“You’re too kind, Lord Curdiff. Or should I saySir Dashing?” she teased.
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him as he laughed, the sound so rich and deep it vibrated all the way to her toes.
In spite of all the recent upset—her aunt’s sudden death and Lord Trenton’s shocking resurgence—Alyssa found that she had never been happier than in that moment.
***
After five days of continual rain, as Travell stepped outside with Alyssa at his side, the sun began to shine. It was like a positive omen that good things were on the horizon.Good God, Ireally amstarting to sound like a poet. He winced inwardly at the thought, but at the same time, if spouting sonnets would keep Alyssa from staying away so long again, he might not be above quoting Byron.
Damn, but he’d missed her. It was strange that he could go weeks without setting eyes on her in London, but he always knew that she wasthereand that gave him some semblance of peace. While he should feel the same relief that she was at a neighboring estate, he also knew the sort of people that she was surrounding herself with and that didn’t set well with him. He didn’t care for the way Caroline treated her. That nonsense about‘Little Mouse’still madehim itch tocall out the baron for allowing such crass behavior to continue in his household. He still might, just for the simple fact he kept making unwanted advances at Alyssa.
He expelled a heavy breath, releasing the tension in his chest. Again, he reminded himself that it wasn’t his place to interfere. He might chafe at the fact Alyssa continually allowed herself to be subjected to her cousin’s conduct rather than wedhim, but that was her choice. She’d declined his offer more than once and he wouldn’t do her the dishonor of pressuring her to accept his hand. If going to America would make her happy, then he would do everything in his power to ensure that was what happened. He wouldn’t be selfish inhis desire to keep herin England, just to bear witness to her marrying another man in due course. He’d rather that she was far away, where he didn’t have to watch her become a mother and raise a family that he would always imagine could have been his.
“That’s a rather dark frown you’re wearing, Lord Curdiff. Is there something else troubling you?”
Yes.“No.” He shook his head and patted Alyssa’s hand like the friend she had decided that was all he’d ever be. And since he felt the need to give some sort of explanation for his temporary upset, he said, “Iwanted to tell you that Ienlisted the help of an acquaintance in London to help me find Sophie.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Has he found anything?”
“Not yet, but I have every confidence that he will come through. He has certain…abilities in finding peoplewhodon’t want to be found.”
He had to be careful when it came to speaking about anything regarding his work for the Home Office, for when it came to delicate matters that involved the safety of the country everything was at risk, especially a fellow agent. While he had every confidence that he could trust Alyssa with his secrets, he didn’t want to put her in a position to worry about him even more, or put herself in danger where her knowledge could be used against him.
“I am certain you chose the best,” she noted.
He didn’t reply as they crested the top of the hill and the Roman Ruinswere on bold display before them.“What shall we imagine today, my lady?”
She smiled. “You know, I didn’t always act out my Medieval fantasies when I came here.” She disengaged herself from him and sat down on one of the boulders. “I used tojust sit by myselfand think.” She glanced out across the expanse beyond the estate grounds. “It was always so quiet and serene. It helped to clear my head.”
“Ah.” He sat down next to her. “So that’s why you brought me here, to ease my turbulent thoughts?”
“No,”shesaid,surprisinghim. She turned to him then, her green eyes shining, reflectedlike emeralds in the sunlight. “I wanted to bring you to where I was the happiest.”
He watched her closely. “Then surely we should be in the conservatory?”
“No.” She glanced down and rubbed her hand along the stone beneath her. “These ruins were my sanctuary in times of trial.” A crease appeared between her brows, a few delicate wisps of dark hair escaping her bonnet to caress the area near the tempting mouth that had haunted him for countless days and endless nights. “Do you know that after my father died, the first place I came to for comfort was right here?”
“You are welcome here anytime,” he murmured.
“It’s strange, but when I returned to Breyton Hall after Aunt Pearl’s death, I had nearly forgotten about this place.” She returned her gaze to him. “But after that day you brought me here, it was as if…all those years of feeling alone weresuddenly gone.”
It was his turn to frown. “You’ve never been alone, Alyssa.”
“Haven’t I?” She smiled with a tinge of sadness. “I’m an orphan who just lost the last member of my family that was special to me. And while Triana and I are great friends, she is a married duchess now.” She sighed heavily. “I feel as though I’m the last woman standing.”
Travell studied her closely and then reached out and held her chin in place with his finger. “You have never been anything less than perfect in my eyes.” He rubbed the tip of his thumb across her lower lip. “And you know all you have to do is say the word and I’ll procure a special license this very afternoon.”
A sparkle of moisture glinted in her gaze. “You would save me from the barren life of spinsterhood?”
He swallowed heavily. “You know I will. Haven’t I said as much so many times?”
She smiled, and then said,“Kiss me, Travell.”
She didn’t have to ask him twice. He’d been dreaming ofthemomentwhen she asked for his touch.
He slowly lowered his head to hers, his eyes drifting shut…
The sound of a man clearing his throat made Alyssa turn her head to the side. Travell cursed under his breath as he faced the speaker, which was one of his footmen. “What is it?”
