He held up the neatly folded sheet between his thumb and forefinger. “Do you know what this is?” he asked.
She shook her head.
He sighed and said, “I see I’m going to have to make this a bit more clear.” With that, he dropped down on one knee beside the bed, still completely naked. “Alyssa Breyton. I’ve asked you several times to marry me and share my life, but each time, for whatever reason, you believed my intentions to be either insincere, or my affections to be lacking. I’m here now, as vulnerable as any man can be, bearing not only my body but my soul before you to tell you that there is no other woman who I can even imagine being my viscountess, my wife, and the future mother of my children. So, even with the possibility that I could get rejected yet another time, I’m asking — again — if you will marry me?”
Tears had started to trickle down her cheeks, but when she opened her mouth to speak, he held up a hand. “And if you say no, just realize that I will keep asking and asking until you finally say yes, because that is really the only the option that I will accept. In fact—”
She reached up and took his face between her hands. “Travell.”
When he stopped talking, those stormy blue eyes looking at her with a determination that stole her breath, she swallowed and said, “I wish there was a different way to tell you my answer, because ‘yes’ just doesn’t seem like a strong enough word. But other than definitely, positively, surely, willingly, and any other adjective I can think of that might express, without fail, and beyond a doubt, that I have always been yours, there is nothing else that I can say.”
As he stared at her, a grin formed on his face. “So that’s a yes, then?”
She laughed and kissed him soundly on the lips, murmuring, “Yes, you stubborn man.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Travell was quite sure he was grinning like an idiot by the time he headed downstairs sometime later with Alyssa at his side. They found Triana and Gabriel in the parlor and, standing hand in hand, shared their happy news. His sister’s squeal of joy almost brought down the roof. She hugged Alyssa, and Travell heard her whisper, “It was the gown, wasn’t it?”
Alyssa’s face flamed, making Travell’s lips twitch as her blush spoke volumes, if not the fact they had been conspicuously absent for the past three hours.
His brother-in-law was a bit more circumspect as he walked over and clapped him on the back. “It’s about time you joined the matrimonial club, old man,” he teased. “And you couldn’t have chosen a better woman to settle down with.”
Travell turned toward his future wife and smiled lightly. She caught his gaze, those mischievous green eyes that had tormented him for years dancing with happiness now. “You’re right about that.” He tore himself back to the present and said, “Do you have any idea where my mother is?”
The duke gestured toward the doors. “She was heading to the gardens the last I knew.”
When it appeared that Triana would be monopolizing Alyssa for a time, Travell decided to head out and speak to his mother. There were some delicate matters that he’d been meaning to speak to her about anyway, and his upcoming nuptials would be the perfect excuse to seek her out.
He walked outside to a slight chill in the air. Fallen leaves crunched beneath his boots as he headed toward the side of the manor that led to an expansive hedge row and several rose bushes that were dormant, just waiting for spring to come back around.
Travell found his mother seated on a scrolled bench in the midst of the graveled pathways, which intersected around a trellis. Lady Trenton’s back was to him, her stiff back ramrod straight, but as he drew near, she said, “What brings you out here, Travell?”
He smiled, for she had always had the uncanny ability to tell when he approached her. Whether it was a mother’s intuition, or he had a certain step she recognized, it had been the same since he’d been a boy in short pants.
He sat down on the bench next to her and said simply, “I’m getting married.”
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 took admitting his 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 and Father 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 admitted with a regretful smile. “But I believe that, in time, and with Dr. Perimore’s continued 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 earl did not try something 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, the physician vowed 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 he be granted permission to note Lord Trenton’s behavior 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.
Amelia reached 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’s pulse began to race the moment Travell returned to the parlor. 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 his betrothed.
“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 was what might result if 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 no reason. As they walked in the earl’s chamber, the older man looked up from where he was playing chess with Dr. Perimore. “A fortuitous entrance, m’boy!” He chuckled. “I fear any more battles with this dratted man will see me losing our match!”
The mesmerist rose from his seat and smiled. “I don’t think anyone could beat your ability at the 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 if he truly was aware of their age, 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 it heartily, 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.”
When he pulled back, tears were stinging her eyes. “I always felt the same,” she returned in all sincerity.
“You must promise me the second dance at the engagement ball,” he said heartily.
She nodded, remembering their dance in his room that still choked her up whenever she thought of it. “Of course,” she whispered.
“Actually,” Travell spoke up. “We may not have time for an engagement ball. I was rather hoping to have an intimate ceremony in the village tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow!” his father exclaimed. “Oh, that just won’t do. The gel will need a trousseau! She must go to London at once!”
Travell rolled his eyes. “We don’t need those things before the ceremony takes place.”
The earl strode forward and pinned Travell was a firm look. “Now, you listen here, m’boy.” He pointed at her. “That gel deserves the respect of being your wife and a future viscountess. She will have a proper ceremony!”
Alyssa hid her smile as Travell sighed in defeat. “As you have it, Father.”
***
A week later, the last of Alyssa’s gowns from Bond Street arrived at Abernathy House, compliments of Lord and Lady Trenton. The Duke and Duchess of Chiltern had been acting as her escorts during her stay, and now Triana oohed and ahhed as all the silks and fine muslin gowns were revealed. Bonnets, undergarments, and a variety of other items were just part of the generous gift that the earl had insisted upon. She had never wanted for anything when her aunt was alive, but as the pile began to grow on her bed in the mistress’ chamber, it was rather overwhelming.
“There’s just so… much,” she breathed.
“I know!” Triana grinned. “Isn’t it wonderful?” But as she picked through the last of the items, she wore a slight frown. “I don’t see your ball gown for the betrothal party tonight.”
She stared at the bed with her hands on her hips. “If you can’t find it, then no doubt it’s buried.” When Triana didn’t reply immediately, Alyssa turned to find her wearing a rather sheepish look. She knew that expression and it likely didn’t bode well. She covered her face with her hand. “Oh, no. What did you do?”
Triana laughed. “Nothing that bad, I promise. I just may have added something more without your knowledge.”
Alyssa dropped her hand to wave toward the bed. “You didn’t think this was enough?”
“It’s something special,” Triana returned. “Something I rather… picked out for you, because I know you wouldn’t have chosen it yourself, but the moment I saw the fabric I knew it would be perfect with your coloring.”
Alyssa’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, but since her friend’s heart was in the right place, she couldn’t very well fault her for that. Whatever it turned out to be, she would wear it with pride because it was a gift from her future sister-in-law. “Thank you, Tri. When it arrives, I shall wear it with honor.”
The duchess’ face was wreathed in smiles as she said, “Shall I ring for some tea?”
Alyssa nodded. “That would be wonderful.”
As Triana left, Alyssa sank down in a chair by the fireplace, as there wasn’t even enough room to sit on the bed. She sat back with a sigh, and allowed her thoughts to drift to Travell. She hadn’t seen him since the morning after her birthday when she’d been exiled to London to await his arrival at their betrothal ball.
But that didn’t mean she hadn’t allowed him to visit her room one last time. He had left her with a light kiss sometime in the middle of the night, and she hadn’t laid eyes on him since.
That stolen moment was all she had to carry her through the endless rounds of shopping, and the continual pinning, and tucking that she’d endured at the modiste as they had scrambled to complete everything by today. No doubt Lady Trenton was also feeling the strain, for she had taken charge of sending out the last minute invitations. At last count, the day before she had written to say that there would be nearly three hundred guests that had already accepted, the responses being prompt, as many of the ton had returned to town following the summer months.
Alyssa had nearly choked on her dinner when she heard that, but Triana assured her that she had everything in hand, that she’d already hired extra staff, taken care of the menu, and ordered flowers and candles.
Needless to say, the past seven days had gone by in a flurry of activity, but at long last, she would be reunited with the man she loved. She had missed him dreadfully, from the curve of his lips, to the stormy blue of his eyes, and the way he touched her so tenderly, as if she was the only thing that mattered on this entire earth.
A brief knock at the door interrupted her musings. The door opened to reveal a footman. “Your presence is requested in the parlor, my lady.”
Alyssa was confused, as she thought Triana intended for them to take tea in
her sitting room, but she said nothing, just headed downstairs.
However, the moment she walked over the threshold, she found that the duchess wasn’t alone. Three other women stood up with shouts of “Surprise!”
“Oh!” Alyssa laughed as she hugged each of her friends in turn. Lady Isabella, now Mrs. Ridge Claymoore, Lady Rowena, now Lady Rutherford, and even Korina Haverswyth, the American heiress whom they had drawn into their little spinster circle was there. With tears streaming unchecked down her face, she said, “What are you all doing here?”
“As if we would miss the chance to stir things up a bit?” Korina remarked dryly, a mischievous curve tilting her lips and a sparkle of something rather wicked in her hazel eyes. “I daresay it has been rather stale without you girls keeping the papers busy. I suppose it shall have to fall on me to cause the next scandal.”
Ro giggled. “No doubt you will do an admirable job of it.”
Korina shrugged. “What’s the point of trying something if you don’t intend to do it well?”
“Indeed,” Izzy added. “I certainly made a mess of things by running off with Simon.” She winced. “I was never so delighted to find out it was all a sham so that I could marry the only man worthy of my affections.” She ended on a breathy sigh.
Korina rolled her eyes. “Oh, there she goes again.”
“I wouldn’t toss aside romance just yet, Rin,” Rowena pointed out. “We were all skeptical of love until it found us. I have faith that by Christmas some man will capture your fancy.”
“Heaven forbid,” the American grumbled. “I consider falling in love the same as if I were catching the ague. In truth, that would be preferable.” She gave a mock shudder. “I just want to head back to New York and live out the rest of my days in peaceful solitude.”
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