But Travell must have decided he’d had enough for it wasn’t long before he returned to the house.
Chapter Seven
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 teethat 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’dimagined. He’d thought he’d made it quite clear back then how he felt about her, but since hehadstillbeenunsure 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 abrother?
Hegrimaced. What a blow to his pridethatwas.If that was the case, he supposed he’d just have to change her mind somehow,toget her to look at him in a different light.Travell’smindinstantlystarted to whirl, for he wasn’t without his charms.Butthen, 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 abitharder to swallow.
Again, he was thankful thatneitherhis mothernor Triana were here to deal with this difficult situation.At least he had spared them thisheartache.
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 toclose the distance between them andtear 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 decisionabouttaking 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 slackand she reddened slightly. “I can’t believe she told you.”
“She didn’t have to tell me,” he correctedin 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 shouldbe going.”
Travell looked at Alyssa andfound 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 judgmentimplicitlywhen it comes to my father. I think what you did for him today wasa 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 admittedwith 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 inhis palm. “Would it be
