Travell’s mouth tightened, for whilehis fatherknew him, he’d reverted back to the past, seeing him as the son he’d known long ago, instead of the man who stood before himnow. But instead of correcting the earl’sassumption, he merely replied. “Yes. It’s me,Father.”
“I damnedwellsay it’s about time! Where is your sister?” he demanded. “I haven’t seen her or your mother, all day!” When he tried to move, hejerked against the bonds andfrowned. “What the devil is this all about?”
“It’s for protection,” Travell noted evenly. He didn’t say for whom, for the missive he’d received from his estate manager before he left Londonhadsaid his father had been rather violent when he’d arrived, attacking the village doctorwho hadbeen summoned. After that, he’d been tied to his bed like some sort of wild animal.
It made Travell’s stomachrathersick to see him in such a sorry shape. But then, he hadn’t heard from his father in nearly seven years, ever since he’drunoff with the scullery maid the night of Triana’s debut ball. God only knew what had happened in that amount of time to twist his mind. Considering his current condition, Travell might never know what had caused his father’s abrupt departure. Or his return.
But even though hemight never gain the answers to the questions swirling in his mind, this man was still his sire. Travell hated himself for it,yethe couldn’t help but feel a bit of empathy for the man he’donce beenin his youth, even if he might revile the scoundrel he’d become, or the pitiful creature that was writhing on the bed.
“You need to rest.” Travell tried to speak in a soothing manner, as if attempting to calm a skittish horse.The other manwas having none of it.
“I am the Earl of Trenton! Release me at once!”
His eyes were nearly bulging out of his head and his face had turned such an alarming shade of red that Travell thought he might have an apoplexy. And then he started to hurl the most obscene curses,suchthat if Travell hadn’t worked all his life among villains and criminals he might have been shocked. As it was, he was just…numb.
The butler appeared in the doorway and cleared his throat. “If I might be of assistance, my lord?”
Travell saw him hold up a brown bottle and he knew what that meant.Laudanum.While he abhorred the drug, he knew it was probably the only thing that might calm his fatherwhen he was stuck in thegripof such a horrific episode.“Do it,” he growled, but he turned away when the servant administered the opium.
After a moment, the earl fell still, his curses fading into a mumble that eventually silenced completely ashis eyes closed.
“Thank you, Ives.” Travell said stoically.
As the servant left, Travellrubbed his temples in an attempt to ease the tension that was screaming inside his brain. He walked over to the window and looked outside. He hadn’t noticed it during the ride here, but it really was a lovely autumn day. The sun was shining and the sky was nearly a cloudless blue. A light breeze rustled the remaining leaves in the trees and as he closed his eyes, he could almost hear nature’s melody through the glass pane.
But when he opened his eyes again, this time the scene was blurred. He blinked to remove the moisture from his gaze. He was a man. He didn’t cry. His father had always taught him to be strong and resilient, for there was no point in showing weakness.
He blew out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose to hold back the emotion twisting him on the inside. Travell knew he should be grateful that his father was back home safe after so many years of wondering if he was dead or alive, but the man who had returned wasn’t the oneTravellhad mourned. Until he could decide the best way to approach this matter, he would have to ensure that his mother and Triana didn’t find out the truth. He’d already given strict instructions to all of his staff in London that Lady Trenton should be told nothing other than he’dhad to leave the city for a time. As for Triana, she was still on her honeymoon with Gabriel, so hopefully their trip might be extended.
As for Travell, the next few weeks would undoubtedly be long and trying.
Chapter Two
That night at dinner, Alyssa ate her soup in silence as she sat around the gleamingmahogany table with her cousin, James Breyton, BaronLockley, and his wife,Caroline. It wasn’t often that they engaged in conversation, but that was fine with Alyssa, for she didn’t really care to talk.
It was difficult to imagine that she used to run these halls freely as a child, but now, years later, it was as if she was an interloper in her own home. If her father had still been alive, she would have had the chance to grow up here, not that she hadn’t loved being in London with Aunt Pearl, but she’d always had a particular fondness for the country once she’d developed a love of gardening. However, her aunt had ensured that she would have somewhere to grow her flowers, giving herfree reinovertheir modest conservatory.
However, when she’d asked about doing a bit of the same here, her cousin had winced.“I’m afraid that’s impossible, cousin.Carolinehad the conservatory remodeled some years ago and turneditinto a summer sitting room.”
As if the estate didn’t boastenough parlors and receiving areas to suit the baroness, Alyssa had thought uncharitably.
But then,fromthe moment her aunt had died and Alyssa had been forced to turn to them for assistance, the mistress of the house hadn’t looked upon her favorably. Alyssa didn’t know what she’d done to deserve the woman’s ire, other than the fact she didn’t like having another woman in the house to vie for her husband’s attentions. However, she didn’t have to worry on that score, for Alyssa had spoken only a handful of words to James since she had arrived.
“What are your plans for tomorrow, cousin?”
Alyssa glanced up at the baron. While he smiled, it was stiff at best, and she knew that his query wasn’t truly sincere, but rather something polite to say to break up the silence. She also couldn’t help but note the gaze he slid to his wife who didn’t even bother to spare a glance at Alyssa, but drawled, “Oh, I imagine she’ll do more wandering about the grounds. Really, James, I am growing quite concerned for her welfare.”
Alyssa glanced between them, speaking as if she wasn’t even there. Her grip tightened around her spoon,and she said, “I recently suffered a terrible loss. Surely I’m allowed a period of grief.”
Carolinefinally turned her blond head, her blue eyes almost hostile as they lit onAlyssa. “Of course. But you mustn’t let it drag on indefinitely.”
Alyssa pursed her lips, prepared to give the woman a proper set down, but James patted his wife’s hand, his green eyes empathetic and his brown, receding hairline looking even more pronounced in profile when he said, “There, there. You really shouldn’t upset yourself. Alyssa knows what needs to be done.” He lowered his voice and added, “Sheisnearly five and twenty, after all.”
With that, she’dhad enough. Alyssa set aside her spoon androse toher feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a headache. I think I’ll retire early this evening.”
Her cousin murmured something noncommittal, but either way, Alyssa wasn’t about to remain to hear what he’d said. Her anger was too raw to stay and not say something she shouldn’t.
She walked in her bedchamber and closed the door behind her. She leaned against the wood for a time andgazedat her surroundings. It was a rather plain room withwhite walls andhardly any adornmentsto speak of,only the barest essentials—a washstand, wardrobe, and dressing table. There was a privacy screen in one corner with a chamber pot and copper tub,and a small deskhad beenshoved intoanothercorner.
