Wishing For Rainbows (Historical Romance) (11 page)

Besides, after the events of this morning, he rather needed some time to himself to come to terms with the feelings she had stirred within him. She was by far his most abiding memory of his youth. He rather suspected that she one of the reasons why he was so damned determined not to be caught in the parson’s trap by anyone else, especially Barbarella.

Now, he just had to decide how best to help her while furthering his cause to get her to consider matrimony to him. It was only when he was on his way home that he remembered he had yet to correct her misunderstanding about his engagement to Barbarella.

Unfortunately, speaking to her again proved far harder than he had anticipated. He stood beside the window in the Beldrums’ sitting room, absolutely convinced that Ursula was avoiding him. He had spent the past two weeks chasing her from one social engagement to another around London, and had just about reached the end of his tether.

He had heard the gossip that Ursula was connected to him and, although it didn’t matter one iota to him what anyone thought, several quite estimable people had witnessed him carrying her across London the other week. He had to wonder if she had heard too, and was trying to put some distance between them in an attempt to avoid a scandal.

What she wasn’t aware of was that if she wanted to pretend nothing had happened between them, then he had to make sure she understood it was far too late for her to cut him out of her life.

He glared across the room and took a sip of his brandy, only vaguely aware of their host, Frederick Beldrum, rambling on about the hunting season at his estate. While pretending to be listening to his host, his gaze strayed to Ursula. She still looked as beautiful as ever; and tonight had small ringlets that danced and bobbed against her alabaster cheeks.

“Are you listening to me, Trenton? I say, you seem quite disturbed tonight. Is something wrong old chap?”

“Everything was fine,” Trenton replied with a nod toward the door. “I didn’t know you were consorting with him now.”

Frederick looked toward the doorway and groaned. “I didn’t invite him. The wife is his cousin. I only found out he was coming this afternoon, or I would have ordered the damned woman not to invite him. He is a down and out scoundrel.”

Trenton kept quiet. He could see no reason to argue against something that was indeed an accurate assessment of Roger Brampton. When Frederick looked a little cautious, he frowned.

“What? You must tell me now or I shall be curious all evening.” He nodded to Ursula when Frederick still didn’t speak. “I hope he doesn’t have any intentions towards Miss Proctor, or I shall have to take steps to remedy that situation.”

“Oh, no. Well, I have not heard of anything, you understand? It is just that I heard he was seen talking to Miss Somersby the other night, and the following morning, if you catch my drift,” Frederick replied obliquely.

Trenton nodded, completely unsurprised. “I can assure you, Frederick, that Miss Somersby and I have never been engaged. It was a scurrilous rumour put about by Miss Somersby. I have never, and would never, offer for Miss Somersby.”

“Good for you,” Frederick murmured. “I always thought you would have better taste than that. What’s the story with Miss Proctor then? Why is she here?”

Trenton didn’t see any reason why he should divulge Ursula’s father dictates. While Frederick was a circumspect man who wouldn’t risk damaging his reputation by spreading rumours, his wife was a nefarious gossip. “We are old childhood friends and neighbours. My father’s estate borders her father’s property. She is enjoying the sights and sounds of London before she marries next year.”

“She is betrothed?” Frederick asked with lifted brows.

“As good as,” Trenton assured him obliquely.

“Doesn’t look like Brampton knows about it,” Frederick murmured with a nod toward the rogue, who had meandered around the room until he ‘happened’ to cross Ursula’s path.

Ursula dipped into a curtsey and watched Brampton bow. There was something different about him this evening. Although outwardly his manner was polite and courteous, his eyes were cold as his dispassionate gaze raked her from head to toe. He looked as though he was assessing a piece of horseflesh rather than admiring a lady.

She shifted uncomfortably and glanced about the room in search of her aunt. The gentlemen who had been beside her moments earlier had all melted away, leaving her alone with one of the three men she had been trying desperately to avoid. The other was, right now, standing in the far corner of the room deep in conversation with their host.

“How are you this evening, Miss Proctor? Enjoying everything London has to offer?”

“Yes, thank you,” she replied, carefully ignoring the way Brampton’s mouth twisted snidely as he spoke. “Have you seen my aunt anywhere? I must have a word with her.”

“Really? Did you not arrive with her then?” Brampton challenged. “Careful, my dear, or I shall think you are avoiding me.”

“How could I be avoiding you?” she snapped. “I am standing right here.” She took a sip of her Ratafia, mentally praying that her aunt would return to the room soon.

“I haven’t seen you at many social engagements recently,” Brampton accused.

“I have been busy,” Ursula replied. She studied him warily when he took several steps toward her but couldn’t back away because of the chair beside her.

“Are the rumours true, darling Ursula?”

“Rumours?” she gulped.

“You have been having secret assignations with Calderhill?” Brampton’s voice was as callous as the look in his eyes. “I will tell you now that I don’t like being made a fool of.”

“Why would my seeing anybody make a fool out of you? I have no association with you, and don’t need to explain myself to anyone,” she declared. “Now, if you will excuse me.”

Her elbow was captured in a cruel grip when she turned to leave. She glared at Brampton as she yanked her elbow free. “Unhand me this instant,” she snapped with narrowed eyes. “How dare you?”

Brampton immediately loosened his hold. “I was just preventing you from falling over this,” he murmured blandly. His eyes remained locked with hers as he slowly stepped around her and bent to pick up the fire iron that had fallen onto the rug at her feet.

If she didn’t know better, she would think he quite enjoyed unnerving her. Determined not to allow him to see her shiver, she threw him a dark look as she mentally calculated the distance to the door.

“Is everything alright?” Trenton asked suddenly from beside her. He had stayed away for as long as he could, but when Brampton had started to edge closer to her he just had to step in.

“If you are well, I shall take my leave of you, Miss Proctor,” he murmured huskily. “I shall hope to see you again soon.”

Instead of bowing to her, he lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. However, rather than a perfunctory kiss, he allowed his lips to linger far too long while his gaze remained locked with hers.

Ursula snatched her hand away and scowled at him when he smiled mirthlessly. Her lip actually curled as she turned away but, to her consternation, suddenly found herself face-to-face with Trenton.

Her heart hammered in her throat and a wild flurry of awareness made her shiver.

“Hello, Mr Calderhill,” she murmured politely.

“Miss Proctor,” Trenton growled. He hadn’t realised until that moment just how much he had missed her. Unfortunately he was prevented from saying anything else by the arrival of Barbarella, who chose that moment to sashay over to him.

“Hello, darling Trenton,” Barbarella murmured into his ear once she reached his side.

“Miss Somersby,” Trenton snapped. He placed a hand over hers when she slid it over his cravat and practically threw it away from him as he took a large step away from her. He caught the quick flash of anger in her eyes, but it had little effect on her rather insipid smile which remained pasted on her heavily powdered face. She flicked a disinterested glance at Ursula. “I am sorry I am late,” she continued as though he had been expecting her.

“I didn’t realise you were going to be here tonight,” Trenton growled with acute displeasure. It was on the tip of his tongue to say, ‘or I wouldn’t have come’, but he didn’t say as much aloud. Instead, he plucked Barbarella’s questing hands off his jacket and put some more decorous distance between them. “Am I to take it that you are in your cups again?”

“I beg your pardon?” Barbarella gasped. She immediately stopped leaning on him and drew herself upright as she glared at him in outrage.

“Well, I just wondered given that you don’t appear able to stand up by yourself,” Trenton declared dryly. His lips twitched as he watched indignation flare to life in the scheming madam’s eyes. “Give her a hand, Brampton,” he added with a nod toward Barbarella. “She may need help getting into the dining room.”

The blatant disinterest in his voice was evident to everyone who overheard, including Ursula. He was aware of a few titters from some the guests who heard him, but paid them no attention. Nothing mattered more than getting Ursula away from the conniving minx who had almost ruined his life.

“Saved by the bell,” he murmured to Ursula when the dinner gong sounded in the hallway. He bowed to her and held his elbow out to her. “Please allow me to escort you to dinner, Miss Proctor.”

Stunned, Ursula stared at him for a moment, unsure what she had just witnessed. She nodded absently and, relieved to be able to get away from both Brampton and Barbarella, took the elbow he held out to her.

“I didn’t realise you were going to be here this evening, or we could have taken the same carriage,” Eunice Sinnerton gushed across the table at her as soon as the soup course had been served.

“I came with my Aunt,” Ursula replied politely.

“Of course, of course, but there is room for everyone, I am sure. It would have given us the perfect opportunity to get to know one another,” Eunice Sinnerton declared as though this would be Ursula’s undying wish.

Ursula fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“Tell me, Miss Proctor, how do you like London thus far?” Frederick Beldrum asked from the head of the table.

“It is a wonderful place indeed. So wonderful, in fact, that I have decided to stay a few more weeks.”

“It is Yorkshire you hail from, isn’t it?” Barbarella asked from the opposite end of the table. “It must be a shock to move amongst gentry when you are used to farmers and the like.”

“Miss Proctor and I grew up together. We were neighbours in fact,” Trenton reported. “With farmers and the like,” he added with a patronising smile.

“Will you be in London for Christmas?” Brampton asked.

“I don’t know yet,” Ursula replied honestly. “I should like to experience Christmas in London, but I rather suspect that I shall have to return to Yorkshire.”

“If you wish to stay in London, my dear, then you shall,” Adelaide announced. “Regency Street at Christmas is a sight to behold.”

“Then we shall endeavour to ensure that you receive plenty of invitations so you can see as much of London as possible,” Eunice Sinnerton declared pompously. She leaned forward to whisper theatrically so that everyone might hear. “Christmas is, after all, a time of surprises and the New Year, well, of course, that is a time of new beginnings.” She winked meaningfully and laughed gaily as though she was the epitome of wit.

“I hear you are to be married next year,” Brampton declared challengingly, clearly less than pleased at the news.

Ursula stared at him but, before she could reply, Eunice Sinnerton dropped her spoon and splattered soup all over her dress and the table.

“Oh, no. Drat it. Please take it away,” she leaned back and turned her head while the footman removed the offending bowl.

“Would you like another?” the hostess asked politely.

“No, thank you,” Mrs Sinnerton snapped as she dabbed at the spots on her dress. Suddenly, she looked up and pierced Ursula with a stare. “Do we have the pleasure of knowing who the estimable gentleman is?”

“Pardon?”

“I am sure that we shall endeavour to find out while she is in London,” her son declared quietly.

“Is he from Yorkshire?” Barbarella asked quickly and shared a knowing look with Brampton. Ursula frowned as she watched the interplay. She felt as though everyone knew something she didn’t and hated it.

“Yes, he is,” Trenton declared smoothly and threw Ursula a meaningful look as he took a sip of his wine.

“He is a long standing acquaintance,” Adelaide added and threw a cautionary look across the table at her niece.

Ursula looked from Trenton to Adelaide and shook her head. She hadn’t a clue what everyone was talking about.  It was on the tip of her tongue to announce that she wasn’t engaged to anyone, but her father’s declaration on her last day in Yorkshire hovered over her. She couldn’t deny being engaged now without the risk of lying, just in case her father had accepted the offer he had received for her. 

“Do we have a name for this long standing acquaintance?” Mrs Sinnerton asked. “I take it he is from Agglethorpe too?”

“I am sure that Miss Proctor will tell us who he is in her own good time, won’t you dear?” Frederick Beldrum declared quietly, although the curious look in his eye assured her that he wasn’t going to wait too patiently either.