This got Alyssa’s attention. “Did he say what for?”
“No.” The maid reached into her pocket and withdrew a note and handed the sealed missive to her. “But he said to give you this.”
Alyssa’s hand shook as she took it andbroke the seal where she read Travell’s neat, masculine handwriting;
I regret that I hadto leave so abruptly to meet with my contactin the city. I will return this evening, where I pray I shall find you in good health.
Your servant,
—Curdiff
Alyssa turned the paper over with a frown, but there was nothing written on the other side. No flowery words of poetry, just a brief, impersonal note that one might send to a casual acquaintance. Some of her earlier happiness deflated, but then, she hadn’teverreally known Travell to offer any sort of prose. He’d always been rather practical, even if she thought after what they hadshared;he might have closed with more than just his title.
Since her maid was still in the room, she refolded the note and set it on the bedside table. “Thank you, Daisy.” She finished off her tea and the last of her scone and set the tray aside. “I should like a bath before I head downstairs.”
“Of course, my lady.”
As Daisy left to attend to her duties, Alyssa threw back the covers to see a slight smear of blood on the white linen. Now how might she explain that to her maid when her courses weren’t yet due?
Alyssacould feel her cheeks warm, but she refused to let anything mar her current joy. While she was disappointed that Travell hadn’t come to her personally, she knew that he had someone looking into Sophie’s whereabouts. She hoped that he received good news this time, but she also rather hoped that when he returned, he would ask for her hand again. Before, she’d refused him, but he would receive a decidedly different answer next time.
With a smile on her face, she hugged herself and prepared for the day.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Travell waited rather impatiently at the entrance to the British Museum, where he was supposed to meet with his fellow agent. As usual, Logan was running behind. Either that, orTravellwas just anxious to have this meeting over with so he could return to Rosewood. And Alyssa.
While he’d managed to gain a few hours of sleep before business had forced him out of his bed, Travell’s mind had been swiftly filled with images of Alyssa ever since. From the way she’d arched her back as they’d made love, to the way her dark hair spread across the white sheets, and the sparkle of mischief that had finally returned to those beautiful green eyes, there was little about her that didn’t fascinate him. Every single inch of her was perfection,and he couldn’t wait to return to her side.
At least he’d already accomplished one thing he’d set out to do that morning, and that was procure a special license.No matter how long he had to wait for Alyssa to finally agree to be his wife, he intended to see both of their signatures on the document.With that comforting item in his jacket pocket, he’d then made his way here, where Logan’s missive had reached him before he’d left Rosewood. Although he didn’t care to be detained in London any longer than necessary, ifLoganhadnews of Sophie thatmight help his father, he was more than willing to listen.
A hackney stopped in front of the building,and Travell watched as a tall man with coal black hair stepped out of the hired conveyance. Logan Montgomery was an enigma to most, with a past that very few knew about, includingTravell. But he had known even fewer men who were as loyal or honorable. Travell wouldn’t hesitate to entrust his life to Logan at a moment’s notice.
Logan greeted him at the top of the steps with an informal handshake, his ice blue eyes assessing. “Good to see you again, Curdiff.”
Travell inclined his head. “Indeed, and the same to you. Although, I daresay I’m curious as to why you wished to meet here. Unless, of course, you merely wanted to have an afternoon excursion to peruse the Rosetta Stone or Captain Cook’s collection.”
Logan’s mouth kicked up at one corner. “Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, Curdiff. You’ll find out soon enough why I asked you to meet me here.”
Travell extended his arm. “Lead the way, Mr. Montgomery.”
After they passed over their tickets for entry, Travell walked through the hallowed halls of the former Montagu House, a space that had been transformed to hold some of the finest antiquities of the world. As additional shipments continued to arrive, plans had already been put into place to expand the museum. Travell was one of the men who had been approached to sponsor the renovation, to which he’d gladly contributed. History was very important to him, as it was part of his heritage as an English lord.
As they meandered through the various exhibits, appearing to marvel at the items on display like any of the other visitors, it wasn’t until they reached the Egyptianroomthat Logan paused. “A wonderful view, is it not?” he murmured.
Puzzled by his choice of words, Travell glanced about the area. At first, he found nothing unusual of interest, but then, in the corner of the room, he spied two womenin bonnetschatting about a specific work of art. They had their backs to them, but when one of the ladies turned her head and caught the attention of the other, revealing the profile of their faces, a niggling sensation crawled up the back of Travell’s spine. There was something vaguely familiar about the second woman…
His jaw slackened as recognition jolted through him like a bolt of lightning. He started to walk toward her, making it halfway across the room before she turned her head and spied him. It took her only a split second to make the connection, but when she did, her face drained of all color and she grasped the sleeve of her companion’s arm.
But it was too late. Travell was upon them and he wasn’t about to let her leave his sight until he found out what he wanted to know.
“Good afternoon,Sophie.”
***
Lady Fremontgottoher feet the moment herdaughterwas shown into the parlor. “It’s about time,” she snapped. “I sent word to youhours ago!”
Caroline’s mouth pursed tightly. “Don’t get angry with me just because you demand that I clean up your mess!” She sank down on the settee across from her mother and buried her face in her hands.
