When Alyssa went down to breakfast the next morning, attired in another dark purple gown, shewas surprised when Caroline didn’t offer some sort of rude quip about her attire. Even James was rather tightlipped, offering her a polite greeting, and then falling silent.
It was the most pleasant meal she’d had sinceher arrival.
When shereachedRosewood with Daisy in tow a brief time later,the maid headed to the kitchens while Alyssafound Travell in the conservatory carefully watering her Blue Ladies. He must have heard her entrance, for he glanced up and smiled. “Good morning, my lady. I thought I’d help you get a head start.”
Her heart warmed. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
“It is what friends are for, is it not?”he returned with a wink.
As Travell returned to thetaskat hand, she couldn’t help but feel that last sentence wasmore ofa double entendre. But then, she’d wondered if she hadn’t insulted him yesterday by calling him a good friend, for his mood had instantly changedand turned rather cold.Howshe might have made an error by paying him a compliment she didn’t know. She justwantedto tell him how much he meant to her without pouring her entire heart out on the floor for him to crush beneath his boot heel.
Her lips twitched. Perhaps that was going a bit far, for Travell had never been so insensitive, unlessshe counted the dayhe was in his cups. Buteven though she hadn’t dealt with another unfortunate episode, it was still difficult for her to express her adoration for him without crossing that invisible boundary. Especially when she didn’t know if he felt the same. Granted, he’d kissed her passionately and asked her to marry him, but lust and affection did notnecessarilymakea marriage.She’d promised herself long ago that she wouldn’t settle for anything less than love.
As she began to meander about the other side of the room, Travell said,“I received word that our mesmerist will be here latertoday.Hestudied the works of Franz Mesmer andHenin de Cuvillers andseemed rather interested in my father’s condition. He’s young,but he’s also anewly appointed barrister, and hebelieves that he can help.”
Alyssa was grateful for the change in subject and she latched on to it with both hands. “That’s wonderful news!Let’s hope he’s right and he can offer us some more insight.” As something occurred to her, she asked curiously, “How did you even know to contact this man?”
He shrugged, continuing to make his way around the room with the watering can. In turn, she slowly moved in the opposite direction, touching a delicate petal or sniffing a full bloom along the way. “He’s the nephew of one of my mother’s friends. I recall her mentioning something about his odd profession, so I suppose it always stuck with me.”
Alyssa bit her lip. “Idohope you’ll permit me to join in on the examination?”
“Of course,” he returned. “It was your idea to contact him, after all.”
She smiled. “I daresay it sounds intriguing.”
Their eyes met and suddenly, their easy conversation drifted into something more. But since neither one of them appeared to want to address thechallenging situation between them, theylet the silence speak what each of them couldn’t. After a time Alyssa broke contact, severing the connection.
Travell finally set the watering can down. “I’ll leave you to do whatever else it is you do in here. I have some things to take care of on the estate, so I’m afraid I’ll miss luncheon. But I toldthecook to prepare you whatever you wished.”
“Thank you. That was very kind of you.”
Alyssa sighed when he left. She hated this sudden formality between them, but considering that it was for the best, she swallowed down her regret and tended to her flowers.
***
Travell hadn’t yet returned by the time Ives announced the arrival of the mesmerist from London. Heapproachedherwhere she sat in the parlor with Daisy,and saidthat he’d sent a footman out to find the viscount but asked her what he should do with the gentleman in the interim.”
“Why don’t you show him into the parlor?” she suggested. “I just finished my tea,butperhaps he’d like some refreshmentsafter his journey.And perhaps a few sandwiches if Cook is amenable?”
The butler bowed. “That’s very considerate of you, my lady.”
Alyssa straightened in her chair and anticipated the man who she prayed, would make a difference in Lord Trenton’s welfare. The earl had remained rather placid for the past couple of days, but after her attack, Travell had no choice but to order his father to remain sedated for his own protection and that of his servants. Alyssa knew it hurt Travell to keep him restrained all the time, which is why she was pinning such hopes on the man about to join her.
“Mr. Talon Lyridon,” the butler announced from the doorway.
Alyssa stood at the sight of the newcomer—and had to catch her mouth from falling open. With brown hair, an easy smile,andstriking silver eyes, hewas quite a remarkable man to look at. He was also quite young, as Travell had mentioned. She imagined he hadn’t been out of university for long. Hestrode forward and paused a few feet from her and offered a bow. “Lady Alyssa?”
She nodded at the unspoken query. “Mr. Lyridon. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Shenodded toward the other girl. “This is my maid, Daisy.” Shewaved her hand to a nearby chair. “Won’t you have a seat?”
“Thank you.”
Once he was settled, she smiled. “Would you care for some tea?”
“Again, thank you.”
After he told her how he preferred it, she handed it to him and then sat back down. “I took the liberty of ordering some additional refreshments. I thought you might be hungry.”
“I appreciate the kind thought, my lady.” He tilted his head and frowned slightly. “I apologize if I misunderstood, but I didn’t realizethere was a mistress atRosewoodas of yet.”
