As her maid helped her out of her wet gown, Alyssa couldn’t help but think that it was rather ironic that she should enjoy the company of a maniacal earl to that lucid woman.
***
Alyssa considered making her way to Rosewood the next morning, eager to check on how the earl was faring, but also, if she was being completely honest with herself, to see Travell. But she refrained. She didn’t want to make a nuisance of herself, so she went riding instead.
She had her own mare that she’d brought from London, a gift from her Aunt Pearl on her eighteenth birthday to celebrate her debut. She was a lovely, docile chestnut that she’d namedPosy,because her aunt had so lovedflowers.
Wearing herblackvelvet riding habit,for the morose color was all she worethese dayswhile in mourning,Alyssa set out even though the clouds looked thick with moisture yet again. Instead of being drawn toward Rosewood, she headed the opposite direction toward theVillage of Basildon.While she didn’t require anything, the need to be around other people was like a tangible requirement. She’d lived in London for most of her life, so the solitude of being back here, not to mention the ghosts that went along with it, was rather disheartening.
Alyssa rode among the main thoroughfare of the village, nodding a greeting to thosewhowaved at her. At another time she might have stopped and perused the shops showcasing their wares, but it was the sight of the modest stone churchwith its bell tower that caught her attention.Alyssarode toward it, dismounting and tying up her mare to a nearby tree so that she might munch on some grass, asshemade her way inside.
At first glance it appeared to be empty, but as she was removing her gloves,glancing about the stone interior with its stained glass windows and wooden pews,a man appearedfromaround the pulpit. “Good day, miss.” He walked forward and said, “I’m Mr. JosiahAdams, the vicar of Basildon.You caught me working on this Sunday’s sermon.”
He was a middle-aged gentleman with a kind smile and Alyssa found herself at ease, so she offered her name in return. “Lady Alyssa Breyton.”
“Ah. From Breyton Hall.” At her nod, he said, “I heard of your recent loss, my lady. I’m very sorry for it, but as long as your relation’s heart was right with the Lord, she will have eternal life.”
“She was a wonderful lady,” Alyssareturned. In truth, she wasn’t exactly sure of her aunt’s faith, but she had always treated her with nothing but kindness, so she couldn’tbelievethat she might be anywhere other than heavensingingwith the angels.
“Would you like for me to pray with you?” heoffered.
She shook her head. “That’s very kind, but I was hoping to have a few moments of personal reflection.”
“Of course. Take all the time you need. I’ll afford you some privacy.” With a brief bow, he left the sanctuary.
Alyssa slid into one of the wooden benches and clasped her hands in her lap. Silence followed his departure, but it was an almost peaceful calm. “I haven’t done this in a while,” she murmuredto the empty space. “I used to attend church when my parents were alive, and I’ve been baptized, but I’m not sure that I’ve put much of my faith into practice since then.” She sighed. “I’ve tried to be a good person, but is that enough to gain entrance through the pearly gates?” She stared at the image of Jesus on the cross hanging at the front of the chapel. “I do pray that Aunt Pearl is happy, wherever she is. But I daresay her loss has been devastating for me. I feel like a ship upon the seas, tossed about without her guidance.”Shewaited, as if he might actually reply to her. “I suppose it’s silly to expect an answer, but I’m grateful if you’re actually listening.”
Alyssa heard the door open behind her and assumed that the vicar had returned. Shearose, prepared to leave, but stopped when she saw the figure standing at the entrance to the church. “Travell,” she breathed. She probably should have addressed him by his title, butthe shock of seeing him there caused his name to tumble from her lips.
“Lady Alyssa,” he returned. He shoved his hands in his pockets and chuckled lightly. “I see I’m not the only one looking for divine answers this morning.”
“No. You’re not.” She smiled.After a brief pause, she asked,“How is Lord Trenton today?”
His expression fell. “He had a…rough night.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.” And she meantthe wordswith all of her heart. The last thing she wanted was for his father to suffer, and for Travell to be miserable because of it. “If there’s anything I can do—”
He shoved a hand through his hair. “Would you mind coming back to Rosewood with me? He was sleeping when I left, but you…calmed him yesterday. Something me or the servants have yet to accomplish, and I detest plying him with laudanum all the time just to ease his anxiety.”
She moved forward and reached out to take his hand. “I would be honored.”
With his blue eyes focused intently on her, she certainly hadn’t prepared herself for what he said next. “Marry me?”
***
Travell wasn’t sure whathadpossessed him to blurtsuch a thing. Perhaps it was the way Alyssa’s green eyeshadlooked at him with such genuine compassion, or if he just wanted to save each of them from their current torment, but the wordsfellout without warning. They seemed to hang in the air likea thick fog, surrounding them, but there was no wayto dispense withit now even if he wanted to.
But instead of appearing insulted,or flattered,shelaughed it off as if he were teasing.“You haven’t changed a bit.” She squeezed his hand. “ButI appreciate thesentiment,nonetheless. It certainly brightened my day.”
Instead of accepting her graciousrefusal, as he should have done, Travell opened his mouth again. “I daresay my conservatory could use a gentle hand. It’s been neglected for far too long.”
She tilted her head, her lips twitching with amusement. “So you’re asking me to marry you to tend to your flowers?”
“Yes.No.” He pinched the bridge of his noseand muttered,“I fear I’mnot very good at this. I’ve never asked anyone tobe my wifebefore.” He took her other hand and held them close to his chest. “It would only be a marriage in name only, if that’s what you wished. I have no desire to beget heirs if there is a chance they could inherit father’s current malady. And since I spend most of my time in London, I know you would be contentthere, as it’s what you’re used to as well. Say you’ll at least consider my proposal.”
She blinked and then abruptly paled. “Wait. You’re not…serious?” She pulled her hands away and steppedback. “I hate to say this, my lord, but I fear your father’s condition has rattled your brain—”
“On the contrary, I’venever seen things more clearly.” The more he thought about it,the moreTravell steadily warmed to the idea. And it wasn’t as if he hadn’t notedher charms over the years.He’d just always regarded her as Triana’s best friend, a womanwhowas off limits. But she would have to wed someday, so why shouldn’t it be to him?While he had sworn off marriage before, he knew that Alyssa wasnot onlysomeonewhocouldtakehis current dilemma in stride, but he could also trust her with his work for the Home Office.He nodded. “It’s all rather logical when put in the right perspective.”
