Alyssa’s grip tightened on her fork, but she took a deep breath and forced her grip to relax. She would not allow herself to be injured by Caroline’s malicious barbs. But neither would she stay and allow herself to accept them without restraint either.
She wiped her mouth with her napkin and stood. “If you’ll excuse me?”
The lady smiled, but it was stiff and formal, without an ounce of kindness.
Alyssa turned her back on Lady Lockley and, after retrieving hermaid,she headed out the door as quickly as she could manage.
***
Travell sat in his study, attempting to concentrate on his estate ledgers, making plans for the harvest season, but he found that his attention was sadly distracted.Even though Alyssa hadn’t bothered him any longer than a brief conversation when she’d arrived, he knew she was here and that was all it took for his focus to wander.
He finally set aside his quill and rubbed his eyes. It didn’t help matters that he was exhausted. His father had another restless night and Travell had finally started to wonder how much more either of them could endure. He detested the idea of sending the earl to Bedlam, but it was equally difficult to see the man fight against his restraints, howling about poisoning and ill treatment. At least if he was in a padded cell he wouldn’t be constantly bound to his bed. Needless to say, Travell was torn between the lesser of two evils.
A sudden commotion in the hallway made him frown, so hegottohis feet, intending to investigate. However, the moment he opened the door, he froze. He saw Alyssa and two of his footmencarryinga sedan chair.He’d nearly forgotten about the thing, stored somewhere in the attic for years, but apparentlysomeone had mentioned it.
Travell’s heart clenched. “What’s going on here?”
“Oh, hallo,” Alyssa said with a wide smile. “It’s such a lovely day I thought to take Lord Trentonout to get some fresh air.”
He glanced between the two servants who lowered their gazes almost guiltily.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Besides, I’ve instructed for the windows in his room to remain open to air out the space.”
“Indeed,” Alyssa returned. “But the sun is shining and this will make it much easier for the maid’s to change his bed clothes.” Travell must have showed his hesitation, for those green eyes beseeched his. “Trust me.”
Travell blew out a breath. There wasn’t anything he could deny her when she looked at him like that. “Very well. But I insist on going with you.” He glared at his servants. “And next time I expect to be consulted about this.”
Alyssa set her hands on her hips. “Don’t be angry with them. They were only acting on my request.I didn’t think you would mind.”
He lifted a brow. “You imagine I don’t care that you’re carting my father about the grounds without my knowledge, where any number of pitfalls could occur?”
For an instant, her gaze faltered, but then she straightened her shoulders. “Of course I know you care,” she returned, almost defensively. “But he can’t stay inside those four walls day after day. It won’t help his condition.”
He snorted. “I assume that’s something you read in that book.”
“It is. In fact, there are several methods that I’m hoping to try. With your permission, naturally.”
He wasn’t sure if she was being sincere, or if he detected a hint of mockery in her tone, but for the moment he let it slide, decidingit would be easier if he humored her. He waved a hand towardhis father’s room. “After you, my lady.”
Travell had to admit that his father’s eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning when Alyssa told him that they would be going outside. It caused Travell no amount of shame to see the leather straps removed from the earl’s wrists as he was carefully led over to the sedan chair and Alyssa gently wrapped a blanket around him. He felt no better than an asylum warden.
“How is that, Papa?”
Apparently, she was to be Triana again. The earl smiled. “Very nice, my girl. But then, you alwaysdid havea care for my welfare.”
“You’re my father. How could I not?” She nodded to the footmen who carefully headed downstairs with the earl in tow.
Travell lagged behind, feeling as though he was the third wheel, but curious as to how this might play out after all. If that book was more than just nonsense and conjecture, then perhaps there was hope after all. Either way, he supposed it was worth a try. If they gained nothing, then at least their efforts wouldn’t have been in vain.
***
Alyssa was grateful that Travell was willing to go along with her plan. She wasn’t sure how he might react, so she decided that the best way to convince him was to simply act on her instincts. Much of the treatise made sense to her, for she’d never been a fan of how lunatics were treated in such horrid conditions. It only made her imagine that the treatment was worse than the disease, as harsh as they were.
Thus, she was willing to have a bit of faith and see where this led them. If the day progressed as she hoped, perhaps there might be more outings ahead.
But for now, she walkedalongsidethe earl where he bobbed and swayed with the footmen’s movements.
Alyssa’s pulse accelerated of its own accord when Travell fell into step beside her, when she thought he might have taken a spot on the other side of his father. However, he seemed perfectly content to let her lead this excursion.
