by Rebecca King
“He is over there, ma’am,” Molly reported and nodded toward Brampton, who was climbing into a large, black carriage parked on the opposite side of the street.
Ursula couldn’t see who was inside, but watched as the carriage rumbled past.
“I wonder whose carriage that is?” she mused aloud as she studied the nondescript carriage. To add to the mystery, although it was the middle of the day, the shutters drawn up preventing anyone from seeing who the occupants were.
“Disreputable rogue,” she muttered as it turned out of the end of the street. As soon as it had vanished, she heaved a sigh of relief and felt some of her earlier enjoyment return.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.
“Yoo-hoo. I say, Miss Proctor? Yoo-hoo.”
Ursula closed her eyes on a sigh, but didn’t stop walking. She scoured the pavement in front of her for the source of that hideous racket, but suspected that she must be behind.
“Molly?”
“Yes, miss?” the maid asked cautiously.
“Keep walking but quicken your pace. Pretend we didn’t hear her.”
“She is coming this way, miss, out of the road beside you,” the maid replied quietly.
“Don’t look that way, just keep walking.” Ursula knew it was rude to slight the woman, but just didn’t want the odious creature to ask pointed questions that were none of her business. The overly familiar manner was offensive enough, but to have to fend off unwanted questions was the last thing she wanted right now. She rather suspected that Mrs Sinnerton’s first question would be to ask where Adelaide was, and she wasn’t prepared to discuss that at the side of the road. If she was honest, it wasn’t just Mrs Sinnerton she was trying to avoid, but Alfred as well. Alfred Sinnerton gave her the creeps; not least because his continual staring was outright rude, and his conversational skills were sadly lacking too.
Unfortunately, because they hurried so much in an attempt to avoid both Brompton and the Sinnertons, they reached Adelaide’s house far earlier than Ursula was ready for.
“Do you know something, Molly? I don’t want to go back just yet,” she declared, eyeing the front door with something akin to distaste. “It’s too nice to sit around inside all by myself.” She suddenly stopped in the middle of the path and looked at the maid. “Do you have chores waiting for you?”
“Given that I am escorting you at the moment, miss, the other maids will do some of my work for me,” Molly said enthusiastically, clearly relieved not to have to go back to work.
“Good, then let’s walk the Ladies’ Mile while we are out. I have so wanted to do it, but Adelaide just can’t walk that far. If you are amenable, let’s try it.”
“Yes, miss,” the maid replied happily.
“Come on then, this way.”
Thankfully, because of the early hour the Ladies’ Mile was almost deserted. The normal gathering of pedestrians had yet to begin their daily foray into society, which suited Ursula perfectly. She drew in a deep breath of the crisp morning air and savoured the quiet that settled over them as they walked into the quietude of the park.
Birds chirruped merrily from their branches high in the trees which swished and swayed in the gentle breeze. Other than that, very little of the outside world could be heard.
“How wonderful,” she murmured, and tipped her head up a little so she could feel the sunlight on her face. The warm rays stole any chill from her cheeks and bathed her in a gentle glow that was nothing short of invigorating. The freedom of being able to enjoy such a moment, free of prying eyes and social strictures, fed her soul and brought a smile to her face that was so instinctive she didn’t even realise she was doing it. With each step she took she felt her worries and fears ease.
Now that her head had started to clear she began to think over everything that had happened of late. Although she hadn’t had the chance to discuss it with Trenton just yet, she suspected that the admirer who had sent her the flowers was either Alfred Sinnerton, or Brampton. There really was nobody else in London who had been so persistent in making their presence felt. People had approached her to converse at social engagements, most of whom were men. It was fair to say that the same people usually made their presence, and their interest, known whenever she went out. However, none of them had ever disturbed her as much as Brampton and Sinnerton.
Which one could it be though? Brampton was a rogue, yes, but if he already had a mistress, why would he send her flowers at such great expense? Did such a gesture befit Alfred Sinnerton though? He didn’t appear to have the wherewithal to say ‘boo’ to a goose. She just didn’t think he would have the gumption to do something as outrageous as sending a woman flowers, much less pen the flowery praise that came with them.
That turned her attention to the writing on the cards. That appeared to be too feminine to be a man’s writing. Could Mrs Sinnerton be behind the flowers? Was it possible that she might be pushing her son’s acquaintance along because he was too shy to do so himself? Somehow, she just couldn’t see someone like Eunice Sinnerton being that frivolous. She was the kind who would accost people in the streets, and positively order them to attend her social invitations.
“Accosting people in the streets,” she murmured thoughtfully as she remembered that fateful day when she had been hit on the head at the embankment. Were they connected?
“Good morning, Ursula,” Trenton murmured. His smile widened when she gasped and beamed up at him. The delight in her eyes warmed his heart and he found himself grinning at her as he dismounted so he could walk alongside her. Once at her side he pecked her on the cheek and winked at the maid.
“You shouldn’t,” Ursula chided him as she glanced furtively around them in search of witnesses. “What if anyone sees? Mrs Sinnerton is around here somewhere, you know.”
“I don’t care what Mrs Sinnerton wants, I am not kissing her on the cheek,” he countered with an unrepentant grin.
She laughed and nudged him as she threw him a rueful glance.
“You look as beautiful as ever,” he declared huskily. “I was going to come over to see you later. How is Adelaide today?”
“Oh, she is fine. A little tired, but is desperate to get out of bed. I don’t think we have a hope of confining her until she is fully recovered. She is out of sorts already.”
“Well, as long as she doesn’t accept any invitations just yet then she should be fine. After all, does it matter if she is resting in bed or sitting in the fire downstairs, as long as she is happy?”
Ursula studied the way the sunlight danced with the shadows on his face and felt such a strong wave of love sweep through her that it stole her breath. Knowing he wasn’t engaged yet fuelled that love and opened up a wealth of possibilities that increased her adoration tenfold.
“I have heard from father today,” she said quietly after several moments of amiable silence. She smiled when he tucked her hand through his arm, and kept his hand on top of hers in a loving gesture of intimacy that was nothing short of possessive.
Their eyes met and held. “He is pushing you to go back to Yorkshire,” he said, although it wasn’t a question.
She nodded. “He has accepted one of the offers for me and has said that I am engaged.”
“Then you must go back to Yorkshire,” he replied with a sigh.
He wondered just how much he should tell her just yet. They were not as far into their relationship as he would have liked by now but not taking her into his confidence was going to defeat his own purpose if he kept the charade going for much longer.
Because of the mysterious admirer, and the strange events that had befallen both Ursula and Adelaide, and the misunderstanding about Barbarella, romancing her had taken considerably longer than he had planned. Still, matters were on course now and nothing, not even Jeremiah Proctor, was going to throw them into confusion again.
“Would you like me to write to your father to notify him of your aunt’s accident? She is bedridden, Ursula, and shouldn’t be left alone right
now. I am sure that if Jeremiah is informed, and I request that you be allowed to stay in London to nurse her, he can hardly feel in a position to object. Adelaide is his sister after all, and you are family.”
She studied him, a little deflated that he seemed to accept her engagement to someone else so readily. She had thought that after what they had shared yesterday matters might be a little more, well, definite between them.
“Did you not hear what I said?” she asked bluntly, snatching her hand out from beneath his. “He has accepted an offer for my hand.”
“I know, I heard you,” he replied carefully. He flicked a glance at the maid who had taken a seat on a bench several feet away and was now pretending to be invisible. Thankful for the maid’s discretion, he stepped closer to Ursula. “It is just that you are not in Yorkshire yet,” he replied. “Unless you have any desire to return there in the immediate future, you can use Adelaide as an excuse to remain in London for now. By the time your father gets anywhere with making arrangements for a wedding, we shall have resolved the issue with your secret admirer, and can then discuss your engagement with your father.”
“How can you be so blaze about this? I know it may not mean much to you, but this is my future my father is signing away,” Ursula snapped. All of her earlier enjoyment had now vanished, and been replaced with a soul-deep hurt that echoed in her voice.
“Why are you so averse to marriage?” he asked reasonably, refusing to allow the issue to drop in spite of her distress.
“I am not,” she countered.
“Then why object to it so vehemently?”
“Would you want to marry someone of your father’s choosing?” Ursula snapped.
She wanted to smack him for his callous disregard of her feelings. Did he usually dally with ladies and then wave them off so they could marry someone else? Was he that much of a rogue? How could he be so heartless?
“Of course not, but I am not a female. I can marry whom I choose,” he declared somewhat pompously.
“Well, that’s good for you,” she declared with a sniff. “Meanwhile, I am to be ferried off to Yorkshire to be married to some odious country fellow so I can live in the middle of nowhere and count sheep for the rest of my life.”
In spite of her upset, Trenton battled to withhold his smile. “I am sure your father would never settle for a man like that in your life.”
“Oh, you know that for a fact, do you?” she snapped.
“Well, I do have it on good authority that the man your father has accepted is most suitable for you. He is strong, dependable, and extremely loyal,” he mused thoughtfully, thoroughly enjoying witnessing this new, rather spiky side to her.
“So are most dogs,” she countered crisply. “But I am not expected to marry them!”
“I am sure it won’t be as bad as all that,” he murmured soothingly. He knew immediately he had said the wrong thing when she threw a glare at him that could have frozen him on the spot.
“Am I to understand that my father has taken you into his confidence about who my prospective husband is too?” She stared at him when he hesitated. “You know who it is, don’t you? You knew all along that this was what my father would do?”
Trenton slowly nodded. There was something secretive in his eyes that she didn’t like but couldn’t quite focus on because of the crippling sense of betrayal that swept through her.
She looked at him in disbelief. “You knew all along that my father was signing my future away to someone else. That’s why you got mad with me for going to the conservatory the other night. Tell me, is that why you hinted at the dinner the other evening that I was to marry a Yorkshireman? You were telling me that you knew I was to marry; that my husband had already been selected for me?”
He didn’t move or make any attempt to deny the accusation, but sighed as though he was digging deep for his patience. Now, she was in no mood to listen to what he had to say though. She had never been so disgusted with anyone in her life, and had certainly never felt this betrayed.
To think he had encouraged her affection while knowing all along that she was marrying someone else left her feeling slightly sick.
“Tell me, did my father pay you to shower me with affection and take liberties so you could deliver me to my future husband unscathed?”
“Ursula,” he growled darkly. All trace of mirth vanished from his face and was replaced by something that was infinitely dark and dangerous but she didn’t care what he thought. Her broken heart wouldn’t allow her to stop.
“Ursula, listen to me,” Trenton demanded.
“I think we should now consider our association at an end,” she whispered in a voice that was fuelled with hurt.
Before he could say anything else, she whirled around and strode down the path.
Trenton swore as she disappeared and threw a glare at the maid. “Go back to the house. I will escort her home once she has calmed down. Tell Adelaide that I will bring her home in time for dinner.”
Ursula swiped at the tears on her face and tried to calm down. This was London, a place where ladies were expected to glide and look serene no matter what they did, or where they went. But it was difficult given the anger that was so strong she physically shook. Knowing she would draw censure if she carried on like this, she forced herself to slow her pace to a steady walk.
Suddenly, the steady thud of hoof beats behind her grew louder.
“Stop right there,” Trenton demanded as he pulled his horse to a stop. He quickly dismounted and tugged her unceremoniously toward the sheltered protection of the trees beside them.
He was glad that she had taken a walk so early in the morning because they practically had the park to themselves, but he still needed to preserve their privacy. Once they were away from prying eyes, he moved around to stand in front of her, and forced her to look up at him.
“I am sorry if I upset you.”
“You are in league with my father,” she whispered. “How could you do that to me?”
Trenton sighed and knew that he had to explain. Unfortunately, the arrival of a nursemaid and her young charges warned him this was neither the time nor the place. He sighed and looked down at the woman he so desperately needed to hold. She looked so damned miserable and alluring at the same time that it was all he could do not to haul her into his arms right there and then.
“Well, well, anyone who sees you two standing together like that would think you are in collusion about something,” a rather smug voice drawled suddenly.
Trenton groaned and closed his eyes on curse before he turned around. “Are you following us, Brampton?”
When Ursula tried to walk away, Trenton grabbed hold of her wrist to hold her still. He didn’t care what Brampton thought. If the man put them together in his mind, then he would have no reason to continue to pester Ursula.
“I am just enjoying the morning air.” Brampton sighed. “Although not as much as you it seems.”
“Go away, Brampton,” Trenton snapped.
“I don’t think so. Someone has to preserve this delightful young lady’s reputation.”
“Well, it most certainly won’t be you,” Trenton snorted. “It’s a little like putting a juicy steak in front of a starving dog and not expecting it to eat it.”
Ursula was aware that her head was swivelling back and forth as the men traded insults, but struggled to find a way to intervene.
“I must be going,” she whispered hesitantly. She glanced down at the hold Trenton had on her but he didn’t take the hint.
“No, we must be going,” Trenton corrected her. He knew that if he allowed her to leave the park right now it would probably the last he would see of her until she reached Yorkshire. It was important that he clarify the situation with her father, and enlighten her about what had been agreed.
“You are causing a scandal,” Brampton informed them, and nodded toward a group of ladies walking along the path. “First you release Barbarella from your agreement, Trenton. Then you are gaddi
ng about all of London with her.” He nodded toward Ursula as though she was nothing more than a piece of baggage.
“I had no agreement with Barbarella,” Trenton growled. “Anything she has said to you in that regard is utter nonsense. I have not ever, nor would I ever, offer for Barbarella. God, give me some credit for having taste. She is more your league, not mine.” He drew his gaze up and down Brampton insultingly to make sure that the man knew it was a slight. He then turned toward Ursula and held his arm out in a gentlemanly fashion.
“So the gossips and half of London have got it wrong have they?” Brampton asked, clearly determined not to be thwarted.
“I am afraid they have. Did her father make an announcement? Did he put an advertisement in the broadsheet? Has there ever been an engagement party? No. So I would ask you not to spread scurrilous rumours. Please focus on your own affairs and I use the term ‘affair’ lightly, given your own endeavours.”
Ursula watched Brampton’s face change into something that was hard and almost cruel. He stepped threateningly toward Trenton and, for a moment, she wondered if he was going to start a fight.
“I warn you now not to mess with me, Calderhill,” Brampton snarled.
“Are you threatening me?” Trenton laughed mockingly. “You? London’s notorious wastrel?”
“Can we leave now?” Ursula asked when the air between them became palpable.
“Yes, we can, my dear. Let’s go this way though. You so wanted to walk the Ladies’ Mile that it is a shame to allow anything to ruin our outing,” he growled and escorted Ursula away without a backward look.
“I will bring you down, Trenton,” Brampton warned as they walked away. “You won’t get away with this.”
“What is he talking about?” Ursula asked when they had left Brampton far enough behind that he wouldn’t be able to overhear her.
“I don’t know. I think he may have had plans for you himself, but my presence in your life has thwarted him.”
Ursula mentally cheered but then remembered their earlier argument and frowned at the path beneath their feet. “I think I should like to go back now,” she whispered.