Her heart thumped as she threaded her arm through his, and while she did her best to try to hide her inner thoughts, she was quite sure they shone out of her eyes regardless of her best attempts to shutter them.
But when Travell’s blue gaze deepened to the shade of a stormy sea, evidence that he wasstillfullycognizantof what had transpired between them, her breath caught.
When Alyssa glanced behind her to see if their intimate exchange had been observed, she had to withhold a smile when Triana rolled her eyes at Caroline, who was still chattering incessantly. The duke, in turn, looked as though he’d bitten into a ripe persimmon. It was apparent his first impression of her relations was not one of fondness. At least the feeling was mutualon that score.
Travell sat at the head of the table with Chiltern on his right as an honored guest, forcing him to place the baron to his left, along with Caroline. Alyssa took the chair beside Triana, for she certainly wasn’t going to choose to spend the next few coursessitting next toher.
As Triana spread her napkin in her lap, she murmured softly, “It’s no wonder you’ve been spending so much time with my brother if this is what you’re forced to endure on a daily basis.”
Alyssa’s lips twitched, grateful that Lord and Lady Lockley’s presence could give her an appropriate excuse to latch on to, rather than the truth, that she was desperately in love with the viscount.
She lifted her eyes and slid a glance in his direction. Her face warmed instantly when she saw him watching her intently over the rim of his wine glass.
Alyssa quickly returned her gaze to the soup that had been placed before her and tried to concentrate on how to eat.
“Is Lord Trenton not joining us this evening?” Caroline asked brightly. “I had rather hoped to makehis acquaintance at long last.”
Alyssa looked at Travell, whose hand had tightened around his spoon. “I’m afraid not.” Caroline continued to look at him expectantly, but since he offered nothing further, she allowed the matter to drop.
In an aside to Triana, Alyssa murmured, “How wasthe earlfaring this afternoon?”
Triana frowned slightly. “Dr. Perimore, whileit is obvious he isa brilliant man, is unfortunately, not able to perform miracles.” She paused to swallow. “My father didn’t even know who I was. He kept calling me…Sophieand rattledon about being poisoned.”
Alyssa’s heart went out to Triana. It was entirely different when they had conversed, for while she respected Lord Trenton, she wasn’t his own flesh and blood.For Triana to be called the name of her father’s mistress was bad enough without being accused of treachery. “I know it wasn’t the homecoming you were envisioning, but you just have to have faith that the answers you’ve been searching forwill come in time.”
Triana’s blue eyes were misty. “I have truly missed you, Aly.”
Alyssa swallowed past the lump in her throat. “And I, you.”
As they each returned to their meal, Alyssa couldn’t help but glance back at Travell—who was still watching her just as intently as ever.
She shifted her gaze and took a fortifying drink of her wine. She had the feeling she was going to need it.
***
Travell was grateful that, not only had Dr. Perimore chosen to take a tray in his father’s chamber, but also thatGabriel carried most of the conversation at dinner, regaling Lady Lockley with tales of their honeymoon adventures in Italy, mainly due to hercontinued persistence.As the baron drank most of his dinner and added little to the discussion, Caroline hung onthe duke’severy word, and althoughhis brother-in-lawhad glanced toward him several times for assistance,Travellhad happily let him take the lead. Honestly, hewas just glad for the reprieve,asa certain dark-haired, green-eyed woman seated farther down the table sorely distracted him.
He took another sip of his wine as the third course was served. He glanced at Alyssa over the rim and waited for her to notice him. When she did, he smiled, although she quickly glanced away. He knew he should be a bit more covert in his attentions, but when their interlude in the conservatory was still so fresh in his mind, it was hard to concentrate on anything else.
He realized he’d taken a great risk by seducing her in the midst of her prized flowers. If his sister had come upon them, he knew he’d never live down the scandal. But even if Alyssa had been compromised, he was more than willing to marry her.Hadn’t he proven this when he’dalready asked her several times with the same result?While he didn’t want to resort to underhanded means to secure her hand, at the moment he wasn’t sure he was above it.
He closed his eyes temporarily and allowed his fantasies to play out, grateful that he was seated so that no one could visibly see what Alyssa did to him. For that brief moment, he relived themoment when she’d come apart in his arms. While it hadn’t been the first time he’d ever pleasured a woman, itwasthe first time he’d ever gained so much satisfaction from it, walking away without so much as a thought to himself. With her face flushed, her lips parted ever so slightly, the sight had been more erotic than the most practiced courtesan, skilled in the arts of temptation.
He couldn’t wait to repeat the process, already considering how he might get her alone again. It would be more difficult to accomplish now that his sister and her husband were in residence, and likely planning an extended visitsinceTriana knew of their father’s return, but he vowed that he would find a way. The need to seeAlyssareach her completion was suddenly as important as the air in his lungs and the blood in his veins.
He had to have it to survive.
He had to haveher.
“…Lord Curdiff?”
Travell opened his eyes and glanced at Caroline, who was eyeing him curiously. “Forgive me. I fearI was woolgathering.”
She laughed and tossed her head like any other accomplished London flirt. He wasn’t impressed. “I asked if you were well, Lord Curdiff. But I suppose that answers my question.” She took a sip of her wine and licked her lips with a blatant invitation in her gaze. “I hope we weren’t boring you.”
“Not at all,” he returned tolerantly, but said nothing more on the subject, grateful when the last course was served.
“Ooh…”Caroline sighed when the dessert was brought out. “Syllabub is my favorite, Lord Curdiff. How did you know?” She fluttered her lashes at him.
