Travell waited rather impatiently at the entrance to the British Museum, where he was supposed to meet with his fellow agent. As usual, Logan was running behind. Either that, or Travell was just anxious to have this meeting over with so he could return to Rosewood. And Alyssa.
While he’d managed to gain a few hours of sleep before business had forced him out of his bed, Travell’s mind had been swiftly filled with images of Alyssa ever since. From the way she’d arched her back as they’d made love, to the way her dark hair spread across the white sheets, and the sparkle of mischief that had finally returned to those beautiful green eyes, there was little about her that didn’t fascinate him. Every single inch of her was perfection, and he couldn’t wait to return to her side.
At least he’d already accomplished one thing he’d set out to do that morning, and that was procure a special license. No matter how long he had to wait for Alyssa to finally agree to be his wife, he intended to see both of their signatures on the document. With that comforting item in his jacket pocket, he’d then made his way here, where Logan’s missive had reached him before he’d left Rosewood. Although he didn’t care to be detained in London any longer than necessary, if Logan had news of Sophie that might help his father, he was more than willing to listen.
A hackney stopped in front of the building, and Travell watched as a tall man with coal black hair stepped out of the hired conveyance. Logan Montgomery was an enigma to most, with a past that very few knew about, including Travell. But he had known even fewer men who were as loyal or honorable. Travell wouldn’t hesitate to entrust his life to Logan at a moment’s notice.
Logan greeted him at the top of the steps with an informal handshake, his ice blue eyes assessing. “Good to see you again, Curdiff.”
Travell inclined his head. “Indeed, and the same to you. Although, I daresay I’m curious as to why you wished to meet here. Unless, of course, you merely wanted to have an afternoon excursion to peruse the Rosetta Stone or Captain Cook’s collection.”
Logan’s mouth kicked up at one corner. “Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, Curdiff. You’ll find out soon enough why I asked you to meet me here.”
Travell extended his arm. “Lead the way, Mr. Montgomery.”
After they passed over their tickets for entry, Travell walked through the hallowed halls of the former Montagu House, a space that had been transformed to hold some of the finest antiquities of the world. As additional shipments continued to arrive, plans had already been put into place to expand the museum. Travell was one of the men who had been approached to sponsor the renovation, to which he’d gladly contributed. History was very important to him, as it was part of his heritage as an English lord.
As they meandered through the various exhibits, appearing to marvel at the items on display like any of the other visitors, it wasn’t until they reached the Egyptian room that Logan paused. “A wonderful view, is it not?” he murmured.
Puzzled by his choice of words, Travell glanced about the area. At first, he found nothing unusual of interest, but then, in the corner of the room, he spied two women in bonnets chatting about a specific work of art. They had their backs to them, but when one of the ladies turned her head and caught the attention of the other, revealing the profile of their faces, a niggling sensation crawled up the back of Travell’s spine. There was something vaguely familiar about the second woman…
His jaw slackened as recognition jolted through him like a bolt of lightning. He started to walk toward her, making it halfway across the room before she turned her head and spied him. It took her only a split second to make the connection, but when she did, her face drained of all color and she grasped the sleeve of her companion’s arm.
But it was too late. Travell was upon them and he wasn’t about to let her leave his sight until he found out what he wanted to know.
“Good afternoon, Sophie.”
***
Lady Fremont got to her feet the moment her daughter was shown into the parlor. “It’s about time,” she snapped. “I sent word to you hours ago!”
Caroline’s mouth pursed tightly. “Don’t get angry with me just because you demand that I clean up your mess!” She sank down on the settee across from her mother and buried her face in her hands.
Lady Fremont clenched her hands into fists and rolled her eyes impatiently. The gel was always falling into dramatics at the drop of a hat. “I don’t have time for this right now. In case you aren’t aware of it, Curdiff is in London, and could very well be speaking with Sophie at this very moment! If the scandal were to spread, it could not only mean my ruin, but yours as well.” She paced the length of the parlor. “Stupid gel! I told her to remain out of sight!”
This regained Caroline’s attention. She lifted her head and spat, “You were foolish for letting her leave!”
She glared at her daughter. “She served her purpose well enough. And yet, I asked you for one simple favor—”
“I tried!” Caroline whined. “The viscount is too enamored with James’ cousin to pay me any mind.”
“I thought Lord Lockley was going to take care of her.”
Caroline flopped back against the settee, her mouth pursed in a pout. “James is an imbecile. He told me he was going to see Lady Alyssa was thoroughly reprimanded for the incident involving the stairs, but I doubt he’s been sober long enough to actually follow through with it.”
“Is that so?” Lady Fremont tapped a thoughtful finger against her lips. “In that case, it appears we will have to remove the distraction for him.”
Her daughter tossed her head and snorted. “And how do you imagine that might happen? It’s not as if you can drag her off into the wilds of Africa and dispose of her, especially with the Duke and Duchess of Chiltern in residence.”
“I won’t have to.” The older woman walked over to her writing desk and withdrew a sheet of vellum. She sat down and held her quill at the ready. “Tell me everything you know about Lady Alyssa and her recent behavior.” She smiled. “And I will ensure that she receives the help that she requires.”
Caroline blinked, but as her mother’s implication become clear, her lips turned upward in a cruel smile. “Of course, Mama. I daresay her condition is rather concerning.”
As she rattled off a few things, Lady Fremont’s quill worked furiously. When they were done, she nodded her head. “This should do the trick. Once Lady Alyssa is out of the way, Curdiff will be so preoccupied trying to free her that I can take care of Lord Trenton, once and for all.”
Her daughter’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean to take him back—”
She pinned Caroline with a dark glare. “No. I can’t take the risk that his memory will fully resurface and he will summon the authorities.” She glanced off into the distance and said softly, “He found a way to escape, but I will ensure he suffers the same fate as Lord Fremont. I nearly had the ton convinced that he took the same route as Lord Trenton, but if Curdiff learns the truth…” She shook her head. “This is the only way.”
***
Alyssa went to the conservatory to check on her Blue Ladies and then she walked into the parlor to find Triana working on some needlepoint. The moment the duchess spied her the stitching was immediately tossed aside. “Thank heavens! I wasn’t sure how much more of that torture I could withstand!” She stood up and took Alyssa’s hands in hers. “Truly, you have saved me from a terrible fate!”
Alyssa couldn’t help but laugh as they embraced fondly. She had always loved Triana for her wit and easy manner, and in order to quell any doubts she might be harboring this morning, her presence was appreciated now more than ever.
Triana must have read the hesitation on her face as they parted, for she said, “What’s wrong?”
“Why does anything have to be the matter?”
Triana shook her head. “That doesn’t work with me. I’ve known you too long.”
She pulled her over to the settee where they sat down together. Alyssa couldn’t even count all the times they had been this close in order to share a confidence. But while childhood infatuations or ton gossip was one thing, discussing such delicate matters of the heart, especially when it involved someone like Travell, was rather different.
But when the silence stretched out between them, Alyssa found the words tumbling out without warning. “I love Travell.”
Instead of the shock Alyssa might have been expecting, Triana laughed and said, “I know you do! You always have. But then, he’s been like a brother to you all these years, hasn’t he?”
Alyssa sighed and shook her head. “Of course he has, but that isn’t what I mean.” She took a deep breath and looked intently at Triana, hoping to get her to understand. “I love him. Quite ardently.”
The duchess was silent for a moment, and then her mouth fell open. “Truly?”
Alyssa nodded her head. “Yes.”
Triana shrieked and hugged her once more. “Oh, you can’t know how happy that makes me!” She pulled back with a sigh, her blue eyes full of excitement. “So when can I expect to help plan the wedding?”
At the mention of this, Alyssa hesitated. “I’m not sure.”
“What do you mean?” Triana frowned. “Has he not proposed? Or told you he loves you?”
“Not… exactly.” An image of them in a torrid embrace flashed through her mind, and she was quite sure she reddened slightly. But even she knew making love and being in love wasn’t the same thing.
“I always knew my brother was headstrong, but I didn’t know he was such an idiot as to not declare himself,” Triana huffed, as she crossed her arms. “The way I see it, there’s only one thing that can be done.”
Alyssa wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that.
Triana’s eyes became determined as she looked at her. “You helped me to find out what my brother was hiding by suggesting I pick the lock to his study and search his things. While I did uncover his secrets, it wasn’t quite the way I imagined. What we will do is slowly wear him down until he has no choice but to love you.”
“I’m not… sure that’s the best way to go about earning his affection…” Alyssa murmured.
“Of course it is!” Triana said exuberantly. “I should think I know my own brother. Trust me, the only way to convince him to do anything is to give him no other choice. It’s how I found out about—”
She broke off and Alyssa eyed her curiously. “About what?”
This time, it appeared Triana who the one who was reluctant to reveal her innermost thoughts. However, she relented with a heavy sigh. “I didn’t intend to tell you this, but to let Travell do it in his own time, but…” She paused and said firmly, “You must swear that you won’t allow this information to leave this room.”
Alyssa was starting to get nervous now. “Of course. Just tell me what’s wrong.” She swallowed. “Is he involved in something illegal?”
“On the contrary,” Triana returned, a bit of pride invading her voice. “He’s an agent for the Home Office.”
Alyssa instantly relaxed. “Oh.”
“Oh?” Triana was taken aback. “You already knew?”
She shrugged. “I figured it out some time ago.”
“I see.” Triana sighed and regarded Alyssa rather grimly. “In that case, I suppose you know how dedicated he is to Whitehall. He’s been in service since before I made my debut. I’m not sure he could ever give it up the way Gabriel, Mr. Claymoore, and Ro’s husband have.”
Alyssa digested this. “I can’t say I fault Travell for that. I feel the same way about my roses. They’ve meant so much to me for so long, I’m not sure what I would do without them. I certainly wouldn’t make Travell choose between me and what he loves.”
“But if he loves you, surely he wouldn’t want to continue doing something that would put himself in danger so frequently. Maybe you’re the answer he’s been looking for all this time, the roots he needs to settle down and start a family.”
She shook her head. “I believe that Travell cares for me, but…” She paused.
“What?” Triana prodded.
She could feel her cheeks heat rather traitorously, when she admitted, “Although he has asked me to marry him…”
Triana’s mouth fell open. “And you’re just now telling me this? My goodness, Aly, surely you can see this proves his devotion!”
“But,” Alyssa added. “I’m not sure he’s asked me for the same reasons I want him to.” She had thought the way he caressed her so tenderly just a few hours ago might have proved that he loved her. But then, perhaps it was only pent up desire and frustration that had caused him to come to her bed.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t confide such intimacies in Triana, for she would surely confront her brother, and she certainly didn’t want Travell to wed her out of some sense of “duty.”
However, since she felt she needed to add something else, she said, “He wanted to protect me from my cousin and Caroline. That’s all.”
Triana gave a huff. “I think you’re wrong, but we’ll just find out when Travell returns and ask him exactly what his intentions are—”
She immediately reached out and grasped her friend’s hand. “Oh, please, Tri. Don’t do that. I should die from sheer mortification should he even hesitate. You know as well as I do that it’s difficult for him to express any sort of raw emotion. Just… let him come to me on his own.”
The duchess regarded her for a moment, and then nodded. “Very well. I truly don’t mean to interfere, but I just know the two of you would make a wonderful match and I should be rather upset if Travell ruins both of your chances at happiness.”
“I’m grateful to have such a good friend in you, Tri,” Alyssa said in all sincerity. “You have always been the sister I never had.”
Her blue eyes filled with moisture. “Stop that this instant. I don’t need to turn into a watering pot.” But the smile that followed belied any chiding she might have otherwise expressed.
As the duke walked into the room, his unique silver eyes assessed the situation. He stopped and lifted a dark brow. “Am I interrupting something?”
His wife shook her head and then winked at Alyssa. “No. Just idle feminine chit chat.”
“Heaven forbid,” he murmured, but there was a ghost of a smile about his mouth. “I was sent downstairs with a message from Dr. Perimore. It seems he might have encountered a breakthrough regarding your father’s memory.”
Triana put a hand to her chest with a gasp. “Truly?”
“Indeed. And Lord Trenton even appears to be lucid at the moment. At least, he was when I left. The codger even beat me at a round of chess this morning,” he grumbled.
The duchess smiled fondly, and Alyssa could tell that the duke’s attentiveness in visiting with the earl and assisting Dr. Perimore meant a lot to Triana. She rose from her seat. “In that case, I should enjoy that very much.” She turned to Alyssa. “Would you like to join me?”
Alyssa shook her head. “This should be a private visit,” she returned. “Besides, I had my dance with the earl last evening.”
Triana’s blue eyes sparkled. “I heard about that. I appreciate that you’ve been so kind to my father. I know it’s been rather trying for you and Travell until now.” With that, she left the room with Gabriel as her escort.
Left on her own, Alyssa headed back to the conservatory, where she could be surrounded by the comfort of the one thing that had ever been constant in her life.