Caroline, on the other hand, had no such compunctions.“It’s just a pet name that James and I call her. Isn’t that right, Alyssa?” She giggled, as if Alyssa wasincluded inthe joke. “She’s always scurrying about underfoot and popping up out of nowhere!”
“I…see,” Travell drawled, but Alyssa knew him well enough torecognizethat the look he bestowed on Caroline wasn’t one of shared mirth.
Caroline turned to her. “Why don’t you go get changed while I entertain our guest in the parlor?” She waveda dismissivehand while she guided Travell away.
Alyssa merely sighed, but went upstairs.
Chapter Four
When Alyssa came back downstairs a short time later, attired in a black day gown, she noted thata teacart and various desserts were already waiting.She also saw thatseveral of the tarts were missing.
She glanced at Caroline and thought thatsome ofher dresses were starting to fit a bit more snugly of late. But since it wasn’t her concern to tellLady Lockleyhow much she should or shouldn’t eat, Alyssa sat down in a chair across from Caroline and Travell, who shehad likely coerced to sit next to heron the settee.
“Alyssa,there you are. Won’t yoube a dear andpour the tea for us?”
Caroline batted her lashes, and it was all Alyssa could do to hold her tongue. It was as ifshe was being treated as little more than a servant in her own home,or what used to be hers. Butinstead of arguing,she calmly did as she’d been asked.
Alyssa handed Travell his cup first, no cream or sugar, just as shealsorecalled he liked it. “Shouldn’t you ask the viscount how he wants his tea served?” Caroline chided.
Travell was the one who answered. “I’ve known Lady Alyssa for many years, LadyLockley, and she’s long been friends with my sister, Triana.”
“Is she also in residence?” Caroline nearly cooed.“If so, I should like to call upon her.”
It was all Alyssacould do not to roll her eyes.
“No. She recently married the Duke of Chiltern and they are in Italy on their honeymoon.”
“A duchess?” Caroline was obviously impressed, proving just how shallow she was.“Howlovely. No doubt you were pleased by such an advantageous match.”
“That had nothing to do with it,” Travell returned almost curtly. “She loves her husband, and the feeling is reciprocated.”
Caroline sighed almost dreamily. “Howromantic. James and I married for mutual respect, but we’ve grown fond of one another over the years. Ah! There is my wonderful baronnow.” Sheroseandgreeted the man in question with a light kiss on the cheek as he strolled into the parlor.
Alyssa nearly choked on her tea. She had never known her cousin or his wife to show nothing more than a simple tolerance for one another. It was apparent she wasputting on this little showsolely for Travell’s benefit. No doubtit was onlyto gainhis favor for someunknownpurpose.
She rolled her eyes in her cupas James said, “I heard that we had a guest.”
“Darling,” Caroline gushed. “This is Viscount Curdiff.”
James bowed politely as Travell rose. “Welcome to Breyton Hall, my lord. I daresay we don’t receive many guests in our little corner of England. And especially not anyone of our revered social standing.”
He chuckled and while Caroline laughedwith him, Alyssa didn’t join in their merriment. A quick glance at Travell showed that he didn’tappreciate the attempt at humoreither.
After a brief chat with the baron, Travellstood. “If you will excuse me, I should be returning to Rosewood. I have business to attend to.”
“Naturally. Men of our staturehave never ending responsibilities. I do hope you will visit again soon, Lord Curdiff.”
Travell merely inclined his head, although he turned to Alyssa. “I was hoping I might take Lady Alyssa back out for a brief ride.”
“I don’t see any problem with that,” James said with a grin, but Alyssa saw that Caroline didn’t appear quite so thrilled about the prospect. No doubt she would have preferred to go with Travell instead.
With a small smile of triumph on her face, shegother feet. “I should like that very much, my lord.”
She hooked her arm through his, and as they took their leave, she could feel Caroline’s glare boring through her back.
Her grin merely widened.
***
