“I didn’t.”
She appeared rather put out by his direct reply, but she didn’t allow it to dampen her spirits for long. Instead, she took a sip of the frothy drink and slowly licked the cream from her lips. “Delicious,” she murmured.
It was all Travell could do not to roll his eyes. Instead, he glanced toward Triana to see that she was staring at Lady Lockley with obvious disdain, while Alyssa merely contemplated her dessert with a light frown as she stirred the contents in her glass.
It was about time this meal came to an end.
He set aside his napkin and said, “I daresay I’m too full to eat another bite.”
“Indeed,”his sister agreed, rising from her chair, as if she’d been waiting for him to speak up. “Shall we retire to the parlor, ladies, and leave the gentlemen to their port?” She pointedly directed her question at Caroline,who reluctantly rose with a stiff smile.
As the trio departed, Gabriel leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “Well, that was…interesting.” He slid a dry glance at Travell. “You might have jumped in and saved me from droning on.”
Travell snorted in reply. “And deny you the appreciation of hearing your own voice? I wouldn’t dream of interfering.”
He thought he heard the duke murmur something rather crude in reply, but the baron spoke up at the same time. “I hope my coushin hashn’t been too much o’ a bother, my lord.”
He turned to Lord Lockley and tapped his finger on the table. Travell had never had much use for men who couldn’t hold their drink. He still cringed, thinking of the day he’d overindulged and make a complete fool of himself in front of Alyssa.He’d only allowed alcohol to rule his common sense a handful of times,the most recent while at Rosewood,where heregrettedhis actions immediately afterward. Now, he made sure to limit his intake, no matter how much he wished to drown his personal sorrows. But apparently, the baron didn’t have such qualms when it came to imbibing.
“On the contrary,” he returned evenly,“Lady Alyssa has been wonderful company for my father.”
“And for you as well, I’m shurrre.” He chuckled.
The double meaning wasn’t lost on Travell,and he didn’t appreciate it. “I hope you aren’t trying to insinuatethatsomething untoward has occurred between us, Lord Lockley.” Hechose to ignorethe fact that they had justhada secret rendezvous in the conservatory, but even then she hadn’t been the one toinitiate the affair. “I shouldn’t want the lady’s nameinjuredby unfounded rumors.”
“What other conclushun could there be to shpend so much time in your company?” The baron shook his head. “Flowersh?” he added in bemusement. “Who would believe that?”
Travell clenched his fist and did his best to keep control of his growing irritation with the man, but it was difficult to do in the face ofthatsmirk. “I hope you aren’t suggesting that you besmirch your own cousin’shonor. That would merely reflect poorly on the Breyton name.”
Instead of feeling threatened, the baron only snorted. “As if that makes any difference to me,” he spat. “My darling wife has already make me a laughingshtock with her peccadilloes. She doesn’t even try to keep her affairsha shecretanymore.”
Gabriel had remained as a silent observer until now, but at this he spoke up. “It sounds as if you need to work on your marriage, rather than concern yourself with ruining your cousin’s reputation.”
“Mycoushinwill not be my problem much longer.” Lord Lockley’s bloodshot eyes pinned Travell with a glare. “After she pushed me down the shtairsh, I made shure of it.”
Travell was nearly at the end of hispatience. “The way I understand it,” he said slowly. “You were drunk and fell down the stairs. And considered how soused you are right now, I am inclined to believe it.” He frowned darkly. “And what do you mean that she won’t be yourproblem?” He could hardly grit the words out. He hadn’t been fond of the baron and his wife from the moment they called Alyssa ‘Little Mouse,’ but his respect for the man at this point was practically nonexistent.
“You’ll find out shoon enough.”He sneered.
Travell stood. “I think it’s time you returned to Breyton Hall, Lord Lockley. You have overstayed your welcome at Rosewood.”
***
Alyssa had never felt so awkward. As she sat in the parlor with Triana and Caroline, it was obvious that they had little to say to one another. Without a gentleman to flirt with, Caroline didn’t appear inclined to chat about the weatheror fashion, so they merely glanced about the room in odd silence.
When Travell stepped through the door, Caroline instantly brightened, but herapparentrelief was short lived, for she frowned lightly. “Where is James?”
“He’s in the carriage, as he has chosen to retire early. And since I’m sure youshouldn’t wish to keep him waiting, I suggest you return to Breyton Hall with him.”
Caroline’s mouth opened and closed several times, giving her the appearance of a fish out of water, but since she had no choice but to comply, sherose fromher seat inthe plush chair. However, instead of leaving immediately, she turned to Alyssa. “It appears we have overstayed our welcome.”
“Lady Alyssa will not be returning with you,” Travell said firmly. “Please have her things sent over. She is now a guest at Rosewood.”
“But—”Caroline’s lips thinned, and she shuffled her feet as thoughwantingto stamp her foot in annoyance. “It wouldn’t be seemly.”
Travell’s eyes glittered. “She has her maid to attend her, as well as the chaperonage of a duchess, which is more than she has at Breyton Hall. “In fact—”He took a step toward Caroline. “The way I understand it, if there is any blemish on your household, it is not due to anything thatLady Alyssahas done.” He lifted a brow as he pinned Caroline to the spot. “Do I make myself clear?”
Carolineswallowed hard. “Yes, my lord.”
