Wishing For Rainbows (Historical Romance) (4 page)

“Oh, Good Lord,” she murmured when her attention was captured by a rather ebullient lady who was charging toward them with all the enthusiasm of an excited cocker spaniel.

“Hello there, Adelaide. How are you today?” the woman gushed before either Ursula or Adelaide could move to avoid her. She rudely shouldered her way between Ursula and her aunt, and fell into step beside Adelaide as though she had every right to do so. “I was hoping to meet with you.”

“Oh?” Adelaide’s face remained a façade of politeness but her tone was less than inviting. The coolness of her response would have warned anyone familiar with social strictures not to be so forthright in their manner. Unfortunately, Eunice Sinnerton didn’t have the wisdom to heed the warning, and continued in her overly familiar way that made even Ursula cringe.

“I was so sorry to have missed you at the recital yesterday. It was such a wonderful evening, do you not think? I assured Mildred that her skills are second to none. I told her that I should be obliged if she would grace my music room at the first available opportunity.” She smiled as though she had achieved a major coup. “I shall endeavour to ensure you receive an invitation.”

“My diary is quite full for the foreseeable future, thank you,” Adelaide replied with a sniff.

“Nonsense, I shall not take no for an answer. I am sure you can find room for a recital in your busy schedule,” Eunice persisted. “You too, Miss Proctor. I am sure you would delight in an evening of refinement.”

Ursula gasped and felt Adelaide jerk at the slight. The shocked look on her face would have warned even the most stalwart matriarch within the
ton
that their words were offensive, but Eunice still appeared oblivious. She had turned her attention to two people sauntering behind them, and yanked the young man around until he was blocking Adelaide’s path.

“I don’t believe you have met my son, Alfred,” Eunice declared proudly. Her smile suddenly vanished, and she nodded curtly to the young woman still behind Ursula. “That’s Hyacinth. She is a product of my husband’s first marriage, but we do what we can. Don’t mind her.”

Ursula gasped in horror and looked at Hyacinth in dismay.

“Come along, Ursula,” Adelaide declared with a curt nod at Eunice.

Ursula nodded politely to Hyacinth, and couldn’t help but feel sorry for her being related to such an awful woman as Eunice Sinnerton. Thankfully she was spared having to reply by Adelaide, who tugged on her arm and drew her away from the group, ignoring the fact that Mrs Sinnerton was still detailing Alfred’s many attributes.

Ursula fervently hoped Mrs Sinnerton would take the hint and pester somebody else. Unfortunately, she didn’t. She followed them, and continued to regale them with effusive comments about her wonderful son while completely ignoring Hyacinth. 

“Alfred had something to say, didn’t you Alfred?” Eunice suddenly declared loudly, pushing her son around until he was blocking Ursula’s path, forcing her to stop.

“What? Oh, yes,” Alfred stammered, looking somewhat confused for a moment.

“Yes?” Ursula asked in her most unwelcoming manner.

“I-I take it you are enjoying London, Miss Proctor?” he stuttered awkwardly.

Ursula saw nervousness in the smaller man’s eyes and immediately felt sorry for him. He shouldn’t have approached her without a formal introduction, but she couldn’t bring herself to slight him. Although he tried to hide it, she knew that he would prefer to be anywhere else. Given his mother’s rather uncouth behaviour, she could understand why. She gave him a sympathetic smile but, to her consternation it seemed to make him even more uncomfortable.

“Very much so, thank you,” she replied coolly. She realised then that his mother had not given him a title. She looked at Mrs Sinnerton, and sighed with dismay at the proud smile on the woman’s avaricious face.

“Are you going to the Browning’s dinner tomorrow night?” Alfred asked suddenly.

“Yes, I believe we have accepted the invitation.” Ursula looked at her aunt who nodded once. The last thing either of them wanted to do was give Eunice any information but they couldn’t lie to her either.

“Well, I hope we can further our acquaintance then.” He bowed and, out of nowhere, suddenly seemed to get some gumption. With a dismissive glance at his mother, he stood upright, straightened his thin shoulders and looked at Ursula almost challengingly. “Do you like the outdoors, Miss Proctor?”

She stared at him blankly for a moment. “Pardon?”

“I see you taking a morning stroll practically every day. Do you prefer the outdoors? I have reason to understand you hail from Yorkshire. You must yearn for the peace and quiet of rural life. You should take a walk in the park. The flowers are wonderful there at this time of year.”

Before Ursula could reply, Eunice stepped forward.

“That’s right,” she gushed as she elbowed her way between Ursula and Alfred. “You are neighbours with Lord Blomsbury, are you not?”

“That’s correct,” Ursula replied warily.

“So you must know their eldest son, Lord, oh, what’s his name now?” she frowned at the floor thoughtfully, clearly waiting for someone to enlighten her.

Ursula and Adelaide were spared having to respond by the arrival of another gentleman, who approached the group with an air of supreme arrogance. Ursula frowned when Alfred’s words registered on her but, before she could ask him if he had sent the posies, Adelaide urged her to start walking.

“We must keep walking,” Adelaide muttered, aware that one was required to walk while one talked.

It was the height of bad manners to stand and converse on the pavement. Unsurprisingly though, Eunice Sinnerton appeared completely oblivious to the dark looks of disapproval they were drawing from several, quiet influential people who passed in their carriages.

Glad to do just that, Ursula linked arms with her aunt again, completely ignoring the new arrival.

“Oh, Adelaide!” Mrs Sinnerton called when the stranger blocked her from following.

“
Well, really
,” Adelaide muttered, and nodded toward the rather dour matrons who frowned upon Eunice’s uncouth behaviour as they rumbled past. “Must that woman be so familiar, and so loud?”

“How long have you known her?” Ursula whispered.

“Exactly?” Adelaide lifted her brows and looked at her niece. “Since the recital yesterday.”

Ursula stared at her aunt in disbelief.

“I don’t believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance,” a smooth voice suddenly rumbled in Ursula’s ear.

“Oh, I say, Adelaide?” Eunice called as she forged a path through the crowd and came hurrying after them.

“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?