yearn to see it spread across his pillow.
She clasped her hands before her. “I wanted to apologize for earlier.”
He set his hands on his hips, momentarily lost. “Why?”
“I realize that I overstepped when it came to making the decision about taking the earl outside. I should have talked with you first.” She attempted a slight smile. “I fear my aunt was right when she said I was always rather impulsive.”
Travell couldn’t help but chuckle. “As if I hadn’t known that already. I do believe it was your idea to have Triana break into my study.”
Her mouth went slack and she reddened slightly. “I can’t believe she told you.”
“She didn’t have to tell me,” he corrected in a dry tone. “I used to trail after the both of you when you were children, if you recall. I know the sort of mischief you got into.”
She had the grace to appear a bit sheepish. “We did rather enjoy aggravating you.”
“Indeed.” He laughed, and then they both fell silent.
After a time, she said, “I suppose I should be going.”
Travell looked at Alyssa and found it even harder to deny his desire for her. As she started to leave, he finally found his voice. “Wait.” He moved forward and stopped before her. He swallowed to regain his courage. “I trust your judgment implicitly when it comes to my father. I think what you did for him today was a definite step in the right direction. He was calmer than I’ve ever seen him. Thank you.”
To his surprise, she appeared embarrassed by his praise, so she quickly changed the subject. “Have you told your mother yet?”
“I haven’t,” he admitted with a sigh. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how she might take the news, and I don’t need a hysterical woman on top of dealing with my father’s health.”
Alyssa nodded. “Perhaps you’re right.”
Again, silence fell.
And then, Travell reached out and cupped her cheek in his palm. “Would it be
wrong of me to kiss you, Alyssa?”
***
Alyssa’s heart stopped beating. How on earth was she supposed to reply to that?
But perhaps words weren’t needed.
She wondered if he remembered stealing that kiss the night of her debut ball. Since there had been more than a hint of brandy on his breath that night, it would be amazing if he recalled anything. But since she had been curious if his kiss would affect her as much now as it had all those years ago, why not engage in a bit of flirtation? She wanted him to take more notice of her and she couldn’t very well do that without using a bit of her feminine wiles.
“I think that would be perfectly acceptable, my lord,” she whispered.
The corners of his mouth lifted, as if her reply pleased him, and then he lowered his head and touched his mouth to hers.
Instantly, Alyssa’s pulse began racing. With just the lightest brush of his lips, she turned into a raging inferno. It was so much more powerful than five years ago when they had snuck behind the garden hedge for a quick tryst. Back then, it was innocent and fun, but now… it was so much more. If she wasn’t careful, the need for this man could easily consume her, body and soul.
As the pressure increased, she tilted her feet upward, seeking to deepen the embrace. With a growl that shocked her and sent her blood coursing through her veins, he pulled her against him where she could feel every single, hard inch of him. She placed her hands on his chest and sighed when she felt his heart was hammering nearly as fast as her own.
She dared to go further, sliding her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms about her waist. He coaxed her lips open by sliding his tongue along the seam of her lips. When she gasped, he thrust inside, only to retreat, and then repeat the pattern again.
Alyssa clutched his back, her fingers digging into his jacket. When he pulled his mouth away from her, she moaned at the loss, until he nuzzled the side of her neck. She had no idea how sensitive one could be there, but her thighs were burning, the apex between her legs throbbing with the need for something… more.
Only when his palm cupped her breast beneath her gown did she realize how this could easily spiral out of control. She would tell him to stop.
She would.
Just not yet.
She’d waited for this moment far too long to end it so soon.
Her eyes fluttered open and her breathing hitched when she saw the answering call of desire in his hypnotizing, blue gaze. How many times had she dreamed of this moment? When he would touch her and caress her and whisper words of love in her ear…
Anticipation began to evaporate until it turned sour. It was obvious to her now that Travell wanted her, but lust wasn’t enough for her. She wasn’t some strumpet that he could have fun with and then discard. She cared about herself too much to give in to him without anything in return but the promise of passion.
Just when Travell was about to trail his finger down the length of her bodice, she lifted a hand and stopped his movements. “No more. Please.”
It took a moment for him to come back to his senses, but when he did, he looked at her in shock and took a step backward. She noticed that his hand was shaking. “I’m… sorry. I don’t know what… came over me.”
“I’m as much at fault as you are,” she returned softly. She glanced away, so she wouldn’t be tempted to fling herself back into his arms. “I’ll… see you tomorrow.”
She opened the door and walked out, shutting the door behind her.
***
That night was the first since he’d arrived that Lord Trenton slept completely through until dawn. Travell, on the other hand, found that the rest he’d so desperately been requiring had eluded him. He’d tossed and turned all night, that kiss replaying over in his mind until he thought he would go mad.
He wanted nothing more than to repeat the experience, but he wouldn’t disrespect her like that. If the time came when she wanted more, she would have to be the one to approach him. He would keep his distance, even if it tormented him.
Even so, after Travell had finished breakfast, he found himself drawn to the conservatory. He told himself it was merely to see what she’d done with the space, but also because here, in her sanctuary, he could be close to her.
The moment he walked into the warm, humid room, he was struck with the fragrant perfume from numerous flowers. It was hard to distinguish one from the other, for there were several blooms in varying colors. It amazed him how much this dilapidated area had been transformed in such a short amount of time. What had once fallen into ruin was now bursting with life.
He spied her prized roses and walked over to them, gently rubbing one velvety petal between his thumb and forefinger. “And how are you doing today?” he murmured, and then instantly felt foolish for speaking to a flower. And when the petal’s softness began to remind him of the silkiness of Alyssa’s skin, he let his hand fall to his side.
He had to admit that these Blue Ladies were truly remarkable, boasting a haunting shade of sapphire that he’d never seen before.
His sister had gushed about Alyssa’s talents more than once, but he’d generally listened with half an ear as she’d droned on. Now he could see that what Alyssa had accomplished was rather impressive. But then, he had never been around anyone who enjoyed horticulture to this point. His mother certainly hadn’t cared about gardening, her talents best employed in a drawing room gossiping over tea. And Triana generally had her nose stuck in a book.
While his memory was rather fuzzy, he vaguely recalled Alyssa’s mother. He’d only been five when she’d died, but the former Lady Lockley had possessed a kind smile, and the same interest in plants that her daughter now shared.
It was a shame Alyssa had never known her mother, but he knew the lady’s good traits lived on in her, and the daughters she had would likely bear the same similarities.
Travell’s heart clenched as he suddenly pictured a girl with brunette curls running across his estate.
He clenched his jaw, thinking that it might be a good day to ride about the estate and check on his tenants, where temptation wasn’t so easily accessible. Otherwise, he might be inclined to break his own promise to leave Alyssa alone.
Travell left the conservatory and ordered his horse to be saddled. But before he could take one step out the door, Ives intercepted him. “I’m afraid there’s a problem, my lord,” he said grimly.
This didn’t sound good at all. “What is it?”
“It appears that Lord Trenton has gone missing.”
***
Alyssa schooled her expression to present the picture of calm as she rode to Rosewood. Seated across from her maid, she kept her shoulders back, hands in her lap, and now and then glanced at the countryside beyond the window, although she noticed very little of it. Of course, it was all a façade to hide the fact she was a mess on the inside. If anyone were to look closely, they would see the tight set of her mouth and the shadows beneath her eyes. Anyone might think that paying a visit to her Blue Ladies would be enough to lift her spirits, but when she stopped to think about seeing Lord Curdiff again, the butterflies began to flutter furiously in her stomach.
She closed her eyes briefly and released a slow breath. She could do this. After all, it wasn’t as if she hadn’t faced him in the past after that first kiss. But while her ardor had been strong before, now it was positively flaming. All night she’d dreamed of his kiss, her body yearning for more of his touch.
However, when she’d dressed and gone downstairs to find Caroline waiting for her, any fantasies had quickly vanished. Just the sight of the woman was enough to dampen the most pleasant of moods. Thankfully, Alyssa was able to make another easy escape.
“Who is that?”
Daisy’s query caught Alyssa’s attention and she actually focused on the passing scenery. “Oh, dear God. It’s the earl!” Instantly, her lungs froze and she rapped on the roof of the carriage. “Stop!” she shouted.
She opened the door and vaulted out of the vehicle before it had even come to a complete stop, rushing across the field toward the pond where Lord Trenton was standing along the edge. He was still attired in his nightshirt and she didn’t even want to imagine how he might have slipped past the servants at Rosewood to end up here.
As she drew closer, she slowed her pace. She didn’t wish to startle him. “Papa?”
He turned his head and narrowed his eyes. “Amelia, why on earth would you call me that?”
Alyssa sighed inwardly. So she was to be his wife again. “John, please, come back to the house and stop this foolishness.” She held her hand out to him, but he continued to glare at her.
“Why? So you can just yell at me again?”
A prickle of warning began to crawl up her spine, but she continued to speak to him in a soothing manner. “You know that we settled our differences.”
He snorted. “Did we? Because just this morning you were complaining about the time I spent at the gaming tables.” He shook his head. “I can’t seem to make you happy, Amelia.”
“Of course you make me happy, John. How could you not? We have two wonderful children—”
“Enough!” He sliced his hand through the air and Alyssa fell silent. “We both know this marriage was doomed from the start. We’ve always chosen different paths. You wanted to be a countess, so that’s what I gave you. Now it’s time to think of my own happiness. I love Sophie.”
Alyssa didn’t have to know the earl’s history to figure out that must have been the name of the scullery maid he’d run off with. She also knew this is where she had to tread carefully. “You must do what you believe is best for you. I won’t stop you.”
He laughed at that. “You already tried to have her sacked, but I refuse to have you destroy our child.”
“Sophie’s with child?” She choked out, her mind spinning with the implications of this knowledge.
“As if you didn’t already know. But then, you’re embarking on your own peccadilloes, aren’t you?” His mouth twisted. “How are Lord and Lady Fremont these days?”
Alyssa put a hand to her head, as the blood ran cold through her veins. She knew she would have to relay this conversation to Travell, but how could she possibly tell him any of this?
“Where is Sophie now?” she whispered. If, by chance, they could manage to find the former maid, perhaps she could shed some light on all of this.
Unfortunately, she realized she’d overstepped a little too late.
He advanced on her, his fists clenched, his blue eyes nearly crazed with mania. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Amelia? You want to see me fail in every way. But I refuse to be held under your thumb any longer.” He grabbed Alyssa by the throat and began to squeeze. “For years you told me I was worthless, a disappointing lover and a bad father, just so you could become the victim and do as you pleased without any remorse. But those days are over. I’m leaving with Sophie tonight.”
Alyssa gasped for air, darkness starting to close in on her vision. She tried to talk, but his grip only tightened. Desperate, she clawed at his arm, but he was too strong.
As she began to fall limp and lose consciousness, she thought she heard someone call her name, and then there was nothing but silence.