She walked along the conservatory, sniffing the various petals as she went along,and then giving them a gentle shower from the watering can.
It wasn’tuntil she turned acorner and the doorway came back into view that she jumped. She put a hand to her pounding heart when she saw Travell leaning against the frame. “You startled me,” she said with a light laugh.
“I didn’t mean to,” he returned softly. And thatwas when she noticed he wasn’t smiling.
She frowned in concern. “Are you well?”
He scratched his jaw and shrugged. “I’m not really sure how to answer that,” he murmured as he strode into the room, moving to the other side of the table of flowers that stood between them. Instead of looking at her, he stared intently at a rhododendron. He was silent so long that she wasn’t sure if he was even going to elaborate, but then he blew out a breath and said, “Howisone supposed to feel after contemplating killinghisown father?”
Alyssawasn’t sure she had the right reply to that, but she knew she had to say something, for it was obvious he was torn. “You wouldn’t have killed him.”
This time he did look at her, and the pain she read in his turbulent blue eyes broke her heart. “Are you so confident,then? Because I’m notsocertain.”
She set down the watering can and moved to him. But instead of being empathetic, this time, her tone was firm. “You listen to me, Travell Abernathy.” She poked him in the chest with her finger to make sure he was listening. “I knowyou, a man who has honor and compassion and any number of other good traits that are sadly lacking in so many others. You might have been upset, but Lord Trenton had nothing to fear from you. If he had, we wouldn’t be standing here having this ridiculous conversation.” She poked him a second time. “Youare a decent man. You always have been. You just haven’t had anyoneslapsome sense into you, but I’m not afraid to do so, because Iknow Ihave nothing to fear from you.”
He snatched her hand and yanked hertohim, trapping her against his hard body. “Are you quitepositiveabout that, my lady?”
She gasped, but she knew this was all part of his inner battle. She lifted her chin and dared to meet his gaze. “This moment has nothing to do with fear.”
His nostrils flared, his eyes darkening to a fascinating blue to rival that of her roses. “I daresay you are rather correct on that score.”
Alyssa allowed his kiss. In truth, she wanted it, had been craving it ever since they had parted ways the day before.
He drank of her hungrily, like a man in the desert denied water who was given his firstdrink. His hands roamed over her back, pressing her fully against him. She could feel his erection pressing against her urgently. She moved her hips restlessly and he groaned, finally pulling away and setting her at arm’s length.
He was breathing heavily, his eyes closed, when he said, “You need to go Alyssa.Now. Before that eloquent speech no longer has any meaning.”
Alyssa paused, but then she turned and fled.
***
“Your thoughts seem rather distant this evening, cousin.”
Alyssa glanced up at James’ unspoken queryasthey sat around thediningtable forthe evening meal.
“I hope none of your flowers have died tragically.”
He smirked at his own joke, andCaroline grinned from across the table.
“No. They’re fine,” she returned evenly. “I fear I was just woolgathering about Aunt Pearl.”
Alyssa hated to lie, especially when it was about one of the most important people who had recently been snuffed from her life. But she couldn’t very well tell them the truth, that Travell’s intense kisses had caused her to forget everything of late, including her dearly departed aunt. While her grief was still present, his overwhelming presence, combined with concern for the earl’s welfare, caused her to focus on something other than her own personal misery.
“Heavens,” Caroline huffed as she set down her fork with a clatter. “Must you mope about this house for another month? You act as though she’s the only person who has ever died. It’s a fact of life, Alyssa.” She glared at her black gown. “And I should think it’s time to put away those gloomy weeds you insist on wearing.”
Alyssa stareddirectly back at the horrid woman. Truly, how could anyone be so cruel? “I am allowed three months to mourn the loss of an aunt, but since she was so much more than that, I might extend it.”
“No,” Caroline snapped. “I forbid it. You’re dragging down the entire morale of the servants with your morbid habits. I expect a bit of color tomorrow or—”She shrugged. “You may have to find other family to take you on.”
Alyssa had to relax her hand where it had been clenching her knife. Instead of replying to her, she looked to James for assistance. He’d remained silent throughout the exchange, but he looked a slightly green when she pinned him with her glare. “James?”
He swallowed visibly and glanced at his wife and then straightened his shoulders when he returned his gaze to her. “I’m afraid Caroline is right. Besides, it might improve your overall demeanor.”
Alyssa gritted her teeth. Apparently, no help would be coming from that quarter, but she wasn’t entirely surprised. Her cousin might be the master of the house, but he wasn’t the one who ran things here. “I see.” She slid back her chair, and without another word, climbed the stairs to her room. She was half tempted to slam it shut behind her, but she refrained.
Nevertheless, she uttered a curse when she entered, causing her maid to glance at her in surprise. “I’m sorry, Daisy. I’m just rather overset by Lady Lockleyat the moment.”
Her maid nodded.“The servants talk about what a nasty woman she is, but the baron pays them well, so they endure her mistreatment to keep their position.”
