Her heart warmed. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
“It is what friends are for, is it not?” he returned with a wink.
As Travell returned to the task at hand, she couldn’t help but feel that last sentence was more of a double entendre. But then, she’d wondered if she hadn’t insulted him yesterday by calling him a good friend, for his mood had instantly changed and turned rather cold. How she might have made an error by paying him a compliment she didn’t know. She just wanted to tell him how much he meant to her without pouring her entire heart out on the floor for him to crush beneath his boot heel.
Her lips twitched. Perhaps that was going a bit far, for Travell had never been so insensitive, unless she counted the day he was in his cups. But even though she hadn’t dealt with another unfortunate episode, it was still difficult for her to express her adoration for him without crossing that invisible boundary. Especially when she didn’t know if he felt the same. Granted, he’d kissed her passionately and asked her to marry him, but lust and affection did not necessarily make a marriage. She’d promised herself long ago that she wouldn’t settle for anything less than love.
As she began to meander about the other side of the room, Travell said, “I received word that our mesmerist will be here later today. He studied the works of Franz Mesmer and Henin de Cuvillers and seemed rather interested in my father’s condition. He’s young, but he’s also a newly appointed barrister, and he believes that he can help.”
Alyssa was grateful for the change in subject and she latched on to it with both hands. “That’s wonderful news! Let’s hope he’s right and he can offer us some more insight.” As something occurred to her, she asked curiously, “How did you even know to contact this man?”
He shrugged, continuing to make his way around the room with the watering can. In turn, she slowly moved in the opposite direction, touching a delicate petal or sniffing a full bloom along the way. “He’s the nephew of one of my mother’s friends. I recall her mentioning something about his odd profession, so I suppose it always stuck with me.”
Alyssa bit her lip. “I do hope you’ll permit me to join in on the examination?”
“Of course,” he returned. “It was your idea to contact him, after all.”
She smiled. “I daresay it sounds intriguing.”
Their eyes met and suddenly, their easy conversation drifted into something more. But since neither one of them appeared to want to address the challenging situation between them, they let the silence speak what each of them couldn’t. After a time Alyssa broke contact, severing the connection.
Travell finally set the watering can down. “I’ll leave you to do whatever else it is you do in here. I have some things to take care of on the estate, so I’m afraid I’ll miss luncheon. But I told the cook to prepare you whatever you wished.”
“Thank you. That was very kind of you.”
Alyssa sighed when he left. She hated this sudden formality between them, but considering that it was for the best, she swallowed down her regret and tended to her flowers.
***
Travell hadn’t yet returned by the time Ives announced the arrival of the mesmerist from London. He approached her where she sat in the parlor with Daisy, and said that he’d sent a footman out to find the viscount but asked her what he should do with the gentleman in the interim.”
“Why don’t you show him into the parlor?” she suggested. “I just finished my tea, but perhaps he’d like some refreshments after his journey. And perhaps a few sandwiches if Cook is amenable?”
The butler bowed. “That’s very considerate of you, my lady.”
Alyssa straightened in her chair and anticipated the man who she prayed, would make a difference in Lord Trenton’s welfare. The earl had remained rather placid for the past couple of days, but after her attack, Travell had no choice but to order his father to remain sedated for his own protection and that of his servants. Alyssa knew it hurt Travell to keep him restrained all the time, which is why she was pinning such hopes on the man about to join her.
“Mr. Talon Lyridon,” the butler announced from the doorway.
Alyssa stood at the sight of the newcomer — and had to catch her mouth from falling open. With brown hair, an easy smile, and striking silver eyes, he was quite a remarkable man to look at. He was also quite young, as Travell had mentioned. She imagined he hadn’t been out of university for long. He strode forward and paused a few feet from her and offered a bow. “Lady Alyssa?”
She nodded at the unspoken query. “Mr. Lyridon. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She nodded toward the other girl. “This is my maid, Daisy.” She waved her hand to a nearby chair. “Won’t you have a seat?”
“Thank you.”
Once he was settled, she smiled. “Would you care for some tea?”
“Again, thank you.”
After he told her how he preferred it, she handed it to him and then sat back down. “I took the liberty of ordering some additional refreshments. I thought you might be hungry.”
“I appreciate the kind thought, my lady.” He tilted his head and frowned slightly. “I apologize if I misunderstood, but I didn’t realize there was a mistress at Rosewood as of yet.”
She laughed lightly. “Rest assured, there isn’t. But I’ve known Lord Curdiff since we were children. My parent’s estate borders this one, you see.” Her smile drooped slightly. “Now Breyton Hall belongs to my cousin. I’ve been staying with the baron and his wife, but the viscount offered me the use of his conservatory for my Blue Ladies, a cross breed of roses that I created. I have a particular weakness when it comes to horticulture, I’m afraid.”
“Ah, I see.”
She thought it would be best if she turned the attention from herself. Travell said that he believed her companion to be honorable, but she didn’t want to push her luck and find out the opposite was true. It would be hard enough for Travell to face the gossipmongers about his father. She didn’t want to add to his troubles.
As a maid brought in a tray of sandwiches and set them on a nearby table, he picked up a cucumber sandwich and popped it into his mouth.
She waited for him to finish chewing before she said, “Tell me about yourself, Mr. Lyridon. What first interested you in mesmerism?”
He set his teacup aside. “It was really the imbalance in the brain that first caught my attention,” he returned, and Alyssa could tell that this was a subject he felt very strongly about. “I don’t know if Lord Curdiff told you, but I’m a barrister. I always wondered if there was a particular reason that criminals thought or acted in a certain manner. I don’t completely agree with the animal magnetism theory brought about by Mesmer that the body is manipulated by fluid, but rather memory has been trapped within the psyche.” He shrugged. “At least, that’s what I hope to discover.”
“I can sense your determination, Mr. Lyridon,” Alyssa returned. “I certainly hope you are able to unlock some doors with Lord Trenton.”
“I will do my best.” And Alyssa knew that he spoke the truth.
“Ah, Mr. Lyridon.” Travell walked into the room and instantly, Alyssa’s heart picked up speed. “I regret that I wasn’t here to greet you properly when you arrived.”
With his windblown dark hair and the scent of man and outdoors clinging to him, it was a heady combination. His buff breeches hugged his muscular legs and his shoulders looked impossibly wide in his tailor-fit attire. The younger man across from her might be pleasing to the eye, but it was this man who caused her pulse to accelerate.
As the barrister stood and bowed, he said, “It’s no problem at all, Lord Curdiff.” He glanced at her. “I have been amply entertained by Lady Alyssa.”
Travell’s blue eyes captured hers. “Indeed. She is a consummate hostess.”
***
Travell found it difficult to pull his gaze away from Alyssa, especially with such a becoming blush on her cheeks. She tempted him without even realizing she was doing it, which was the
damnable misery of it all.
He sat down in a chair next to Alyssa. While he would feel her presence anywhere in the room, at least this way he might be able to keep his attention on his guest. “I trust you had a good journey?”
The other man nodded. “Zeus is a strong gelding.”
“I hope that you will consider staying for supper before you return to London.”
“I appreciate your hospitality, Lord Curdiff and I would be honored to accept.” He cleared his throat. “If I may be so bold, could you tell me more about your father’s condition? What should I expect?”
Travell stood. “I think it’s best if I show you. How would you like to meet our patient, Mr. Lyridon?”
The barrister stood. “That would be ideal.”
Travell saw Alyssa rise as well, and together, the trio ascended to the second floor and approached the earl’s bedchamber.
A footman was sitting in a chair outside the door, but Travell waved him away when they arrived. “You may relax your duties, Matthews.” The servant bowed and walked away, leaving Travell to explain, “Since my father has various, violent outbursts, I thought it prudent to assign someone to watch over him at all times.”
As he opened the door, he heard Alyssa gasp. Her face fell when she saw the state Lord Trenton was in. Travell knew how terrible it appeared, to have his limbs fully tied down to the bedposts. He looked like a sacrificial offering in his white nightshirt, the covers raised to his midsection.
But Travell knew he’d made the right choice when his father’s eyes abruptly opened and pinned him with a wrath filled glare. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Come to poison me some more?”
“It’s not poison, Father,” Travell tried to explain, and not for the first time. “I told you, it’s medicine—”
“Liar!” Instantly, the earl began fighting against his bonds.
As he continued to hurl more obscenities, Mr. Lyridon turned to Travell. “How long as he been irrational and prone to these insensible outbursts?”
“As long as he’s been here, nearly a week now, but before that, I can’t say.” Travell shrugged helplessly. “I was in London when my estate manager wrote to me to say he’d reappeared.”
“How long has he been missing?” the younger man asked.
“Over seven years now.” Travell shoved a hand through his hair, but when he dropped his arm, he felt the gentle touch of an angel, and he knew that Alyssa had laid her fingers on his upper arm.
“I see.” The barrister regarded the earl for a moment longer, and then he dared to approach the bed. “My lord, can you tell me your name?” he asked calmly.
“Don’t be impudent!” the earl snapped. “I’m John Abernathy, Lord Trenton.” He struggled against his restraints. “I pray you have some sense! Tell them to release me at once!”
“In due time, my lord. I fear you’ve had an accident.”
This seemed to pierce through the man’s conscious. “What sort of accident?”
“I rather hoped that you could tell me.” Mr. Lyridon reached out and set his hands lightly on either side of the earl’s shoulders. “Look into my eyes, Lord Trenton. I want you to slowly count backward from ten and concentrate on the sounds around you, the ticking of the clock on the mantel, the breeze blowing in from your window...”
The earl mumbled something, but Travell watched in amazement as he did as he was told. After a moment, his entire body seemed to relax, and his eyes cleared for the briefest moment.
“Where are you, Lord Trenton?” Mr. Lyridon asked softly.
The older man frowned slightly. “In London. It’s Triana’s debut ball.”
Travell’s throat went dry as Alyssa’s hand tightened on his arm. While they had been hopeful, neither of them imagined that Mr. Lyridon would truly have any luck.
“What are you doing?”
There was a brief pause, and then the earl said, “I’m getting ready to join the party. My valet just left.” He moved slightly, his muscles jerking, but at least he remained relatively calm otherwise.
“You seem agitated. What’s wrong?” Mr. Lyridon prodded.
“There’s… someone in my room.” The earl shifted once more, this time a bit more restless. “It’s Sophie. She has a message for me.”
The barrister turned to Travell with a curious expression, so he supplied, “Sophie was the scullery maid he ran off with.”
Mr. Lyridon nodded, and then turned back to the earl. “What does it say?”
“I’m being blackmailed. They know about Amelia’s affair with Lord Fremont.”
There was a strange buzzing in Travell’s ears as the younger man continued. “What do you do?”
Lord Trenton began to shake his head. “I follow Sophie down the servant’s stairs. I have to pay them for their silence…” His voice trailed off and his eyes began to glaze over once more. “They won’t release me. They’re trying to pour something down my throat…” He strained against his bonds and shouted, “Poison! You bastards!”
“Lord Trenton,” Mr. Lyridon said firmly. “I’m going to snap my fingers and when I do, you are going to wake up. You are no longer in danger. You are safe at Rosewood with your son. There is no need to fear for your life.” As he snapped his fingers, the earl instantly fell into silence. While his eyes were still haunted, at least he wasn’t shouting any longer and he had ceased pulling at his bonds.
Mr. Lyridon stood and nodded to Travell. With Alyssa at his side, they walked out the door. Travell’s mind was still whirling with what he’d witnessed as he shut it behind them. “I think I can learn more about what happened to Lord Trenton if you would permit me a few more days of study with him.”
“I would appreciate that.” Travell nodded. “You were able to gain more information than I would have ever thought possible given his current… condition in only a few minutes. God knows how much more you could learn in the span of a full day.”
The barrister bowed. “I’m just glad to be able to help.”
Travell called for Ives. “Please see that Mr. Lyridon is settled in a guest room. He will be staying with us for a few days to assist the earl.”
“Yes, my lord.” He turned to the barrister. “Sir, if you will follow me?”
As Talon left with the butler, Travell pinched the bridge of his nose. “I need a drink,” he mumbled.
Alyssa threaded her arm through his. “Lead the way, my lord.”
He smiled at her as they made their way downstairs to his study. Once there, he shut the door and walked over to the sideboard. “Sherry?” He held up a crystal decanter holding an amber-colored liquid.
“Yes, please.”
He poured two glasses and then walked over to Alyssa, who had settled into one of the chairs by the fireplace. He sat across from her and took a long, slow sip of his drink before he let it dangle from his fingertips at his side. After a lengthy pause, he murmured, “So it appears that my mother is also not without her transgressions.”
Alyssa colored slightly. At first, he thought it might have something to do with the wine, but then she said, “I knew about Lord Fremont.”
He stilled. “How?”
“The day your father attacked me, he thought I was your mother. He mentioned it then.” Her hand fluttered to her throat. But when she glanced at him, she quickly set it back in her lap.
His jaw clenched. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I meant to,” she returned. “But I was so out of sorts that day, and the next morning I arrived late and you were rather…” She paused, as if to find the right word. “Overset. After that, I suppose it just slipped my mind.”
Travell certainly couldn’t blame her when it was his boorish behavior that was at fault.
“Are you acquainted with Lord Fremont?”
He took another drink. “Not as yet. But I intend to rectify that at the earliest opportunity. Perhaps I might even make a trip to London tomorrow.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” she asked
softly. “You wouldn’t wish to confront him without due provocation.”
“My father’s insanity isn’t enough of a reason?” Travell snapped. When her gaze drifted to the floor, he sighed. “I’m sorry, Alyssa. I don’t mean to take out my frustrations on you, but this man is at the heart of my father’s madness, and I want to know why. He might not have just been having an affair with my mother, but he could very well be behind the poisoning the earl keeps ranting on about.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you really think so?”
Travell shrugged. “I don’t know. But I intend to find out.” As he downed the last of his drink, he set it aside and said, “I also think it’s time I send for Lady Trenton as well.”
Chapter Twelve
When Alyssa headed over to Rosewood the next morning, after another strained, but polite breakfast at Breyton Hall, she arrived to find that Travell had left at dawn for London. Her spirits sank, but she knew he was on a quest to uncover answers and she certainly couldn’t censure him for it. If the roles were reversed, she’d want the same. She just prayed that he didn’t meet with any further opposition when he got there.
As she headed for the conservatory with Daisy at her side, Travell’s guest was walking down the stairs and offered her a respectful smile. “Good morning, Lady Alyssa.”
She inclined her head in greeting. “Mr. Lyridon.”
He joined them and said, “I assume you’re here to check on your roses?”
She smiled. “Indeed. I am.” She tilted her head to the side. “Would you like to see them?”
He grinned in return. “I would be delighted.”
As he followed them down the hall, she paused before the conservatory door. The moment she opened it to reveal the bright, healthy blossoms, their natural perfume filling the warm, humid air, she was glad to see that he appeared genuinely impressed.
Daisy, giving them a moment alone to talk, gathered the watering cans and left to fill them.
Alyssa's Autumn Affair Page 10
