She nodded, her gaze still distant as she stared out at the vast lawn. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s about time you settled down and did your duty, and Lady Alyssa is a fine gel, to be sure. I long thought the two of you had a certain attachment.”
His brows rose at this. “You did?”
“Of course,” she scoffed. “I think you were the only one who wasn’t aware that she was head-over-heels in love with you.”
Travell sat back against the bench, all the wind abruptly taken out of his sails. How had he been so blind? But then, he realized all of his attention had been wholly focused on his work for the Home Office that he’d blocked out everything else. He vowed that wouldn’t be the case henceforth. He would make time for those that mattered most to him. It only tookadmittinghis love for Alyssa to finally open his eyes to what he’d been missing.
He swallowed heavily. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Mama.”
At this, she turned her head and looked at him, a distant whisper of longing in her gaze. “You haven’t called me Mama since you were a child.”
“That’s because I was too busy with my own pursuits to show any consideration to you or Tri.” He blew out a breath. “But I intend to make amends for that. I’ll be there for you andFather from now on. You have my word.”
The countess smiled, and then shook her head. “You’re about to be a husband and perhaps a father very soon. You will have new responsibilities ahead,and I shouldn’t wish to disrupt them.” She looked back out over the lawn and said quietly, “If anyone should be atoning for their sins, it’s me. I’ve been married to your father for thirty-five years, but while we had our ups and downs like any other couple, most of our disagreements could have been prevented with proper communication.”
She glanced down at her lap with a frown. “If I would have only come out and confronted him about the assumed affair with Sophie, then perhaps all of this turmoil and heartache could have been prevented. Instead, it was my pride that kept me from wanting to know the truth, so I lashed out at him. I told John he was a bad father—among other things—anything that I could do to hurt him, as I believed he’d injured me. In the end, it was my own unfaithfulness with Lord Fremont that was unforgiveable.”
As she fell silent, Travell allowed the solitude to rest between them for a time, but then he said, “We all make mistakes, Mama. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t guilty of a few errors in judgment myself. But that’s what makes us human. We all look back on our past transgressions and wonder what we could have done differently, but since there is no use lamenting what is, you just have to move forward to the future.”
“Of course, you’re right. The only thing I’m doing out here is feeling sorry for myself.” Her lips twitched. “Something that I used to scold you and your sister for doing.”
He chuckled. “Indeed, you did.” He paused. “How is father faring this morning? I haven’t had a chance to check in on him yet.”
“I’ve found that he has his good and bad moments,” she admittedwith a regretful smile. “But I believe that, in time, and with Dr. Perimore’scontinued assistance, which he has graciously provided, that the earl will recover, but I think there will always be gaps in his memory. However, as his opium intake is being reduced, I can see a dramatic change to his mood swings.”
Travell nodded. There was no longer a need to keep a footman outside to ensure the earldid not trysomething drastic. Dr. Perimore had moved from the rooms across from Lord Trenton’s chamber to his sitting room so that he could be alerted when there was a change in his sleeping patterns. The man had turned out to be a Godsend. As a confirmed bachelor, completely devoted to his work,thephysicianvowed that he would remain at Rosewood for however long he was needed, and his fee in doing so had been rather reasonable. His only request was that hebe grantedpermission to noteLord Trenton’sbehavior so that it might be helpful to someone else, with full discretion, of course. Travell had agreed without hesitation, for it ensured the earl would be spared any further asylum horrors.
Ameliareached over and patted his hand. “Don’t fret about us. We’ll be fine.” She lifted her chin at a resolute angle and he had to grin. That strong-willed demeanor would always be part of his mother’s personality, but he wouldn’t change her for all the wealth in England. “As I’ve grown older, I find that the constant bustle of city life is becoming rather tedious. I think I shall be quite content remaining at Rosewood with my husband.”
Travell leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek. “I wish you both every happiness.”
She leaned into his embrace. “And I you, my son.”
***
Alyssa’spulsebegan to race the moment Travellreturned totheparlor. His dark hair was windblown and he carried the scent of the autumn season with him.Although she had enjoyed her chat with Triana immensely, the sight of him was like a breath of fresh air.
He walked over to where they sat on the settee. “If you don’t mind, Tri,” he said dryly. “I’d like to steal my future wife away.”
He held out his arm to Alyssa and she rose to accept it, her heart thrilling every time he called her hisbetrothed.
“I suppose if you must.” Triana sighed dramatically, although there was a twinkle of mirth in her blue eyes.
Travell rolled his eyes as he escorted Alyssa back upstairs. “I had a nice chat with my mother.She gives us our full blessing.Now, all we have to do is convince the earl.” He paused at his father’s door.“Shall we?” he prompted.
Alyssa smiled, not worried in the least. Her only concern waswhat might resultif Lord Trenton still thought she was Triana. In that case, it might be a bit more difficult to convince him that his“children”wanted to marry. “Lead the way, my lord.”
Thankfully, she was hesitant for noreason. As they walked in the earl’s chamber, the older man looked up from where he was playing chess with Dr. Perimore. “Afortuitousentrance, m’boy!”Hechuckled. “I fear any more battles with this dratted man will see me losing our match!”
The mesmeristrose from his seatandsmiled. “I don’t think anyone could beat your abilityatthe chess board, my lord. I just have yet to accept defeat.”
With that, he greeted Travell and Alyssa with a nod, and then left the room.
“Father.” Travell acknowledged his sire with a respectful bow, and then his arm slipped around her shoulders. “I have some news that I hope will be met with joy.” He glanced at her and with just one heated glance, her toes curled in her slippers. “I’ve asked Alyssa to marry me, and she has accepted.”
The earl blinked, and then he slapped a hand on the table and roared with laughter. “My sneaky boy has courted little Alyssa Breyton right beneath my nose!” Alyssa wasn’t sure if he was speaking from the past, or ifhe truly was aware of theirage, but either way, his merriment was infectious and she couldn’t help but smile as he stood and walked over to them. He grasped Travell’s hand first and shook itheartily, and then he turned to her.
She waited for him to speak, but then he surprised her by drawing her in for a fatherly hug. “I wouldn’t have allowed him to marry anyone else. You were always like a second daughter to me.”
