Even though he could use a change of clothesand a hot bath, hecould do with something to eat, andthe need to see Alyssa overrode all else.But the moment he drew near the open room,he heard the sound of laughter coming from within.
As he turned the corner, hisjawclenched at the sight before him. Alyssa was sitting across from Mr. Lyridon, but it was their shared merriment that fired something deep within Travell. He didn’t want to call it jealousy, for it was closer to rage. After a day filled with nothing but frustration and disappointment, where his only thought was to return to Alyssa, the last thing he needed to come back to was the sight of her flirting with another man.
“This is a rather cozy scene.”
They glanced up as he advanced into the room, where a footman had just set an extra setting for him, served with a mouthwatering fare.“Lord Curdiff.” The barrister stood and bowed politely, and then sat back down as Travell settled himself at the head of the table. “I hope you had a productive day.”
Travell flicked the napkin and settled it over his lap. “Not in the least. Mother is currently in Brighton, and when I paid a call on Lord Fremont, he was conveniently out as well.” He decided to omit the part about Whitehall, for not only was it a delicate matter; it also had no bearing on his father’s current predicament.
Alyssa turned to him, and her green eyes appeared sincere when she said, “I’m sorry, Travell. I know you were hoping for some answers.”
Travell nodded, and then turned to the man on his right. “Did you have any further successwith the earl today?”
“I’m afraid not. He was rather insensible. Although—”He nodded across the table to Alyssa. “We were able to calm him enough for ashort sedan ride about the grounds, but I’ll let her tell you about that.”
Alyssa giggled and began to recount the story. “It was rather humorous. Talon was…”
The rest of her words trailedinto oblivionas Travell unconsciously blocked outher voice. The only thing he could focus on was the fact that, after only a day’s acquaintance, she was on a first name basis with the barrister. He glanced at Mr. Lyridon and had to admit that some ladies might find his easy countenance to be rather pleasing. But was Alyssa immune to his charm?
His gaze shifted back toher, only to find that shewas rather animated as she spoke.With asparkle of enthusiasm in her green eyes,she was absolutely beautiful.
In that moment, Travell realized that what truly bothered him wasn’t the factthey had become friends in his absence, but they’d hadfundoing it.Combined with the constant concern for his father and the day he’d just had, the fact they could sit here and find amusement in anything didn’t settle well with him.
As his anger grew with every passing moment, he found that he couldn’t withstand any more.
His fork clattered to his plate.
***
Alyssa stopped mid-sentence as she glanced at Travell. She had never seen such a dark look on his face, and something told her it didn’t bode well.His palms were flat on the table on either side of him. In truth, he looked like he was about to explode.
Mr. Lyridon must have thought the same, for he lightly cleared his throat and pushed back his chair. “If you’ll excuse me, Lord Curdiff. I think I’ll retire early.” Hepushed tohis feet, and after a brief nod at her, he fled the room.
Once she was alone with Travell, she pushed back her chair as well. “I’m sorry that you had a discouraging day, my lord, but there’s no need to take out your irritations on us. I’ll return tomorrow. Perhaps by then you’ll be in better spirits.”
Shestoodand started to head for the door.
“It appears you and Mr. Lyridon have become rather comfortable with one another.”
Alyssa stopped and slowly turned back to face Travell. His blue eyes were intense as they lit on her, but she refused to be intimidated. Or back down, even if a footman might be in the same room, doing his best to pretend that he wasn’t observing the exchange.
“Are youdrunk?” Shesnorted. “Because if I didn’t know you better, I would think you’re jealous!”
“I’m perfectly sober.” He calmly wiped his mouth on his napkin. “I merely feelirritatedthat while I was driving all over London searching for some insight into my father’s condition, you were here, playing the coquet!”
Her mouth fell open and she took a threatening step forward. Her ire wasn’tmerelypiqued;it was on fire. “Howdareyou! If you had bothered to listen to anything I said, you would have realized that we spent nearly every momentwith the earl, trying to help him. And yet, you would turn our consideration into something twisted and sordid, just because of your inability to confront your own personal demons!” She shook her head. “You have no right to lecture me on the bonds of morality when I know your past is littered with misdeeds.”
This time, she intended to walk out the door without looking back. Even if he called out to her, she would keep on moving. If this is what she must endure at Rosewood from now on, then she would rather remain a prisoner at Breyton Hall, even if it meant sacrificing her Blue Ladies.
She made it halfway down the hallway to the foyer before she was spun around.Travellheld her upper arms in a nearly bruising grip. “I’mnotjealous,” he growled. “Ijustdemand respectin my absence.”
She twisted to free herself, but he held tight. “Then perhaps you should try toearnit,” she shot back hotly. “Nothing untoward happened between me and Mr. Lyridon.”
“Good,” he saidharshly. “Because you’remine.”
The kiss wasn’t unexpected, butthe sheer, brutaldesperationthat followedwas.It stunned her and caused her heart to ache at the same time. She was still upset with him for accusing her of flirting with Mr. Lyridon, but how could she ignore such an unspoken plea for affection?
As she slowly started to kiss him back, he instantly gentled his firm grip. His fingertips brushed the edge of her neckline with gentle caresses and it didn’t take long for her anger to melt away into something more…desirable.
