“Lord Trenton, can you hear me?”
Travell turned back to Alyssa who had taken a seat on the edge of the bed.
The earl turned his wild eyes to her and spat, “What is the meaning of this, Sophie?”
The hairs on the back of Travell’s neck stood on end. It was the first time his father had spoken the servant’s name since the day he’d claimed she was a spy. While Travell had reached out to his fellow agent, Logan Montgomery,to lookdeeperinto the matter of the errant maid who had seduced the earl away from his family, other than a short acquiescence, as yet, nothing further had been forthcoming.But just like his father’s eventual recovery, he had faith that Logan would come through for him.
“Where are you and Sophie now, Lord Trenton?”
Dr. Perimore’s soothing voice draggedTravel back to the present. He watched carefully as the mesmerist entered the conversation. It hadn’t taken long for Travell to realize that the man was just as adept at his craft as Mr. Lyridon had been, even if his father had suffered a temporary setback. Even then, it was obvious that each session improved his father’s reality. This minor defeat was only because they were delving further into his psyche, where the mystery of the past seven years could finally be resolved.
“You know damned well where I am!”Lord Trenton roared, struggling against his bonds once more.“Release me this instant!”
Alyssa reached out and laid a gentle hand on his chest. “My lord, you must calm yourself.”
“Why?” he snapped. “So you can poison me again? Keep me trapped in this…placeuntil it suits your whim to let me go?”
Travellglanced away. Each time his father demanded freedom was another knife shoved into his chest. The feeling of betrayal pulsed through his veins with every beat of his heart.
“Why is it so important for you to leave Rosewood?” Dr. Perimore asked.
“LeaveRosewood?” The earl blinked rapidly. “You damned fool! You know I’m doing my best to getbackthere!”
***
Alyssa looked over at Travell who had frozen in place. She turned to Dr. Perimore and murmured, “As much as I hate to say it, I think a bit of laudanum may be in order to keep him settled so that he can rest.”
The mesmerist’s expression turned grim. “I think you may be right, my lady.”
Shestood upas he reluctantly reached for the brown bottle on the side table. As he tended to the earl, Alyssa took Travell’s arm and gently led him out into the hallway. She quietly shut the door behind her and then looked at him in concern. His lack of color worried her, but aftera moment, he didn’t appear quite so white.
However, when he spoke, his voice was strained. “All this time I imagined that he left us. It never occurred to me to think he was…taken against his will.” He turned away and gripped the newel post of the staircase.
It wasn’t until he bowed his head, as if the weight of the world rested solely on his shoulders,that Alyssa went to him. It pained her to see him so tormented. She rested her head against his arm and whispered, “Is there anything I can do?”
“You’re already doing it by being here.” He turned to face her, wrapping her within the circle of his arms. He rested his chin on her head with a heavy sigh, his breath stirring her hair. “Promise me that you won’t stay away so long again.”
Her heart wrenched in her chest. “I promise.”
“Then that’s all I need.”
Alyssa didn’t want to imagine that she was finally getting through to him, that she was able to find away past the walls he didn’t even realize he’d built around himself. But his words gave her cause to hope.
As the door opened and Dr. Perimore joined them, Travell slowly released her. “The earl is sleeping now.”
Travell nodded. “It’s for the best. Thank you.”
The older man nodded as he headed downstairs. Once he was gone, Travell turned to her. He lifted his hand and brushed his fingers lightly down the side of her cheek. Alyssa’s breath halted, for this touch wasn’t one of lust, but caring, and that meant more to her than anything else.
As he let his arm drop back to his side, he said, “I imagine you’d like to tend to your roses now.”
He appeared so morose that she shookher head. “Actually, I thought wemighttake a walk. Perhaps return to the ruins?”
That made him smile. “Feeling adventurous today?”
She shrugged. “Not really. Just…content. With you,”she dared to add.
He offered her his arm. “In that case, I wouldn’t dream of disappointing such a gracious lady as yourself.”
