The servant bowed lightly. “Pardon the intrusion, my lord, but Ives asked me to fetch you. The Duke and Duchess of Chiltern have just arrived.”
Chapter Eighteen
Alyssa had a bit of trepidation as she followed Travell back to the manor, which was nonsensical, of course. Triana had been her dearest friend for more than two decades. And yet, as she walked inside the foyer with Travell, the butterfliesin her stomach were insistent.
However, the instantTravell’s sisterspied Alyssa she rushed over and enveloped her in a firm hug.“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here with Lady Alwan died.”
Tears immediately stung Alyssa’s eyes. “Thank you.” As they pulled apart, she realized now how much she’d truly missed another woman to talk to, one that she could trust. Looking into Triana’s blue eyes, her black hair styled in a becoming chignon on her head, Alyssa realized that while this woman might be a married duchess now, she was still the same dark haired girl she’d run through the woods with.
Triana must have felt the same, for she squeezed Alyssa’s hand and said, “It’s so good to see you. I’m glad you were here when we arrived.” She glancedwarilyat Travell, who was in conversation with the duke. “I hope my brother hasn’t been too unbearable.”
“Not at all,” Alyssa returned. “In fact, we had just returned from a walk to the Roman Ruins.”
This caused the other woman to laugh. “Oh, I haven’t thought of that place in years! It was definitely one of your favorite places.” She tilted her head to the side. “How is it being back at Breyton Hall? Is your cousin a kind man?”
“Everything is fine.” Alyssa attempted to reassure her friend, but Trianalooked at her steadily, havingknown her long enough to know when she was trying to conceal the truth. So, in an effort to turn the subject away from her, she waved a hand. “Enough about me. I want to hear all about your adventures in Italy.”
Alyssa watched as Triana’s facebecame animated as she spoke of the various cafes she’d traveled to, and the marked differences between the continent and England. “Certainly the weather was more improved. It didn’t rain continuously!” As she continued to speak, it was readily apparent that she truly was a happily married woman. Her eyes shone with a continuous twinkle and when she spoke of her husband, her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink.
After a brief recounting, Triana promised her that they would continue their conversation when they could sit down and catch up thoroughly.
She turned to Travell and said, “I was surprised to return and discover that you weren’t in London. I thought nothing could drag you away from the city.”
At this point, Travell rubbed the back of his neck. “Indeed. About that—”
“Perhaps we should retire to the parlor?” Alyssa suggested.
Travell looked at her gratefully. “Yes. I think that would be best.”
Triana glanced between them and narrowed her blue eyes suspiciously. She had always been rather keen on ferreting out secrets. “Am I missing something?”
Alyssa walked over and threaded her arm through hers. “Dearest, I really think you should sit down.”
Half an hour later, Triana was sitting rather silently, her husband’s arm around her waist for support, while Alyssa and Travell sat across from the newly married couple and did their best to ease the shock of the earl’s return, and his current condition.
Finally, Triana’s blue eyes beseeched her brother’s. “Does…Mama know?”
“Not yet.” Travell released a heavy breath and Alyssa ached to comfort him, but other than a light hand on his arm, she dared not offer anything further, for something more would suggest a closer acquaintance. “I’ve left word at Abernathy House, but you know as well as I do that our mother doesn’t appear with a simple summons. She will be along in due time.”
“Indeed.” Triana obviously couldn’t disagree, for she changed the subject, asking, “Could I speak with this…mesmerist? I should like to hear his opinion.”
“Of course.” Travell rang for the butler, and when Ives appeared, he said, “Please send for Dr. Perimore.”
“Yes, my lord.”
In the silence that followed, Triana stared at the clasped hands in her lap, and then lifted her gaze to Travell. “I can’t believe that you’ve been dealing with all of this on your own.”
“But I haven’tbeen alone,” he countered, shooting Alyssa a look that warmed her midsection. “Alyssa has been a great help toFather.” He paused with a slight lift of his lips. “And to me.” He turned back to his sister. “She’s been here nearly every day to check on us.”
“I see.”
Alyssa knew that tone and her gaze quickly shifted to Triana, who was watching her with a rather knowing expression. “My Blue Ladies are here,” she rushed to add, and even added Travell’s title for further confirmation that they were still only friends. “Lord Curdiff was kind enough to allow me to use the conservatory at Rosewood, now that Caroline has remodeled the one at Breyton Hall.”
It was enough for the gleam in Triana’s eyes to dim to a sympathetic sparkle. “I know it musthave been difficult for you to leave London.”
Alyssa shrugged. While she was thankful that the focus had been turned from her and Travell, she wasn’t entirely comfortable with this line of questioning either. “It was, but it’s not as if I could stay there as an unmarried woman without a proper chaperone.”
“Do you know what you intend to do with the townhouse?” Triana asked.
