Alice was pulled from sleep by the sound of hushed voices and hurried footsteps outside the bedroom. She blinked against the morning light, her body still heavy with sleep. A knock came, soft but insistent.
"Ma'am? It's Elliot. I'm so sorry to disturb you. Something's happened. Mr. Travis needs you downstairs."
Her heart skipped. She sat up quickly, pulling the blanket around her. "Is he hurt?"
"No, ma'am. But it's urgent."
She was dressed and in the sitting room within minutes. Her eyes found Travis immediately. He was seated in his usual chair by the windows, his face unreadable, posture rigid. His fingers were laced together, the only sign of tension the tight grip between them.
Elliot stood nearby, tablet at his side, face pale.
"Travis?" she asked gently.
He looked up, and the coldness in his eyes thawed slightly at the sight of her. "Alice."
She crossed to him, kneeling slightly to get a better look at his face. "What happened?"
