by Rebecca King
“She is a rather odious woman, isn’t she?” the man murmured conspiratorially.
Adelaide sighed and threw him a dour look. It was clear from the disparaging way she glared at the stranger up and down that the last thing she wanted to do was speak to him. However, without blanking him, she had to converse with him.
“Yes, are lots of odious creatures around here, Brampton,” Adelaide commented pointedly.
Brampton laughed, completely unperturbed by the rather direct insult. “Do I get the pleasure of learning who your companion is, or should I ask around?”
“You shall do no such thing, Roger Brampton,” Adelaide gasped in horror. “This is my niece.”
Brampton bowed and smiled at Ursula. His teasing light blue eyes twinkled mischievously at her and elicited a smile in return.
“Does your niece have a name?” he asked Adelaide without taking his eyes of Ursula.
Aware that he would not be thwarted, Adelaide threw him a dark look. “Her name is Ursula. She is my charge and under my protection while she is here, so I would ask you to mind your manners around her. She isn’t of your kind, Brampton.”
“I am sure that someone as beautiful as - Ursula - will need a lot of - protection while she is here,” he murmured smoothly, eliciting a blush from Ursula that made his smile widen.
Adelaide sighed in disgust.
Ursula blushed. She had never met anyone as charming as the rather ruggedly handsome rogue. Although he wasn’t actually good looking per se, there was something about him that was interesting. Charming almost, and attracted her rather than repulsed her. There was an air of danger about him too that was somewhat thrilling, but she had no idea why.
“Someone as rare and beautiful as this delicate bloom must be protected at all costs,” Brampton declared in a voice that had dipped to a husky whisper.
“We must move on, Brampton,” Adelaide declared crisply, and ushered him to one side so she could continue to walk along the path.
Brampton fell into step beside them. “Are you planning to walk the whole Ladies’ Mile?”
“I should hope to while I am here,” Ursula replied before Adelaide could speak for her.
While for the large part she was glad that Adelaide did the talking, she sometimes felt invisible. Now that the somewhat vague introductions had been made, she was at least able to answer for herself and took advantage of the opportunity to do so.
Adelaide threw him a warning look. “Excuse us, Brampton. We have people to meet. Come along, Ursula, best foot forward.”
Before Brampton could reply, Ursula was tugged toward a group of ladies who were deep in conversation several feet ahead of them. Unperturbed by Adelaide’s dour behaviour, Ursula glanced back and smiled when Brampton bowed and winked cheekily at her before he ambled off in the opposite direction. Aware that her aunt was less than pleased, Ursula turned to face forward. Although she would never confide as much to Adelaide, her day had just grown considerably brighter, and she rather suspected it had nothing to do with a walk in the park.
“Do you think the flowers came from him?” she asked in a wistful voice.
“Don’t go getting any ideas about that one,” Adelaide warned her. “He is a rogue through and through. The gossip about him is about as dire as I have ever heard about anyone. His name has been linked to three questionable ladies this year alone, and the season has only just started.” She looked at Ursula. “Two of those ladies are married.”
Ursula didn’t want to believe it. Someone as charming as Brampton must be popular with the ladies agreed, but she couldn’t see why someone like him would need to indulge with married ladies when so many single ones were about.
The thought of him sending her the flowers filled her with a lot more enthusiasm than the thought of Alfred Sinnerton being her admirer. Not least because Brampton wasn’t related to Eunice Sinnerton like Alfred was. She shivered and glanced behind them again, but couldn’t see any sign of the timid little man, or his effusive mother.
“I think they have gone,” she murmured with no small measure of relief.
“Good morning, Adelaide. Miss Proctor,” Trenton murmured.
Ursula’s head snapped round. Something lurched deep inside her chest, and all thought of Roger Brampton, and the Sinnertons vanished in an instant. She tried to assure herself it couldn’t possibly be her heart that had lurched alarmingly at the sight of him, but she rather suspected that it was. Although she kept her face impassive as she dipped into a curtsey, her heart hammered wildly.
In that moment, the rest of the street, and the people in it, faded into insignificance. There was only him and her. Nothing else mattered. He looked so handsome atop the huge bay horse that she struggled not to stare at him like a love-struck teenager.
“It’s a wonderful day, is it not?” He kept his eyes locked firmly on Ursula.
“It is,” Ursula replied with a regal nod.
“Are you walking the Ladies’ Mile?” he asked and nodded to the path that disappeared into the trees beside them.
“Oh, no. Not today. We are about to head back,” she replied with a disappointed sigh.
“Have you not completed it yet?” he asked with a frown as he studied the wistful expression on her face.
“Not yet,” she replied and threw him a rueful look. “In deference to Aunt Adelaide, we don’t venture too far on our morning walks. There are always so many people to talk to.”
Trenton nodded. “I should be delighted if you would allow me the honour of accompanying you one day then.” He flicked a glance at Adelaide who nodded her approval. “With an appropriate chaperone of course.”
“That would be lovely,” Ursula replied, unsure whether she should accept or not. She made a mental note to ask her aunt if it was acceptable because he was engaged, but wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Just having the opportunity to walk the Mile was an indulgence she just couldn’t deprive herself of and she murmured her thanks.
“It is festooned with flowers at this time of year,” he drawled. “It is a truly wonderful spectacle. I am sure you will enjoy it.”
Ursula’s shocked gaze flew to Adelaide, who suddenly looked like the cat who had just received a bowl full of cream.
“Like flowers, do you Trenton?” Adelaide asked with a knowing smile.
Trenton frowned at Adelaide. Had he missed something?
“They are a beautiful gift from nature,” he replied.
“And secret admirers.”
His brows shot up. His gaze flew to Ursula. Had an admirer sent her flowers already? That thought made him shift uncomfortably in his saddle. He wanted to demand to know who sent them, when she met the scoundrel, and what his connections were. To his disgust, he noticed Brampton watching them from a few feet away. The rogue threw him a cocky salute before he turned his back and walked casually into the trees. Was he the one who had sent Ursula flowers?
The thought of one of London’s most notorious rakes ruining someone as delightful as Ursula made his blood boil. He wondered just what Adelaide thought she was doing by encouraging such attention, and glared at the elderly lady accusingly.
“He is a notorious scoundrel,” Trenton said pointedly, keeping his gaze locked on Adelaide.
“I have warned Ursula, haven’t I dear?”
“How are you finding London?” He desperately needed to find out where Adelaide and Ursula intended to visit over the next few days because he suspected that Brampton was likely to go there too.
“It’s busy,” Ursula replied. “I haven’t had a moment to think.”
“Are you going to the Finsbury’s ball tomorrow?”
Adelaide stepped forward. “We are not, I am afraid. We received an invitation to the Browning’s dinner, and I had accepted that by the time we received the invitation to the Finsbury’s.” She glanced at Ursula. “We shall have to go to the Finsbury’s ball next year.”
They both frowned at Ursula when some of the light faded from her eyes
, and she began to look a little subdued.
“I keep forgetting that she isn’t used to the social whirl of London.” She frowned and studied the other pedestrians on the pavements around then. “I don’t see anyone I wish to converse with today so I think we will call it a day, Ursula, and make our way home.”
“What about your friends? You so wanted to speak with them. I am sure if we wait a while and just amble along slowly, one of them might turn up,” Ursula half-heartedly protested as she studied the ladies walking steadily toward them. She had been so looking forward to taking in the air, but it had now all been rather spoiled. Not only by the determination of that Sinnerton woman, but it was disappointing that their walk, however crowded, would be over so soon. It felt as though they had only just left the house.
“They can call upon us if they wish to converse today,” Adelaide muttered as she glared at Mrs Sinnerton, who was still forging a path toward them. “It’s time for us to go home. Preferably before that woman catches up with us again and we end up taking her home with us.”
“Might I call upon you soon, Ursula?” Trenton asked, determined not to be dismissed so easily.
Ursula glanced up at him. “I should like that,” she replied, a little curious to know why someone like Trenton should want to speak with her. Now was not the time to ask though. Adelaide had that determined look in her eye that warned Ursula she had made a decision about something and wasn’t about to thwarted.
Aware that Mrs Sinnerton was fast approaching, both Ursula and Adelaide took their leave of Trenton and headed home.
Trenton watched them go for a few minutes then wheeled his horse around and left the park.
If either the ladies, or Trenton, had taken a moment to glance toward the trees close to where they had been standing, they would have seen a single, dark shadow separate from the trees. The watcher studied Trenton’s retreating back for a moment before they followed the ladies.
CHAPTER THREE
The following evening, Ursula sat in the carriage and watched the lights of London roll past. A ripple of unease swept down her spine as she studied the impenetrable fog that hauntingly smothered the sights and sounds of London. She glanced across the carriage, grateful that her aunt was with her. Although the small, single light within the carriage brought some small measure of comfort, it also added to the haunting glow that turned the atmosphere within almost sinister. She shivered and drew her shawl tighter around her shoulders.
“Where are we going again?” Ursula asked with a frown as she turned her thoughts toward the dreaded forthcoming ball. She wanted to hold her head in her hands in despair of the constant whirl of social engagements that had deluged them practically every day. Although she had never said as much to Adelaide, she rather suspected that she was invited to many of the activities so she could fill the seats. The hosts could then check out the competition the debutants faced before the season went into full swing. She was positive that if she had come to London at any other time of year, people wouldn’t be half so accommodating toward an untitled country girl from Yorkshire.
“The Andover’s ball,” Adelaide replied absently.
Ursula tried to remember who the Andovers were, but her memory failed her. One ball was very much like another as far as she was concerned, and it was impossible to remember everyone’s names and faces. She wished that the month was nearly over because she yearned for just one evening with her feet up in front of the fire.
Thinking about the fireplace in her bedroom drew her thoughts toward the new arrangement of flowers sitting on the table beside her bed at Adelaide’s house. One new arrangement of posies had arrived each day for the past week, still with no name attached and still just as mysterious as they had been from the beginning.
“Who do you think it is?”
“What is, dear?” Adelaide asked somewhat confused.
“Who do you think keeps sending me the flowers?”
“Well, it is obvious, isn’t it?”
Ursula frowned at that. “Is it?”
“It has to be Trenton, doesn’t it?”
Ursula stared at her. “What makes you think that?”
“He has known you since he was a young boy. Isn’t it a little unusual that you come to London and well, surprise, surprise, he is here at the same time?”
“The season is due to begin soon though. Surely that is a good enough reason for him to be in London,” Ursula replied. She couldn’t believe that Trenton would do such a thing. “I know I have said this before but I have been living right next door for years and he hasn’t bothered before. Why should he do so now?”
“Ah, but he is not married yet, is he?”
“He is as good as,” Ursula chided. “I cannot see that any fiancé would be at ease with her future husband sending another woman flowers. Can you?”
For once, Adelaide seemed to consider that for several moments, then conceded the point. “Well, who do you think they might be from then?”
“Brampton?” Ursula asked. Her brows lifted as she waited.
“I hope not,” Adelaide groused. “You really don’t want to capture his attention.”
“He is nice.”
“Ha! He is a scoundrel.”
Ursula jumped back when one gloved finger appeared inches from the end of her nose.
“I warn you to stay away from him. He is up to no good,” her aunt declared firmly. “If I find out that man is sending you flowers then I will send the next arrangement straight back to him. I promise you that much.”
“Well, I don’t know any other men, apart from Alfred Sinnerton.” She closed her eyes and prayed that they weren’t from him.
“Oh no,” Adelaide murmured with a shake of her head. “I would prefer your secret admirer to be Brampton. Although, if he is, I am also glad he hasn’t come forward to claim responsibility.” She considered Ursula’s comment for a moment. “No, I cannot believe it would be Brampton. He is the kind of man who would make sure you knew he had spent that much time and effort on you right from the very start. He would brag about it to anyone and everyone, just to make his interest known to other parties. No, it’s not Brampton.”
“He can’t be that bad,” Ursula protested.
“His reputation is one of the worst in London. That man relies on his looks too much, and cannot be trusted. I won’t countenance you encouraging his attentions, Ursula.”
“I won’t,” she replied.
“Have you sent a letter to your father yet?” Adelaide snapped, determined to change the subject.
Ursula shook her head. “There is nothing to tell him.”
“Apart from the fact that you haven’t found a husband yet, you mean?”
“No, and I am not going to either,” Ursula snapped. She sensed Adelaide’s astonishment at her fervency of her reply but kept her gaze turned toward what she could see of the passing scenery.
“He has given you a month, Ursula. Time is ticking.”
“I know,” she sighed. “What is he going to do once the month is out? Force me to marry against my will? He may choose a husband. He may even arrange the wedding, but he shall never force me up the aisle. I promise you that he shall never force me to say the words that will commit my life to anyone else’s.”
“You are that averse to marrying?”
“Anyone of my father’s choosing, yes. Why, I should rather marry someone like Sinnerton just to spite my father, if it came to it,” Ursula protested.
“Don’t say that,” Adelaide warned. “I should not allow it.”
“I don’t know what to do to get the message across to father that I won’t be bullied in this way.”
“You don’t have to go back once the month is over, if you don’t want to,” Adelaide suggested. “I prefer your company to my own. It would be wonderful if you could consider staying with me for a while longer.”
Ursula stared at her in stunned disbelief. “What about father? He has given me a stipend, but it is just for this trip. I h
ave no other way to support myself once the month is out.”
“Nonsense,” Adelaide snorted. “I have more than able to support the both of us. Your father sent you to London. He could demand you return to Yorkshire, but if you are not a burden to him then he has no reason to force you to marry. You are good company. I think you should stay with me.”
“I should like that very much,” Ursula whispered in a voice that was husky with tears. She dug around in her reticule and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief; touched by her aunt’s generosity. She felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and heaved a sigh of relief that at least one of her problems had been solved. “If you are sure then I shall write to inform my father of my intention to stay in London for the foreseeable future.”
“Good, that’s settled then. Meantime, don’t encourage the attentions of Brampton, or Alfred Sinnerton. There is something about Sinnerton that just doesn’t sit well with me either, but I don’t know what it is.” Adelaide warned. She threw Ursula rueful look as the carriage drew to a stop outside of Andover House. “Apart from his mother, that is. Nobody should be related to that woman.”
Ursula was still smiling as she stepped down from the carriage. Even before they could see her, they heard Mrs Sinnerton’s booming voice in the hallway. Adelaide looked at her niece ruefully and nodded toward the receiving line.
“Let’s be quick, and maybe then we can avoid her,” she murmured, winking when Ursula’s smile widened.
“Trenton, you are here,” Adelaide beamed as they walked into the ballroom moments later, and ran straight into him.
Ursula was surprised at the speed in which he appeared beside them so soon. Had he been waiting for them?
“Adelaide. Miss Proctor, you look delightful this evening.” Indeed, she did. Her pale green ball gown was the height of fashion, and matched the beautiful sea green colour of her eyes to perfection.
“Please save me a dance or two this evening.” He lifted his brows at Adelaide, who nodded in delight. Once he had marked Ursula’s card, he handed it back to her. “Might I get you ladies something to drink?”