***
Travell sat in the carriage and frowned at the passing scenery. His first stop in London had been for naught for when he arrived at the Abernathy townhouse in search ofhis mother. He was told that she had returned from the house party, only to hie off to Brighton without a single word. While he was used to his mother’s tendencies to travel when the mood struck her, her timinghad never been quite so irritating. But then, she had no idea that his life had been turned upside down.
In spite of his annoyance, Travell left a missive with the butlerstatingthat when she returned, he expected her to call at Rosewood immediately. He considered sending a message directly to her, but she might as well enjoy her freedom while it lasted, for once she realized her husband had returned, the fun would undoubtedly end.
His next stop took him to Whitehall where he found another dead end in speaking with Lord Liverpool, who was on holiday. He’d hoped togain an audiencewith the Prime Minister regarding his current absence from the Home Office and explain the situationhewas faced with, but since he was left with no choice but to offer a brief explanationand leave itwith the man’s secretary, he headed for his final destination—the home of Lord Fremont.
His fist clenched on his thigh,as he wonderedwhat it was he might even say when he arrived.Pardon my interruption, but is it true that my mother was having an affair with you? And could that be the reason my father is mad?
If he started the conversation like that, no doubt they would think he was the one who was insane.
However, in all honesty, he could understand how a single person could eclipse one’s world and change their entire way of thinking. Alyssa had always been a part of his life, butnotuntil this past week, during his lowest hours, did he realize how much she actually meant to him.She was quickly starting to become the voice in his head that he didn’t think he was missing. When he’d wondered if his father’s mind wasn’t going to slowly make him lose his own, he’d heard her say to be patient. He’d feel her hand lightly touch his arm and tell him that things would get better with time. She gave him hope in the midst of a storm, and for that, he would always be grateful.
He closed his eyes for a moment, bringing her face to mind, so that those sparkling, green eyes, filled with the mirth could give him the courage he needed to see this last visit through to the end.
As the carriage finally stopped in front of an affluent townhouse in Mayfair, he walked up the steps and used the knocker, rapping it sharply three times. It wasn’t long before a long-faced butler answered the door. He barely even spared him a glance as he said, “May I assist you, sir?”
“Yes.” Travell held out his card, which the servant accepted rather reluctantly. “Please inform your master that the Viscount of Curdiff would like to request an audience with him. It is of the upmost urgency.”
The butler actually sniffed. “I’m afraid that’s quite impossible. Lord Fremont isindisposed.”
Travell sighed. He wanted to slam his headinto a brick wall, for this would be his third wicket down on a useless trip to the city. He was starting to wonder if“good luck”was actually something he possessed any more.
“Lady Fremont is in. Shall I give her your card?”
He wavered for a moment, and then shook his head. There was a good chance she didn’t know of her husband’s affair, and he didn’t wish to upset the lady over conjectures that he had yet to confirm. “I fear my business is with the marquess. Just let him know I stopped by.”
The butler bowed and shut the door as Travell took his leave. He threw his hat on the seat beside him in the carriage and instructed his driver to return home to Rosewood.
He frowned slightly. It was strange how, such a short time ago, he’d imaged Abernathy House as home, and yet, since he knew Alyssa would be there, waiting for his return, he couldn’t help but anticipate their reunion.
***
“Who was at the door, Stuart?”
The Fremont butler paused at the parlor entrance where his mistress was taking her afternoon tea. “A caller for the marquess, my lady.”
She frowned. “Did he leave a card?”
“Yes, my lady.” He strode forward and handed her the simple white calling card.
As she read the name, all the blood receded from her face. “Bring the carriage around at once!” she instructed.
The servant bowed and did as he was bid, while Lady Fremont continued to stare at the name on the card.Travell Abernathy, Viscount Curdiff.
Dear God, she hadn’t heard the name Abernathy in years, praying that she never would again. Her heart began to race, wondering why now, after all these years, she might be cursed once more to suffer such a fate.
Her hand trembled as she stood and tossed the card into the fire. The Bible had claimed thatone’ssins wouldseeka personout. Shehadjust never thought the same would be true for her. She cursed inwardly, sure that she had destroyed any evidence of her wrongdoings, butit appeared she was mistaken.
The question now was how to proceed?
She paced back and forth, her skirts swishing with her movements.No onemust ever know what had transpired so long ago. Andtheywouldn’t. Unless, Lord Curdiff decided to pay another call…
She blew out a heavy breath, anxious for Stuart to return. When he did, she gathered her cloak and bonnet and rushed out the door.
***
Weary from a day’s worth of travel, Travell walked in the front door at dark, expecting to be greeted by the woman who had held his focus during the entire journey. However, when Ives told him that she was in the dining room taking supper with Mr. Lyridon, he merely asked for another setting to be added as he headed in that direction.
