Without any other reason than that, shegrabbed his jacket lapelsand kissed him soundly on the lips, heedless if they were being observed or not.
When she pulled away, her heart thumped when she saw his eyes had darkened to the color of a stormy sea. “I can’t wait to revisit your gratitude in private,” he murmured. “But I’m afraid I have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment.”
He set her on her feet and turned his attention to Caroline and Lady Fremont, his expression changing from desire to something infinitely more dangerous. Alyssa noticed that they weren’t alone, as a tall, black-haired man with ice blue eyes stood next to them. She thought of her correspondence with Isabellaaboutherfriend’sadventuresin France,and, according to her description of Logan Montgomery, she surmised that this had to be him. He was certainly intimidating enough.
However, even Logan didn’t stop Lady Fremont from stepping forward and demanding, “What is the meaning of this, Lord Curdiff?”
“I’m surprised you don’t already know,” he returned evenly, although his entire body tensed.
“All I see is that you are interfering with a delicate matter.” She pointed to her daughter. “My dear Caroline has expressed her concern about Lady Alyssa’ behavior,and James has agreed that something must be done.”
Alyssa saw her glance around for the baron, but when she heard a soft snore come from inside the carriage, it was obvious that he’d passed out once more.
“Lord Lockley no longer has any say when it comes to hiscousin, for Lady Alyssa is mybetrothed.”
Alyssa’s heart thumped, but it wasn’t due to anything other than pure admiration. Travell was hereand thatwas enough for her.
***
Travell watched as shock lit Lady Fremont’s eyes, but then it dissipated just as quickly. However, when she would have opened her mouth to speak, he took another step toward her. “I think if anyone needs to walk through those doors—”He pointed toward the entrance of the hospital. “—it should be you.” He advancedcloser. “You left my father here to rot because of a grudge you had against my mother. Rest assured, Iwillhave retribution for that.” He stopped directly before her. “It’s over, Lady Fremont. The devil has come to collect his due.”
As if on cue, the door to the asylum opened and light from a lantern spilled out into the yard as twomen in white strode forward.As theyapproached,eachgrasped oneof Lady Fremont’s arms.
Travell’s mouth lifted inthe corners. “Since we arrived a bit early, Dr. Montgomery and I took it upon ourselves to express our own concern about your erratic behavior, and along withthe maidSophie’s written account. I’m afraid it was allfound to be quite disturbing.This is to beyournew home once your daughter signs the admission papers.”
Caroline gasped, but it was Lady Fremont who answered. “She won’t do it! She wouldn’t dare betray me!”
Travell lifted a brow. “You don’t think so?” He shifted his gaze to Lady Lockley. “I’m sure there’s plenty of room for the baroness if she doesn’t agree.” He crossed his arms, and played his final card. While he didn’t yet know all the details, he couldonly guess what had happened to Lady Fremont’s husband.“Why don’tyoutell me what happened tothe marquess?”He shrugged. “Or perhaps I will just ask Sophie.”
Herfaceinstantlybleached of all color and she turned her panicked gaze on her mother. “Mama…”She visibly swallowed. “I’m sorry.” As the man with the lantern walked forward with a paper in his hand, Travell saw her hand shake as she quickly signed her name and sealed her mother’s fate.
Without warning, Lady Fremont screamed and lunged for her daughter. “How dare you!” The two men easily held her back froman attack, but her eyes spewed enough hatred to convey more than a blow ever could.
Instead of crumpling under such rage, Caroline lifted her chin as color heighted her cheeks once more. “I warned you what could happen when you started all of this!” She waved her arm in a wide arc. “While Lord Fremont may not have been my father, he was all I ever knew. He was kind to me,and I’ve despised you for what you did to him! He’s suffered in that bedchamber for years without even knowing where he is!”
“Don’t act as though you are without blame!” Lady Fremont snarled, spittle flying from her lips. “You were aware of Lord Trenton’s whereabouts, and yet, you did nothing to save him!”
“No, I didn’t,” Caroline spat. “But I’m tired of cleaning up after you. I live in my own hell with thatdrunkardI married. I don’t have time to remain in yours.” With that, she flounced back to the carriage, climbed in,and slammed the doorbehind her.
Silencereignedfor a time, and then Travell nodded his head. The guards began to drag Lady Fremont inside, her demands and curses slowly fading into oblivion as the door shut behind them.
Montgomery walked forward. “What are you going to do about them?” He gestured to the carriage.
Travell turned to Alyssa. “That, I’ll leave up to my future wife.”
She looked at him, and he could tell the wheels were turning. But in the end, she shook her head. “Honestly, I think that they will suffer enough just being together that I don’t need to do anything else.”
He nodded and then put one arm around her, as he held out his otherhandto Logan. “Thank you, Montgomery.”
Logan clasped his hand firmly. “Glad to be of assistance.” With a parting wink at Alyssa, he got on his horse and rode off into the darkness.
As the Lockley carriage rumbled away, Travell allowed his attention to drift back to Alyssa. He tenderly touched her cheek. “Let’s go home.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Travell guided his horse down the long drive leading to Rosewood just as dawn was breaking. Alyssalaid her headagainst his back, her arms tightening around his waist ever so slightly.
“Glad to be back?” he said over his shoulder.
