“Nonshense,” he slurred and waved her forward. “What can I do for you, coushin?”
Alyssa moved forward, but still she hesitatedto speak. She didn’t think she’d ever seen her cousinin such a state, but then, she’d been spending most of her time closed off in her room, or at Rosewood. But since this might be her only opportunity to speak to him without Caroline present, she swallowed and said, “It’s about Lady Lockley. She seems to think I’ve been behaving in an irrational manner.”
He held up a finger. “Ah. I shee. She told me she was consherned.” He peered at her again. “Come closher sho I can get a good look at you.”
Alyssa wasn’t sure how that might make any difference, but she decided to humor him. However, when she drew near, he grabbed her arm and yanked. Caught off balance, she landed in his lap. When he spoke, the scent of brandy on his breath was so strong that she nearly gagged. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re really here, Alyssha?” he crooned. He laid his hand on her leg and she struggled to rise, but he held her tight. “There’sh no need to play coy with me. I promishe you’ll like it.”
“Unhand me!” With a shove, she managed to stumble away from him. When he merely laughed, she glared at him hotly. “You’re nothing but a drunkard!” she gasped.
He saluted her with his glass. “Guilty ash charged, my shweet.” He was still chuckling as he drained the last of the liquid, a small trickle trailing down his chin.
Alyssa’s temper was nearing its limit, so she decided it was best to retreat, rather than say something she shouldn’t. But she couldn’t resist saying, “I can’t believe you bear the title of Lord Lockley. You don’t even deserve to have the surname of Breyton.”
He merely shrugged as she walked out the door.
***
Travell was in the dining room the next morning, reading the latest edition of theTimeswhen Alyssa marched in.When he took note of her tight expressionhe thought he’d done something wrong, but when she collapsed on the chair beside him, it didn’t take him long to realizethatshe wasthere for sanctuary.
He slowly set aside the paper. “Rough morning?”
She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, proper ladylike comportment temporarily abandoned. It reminded him so much of the girl who used to pout when her parents would chastise her, that Travell would have smiled if he didn’t think it would upset her further. “It was more like a rough evening.” She sighed heavily.
He winced. “That bad?”
“Worse. Caroline noted that you were in my company last evening without a chaperone. She is afraid that I will sully the Breyton name by my ‘shameful behavior.’ I suppose it doesn’t matter that we’re practically related, I’ve known you for so long.”
Travell decided it was best not to remind her of just howunrelated they truly were. “I don’t wish to agree with Lady Lockley, but I have to admit she makes a valid point. If we had been caught together in London, your reputation would have been ruined. However, in this instance, I fear I was at fault for insisting on escorting you home.” He paused. “Did you speak to your cousin about this?”
“I tried.” She snorted. “But he was so deep in his cups I doubt he even remembers trying to make an advance on me—”
“What?”
She waved a hand. “Don’t look soangry. It’s not as if I’ve never had to deal with overzealous suitors before.”
“I don’t care.” He gritted his teeth.Angryhonestly didn’t even describe the fury that was about to explode out of his chest. “You are under the baron’s protection, not his mercy.” He shook his head. “I don’t want you to stay there any longer. It’s too dangerous.”
She looked at him obliquely. “Don’t be ridiculous. I have nowhere else to go—”
“My offer still stands.” He didn’t know how many times he had to propose to this woman, but this had to be the third. Or perhaps the fiftieth. He’d honestly lost count at this point.
“You know that’s not possible,” she returned quietly.
“Why?” he challenged. “It would greatly improve your current circumstances—”
“Would it?” she shot back. “Or would I just be trading one prison for another?”
Travell clenched his fist on the hard wood of the table. “I’m glad you regard me so highly.”
She put her hands to her temples. “I don’t mean it that way, Travell, only that—”
Travell would never know what she’d been about to say, for they were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of the barrister. “Lord Curdiff, I—”He broke off midsentence as he addressed Alyssa. “Oh. Good morning, my lady.” He bowed slightly and she offered a murmured reply in return. Mr. Lyridon then turned his attention back to him. “I may have some good news.”
Travell instantly sat up a bit straighter. For the past few days, the other man’s treatments had been for naught. And for someone who had only intended to engage in a brief consultation, he’d ended up staying on at Rosewood for nearly a week. However, Travell wasn’t complaining. In truth, he was grateful that he could share his father’s condition with someone beside Alyssa who had her own burdens to bear.
“What is it, Mr. Lyridon?”
The younger man grinned broadly. “Hehasasked tojoin us for tea this afternoon.”
