Wishing For Rainbows (Historical Romance) (5 page)

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.

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 have 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?”

“Already onto it,” Brampton replied, and handed both ladies a glass of Ratafia. “I understand your friend, Lady van Debere, is waiting to meet with you,” he murmured to Adelaide. He bowed over Ursula’s hand and looked straight into her eyes. “I take it you have enjoyed the flowers?”

“They were from you?” she gasped in astonishment.

Brampton hesitated. “Pardon?”

Ursula froze and wondered if she had misheard him. “Flowers?” she asked awkwardly.

“On the Ladies’ Mile,” Brampton prompted. “I take it you managed to walk the mile the other day?”

Somewhat disappointed, Ursula heaved a sigh. “We didn’t get that far, I am afraid.”

“Maybe next time,” Brampton smiled. Ignoring Trenton, who was glowering at him in disgust, he nodded toward the dance card dangling from Ursula’s wrist. “I should be obliged if you would consider dancing with me this evening?”

Ursula threw Adelaide a cautious glance. She knew her aunt wanted to object but, before she could do so, Brampton had written his name against two dances.

Trenton shifted and made a note to speak with the man the first chance he got. “Isn’t that Lady Abbey over there?” he drawled, aware that Lady Abbey was Brampton’s current lover. The furtive look Brampton threw him assured Trenton that his suspicions were not unfounded. Trenton lifted his brows. “I am sure she would be delighted to make your acquaintance – again,” he drawled.

“I think I saw your fiancé over by the stairs a while ago,” Brampton countered. “I am sure she will be looking for you about now.”

Trenton opened his mouth to put the record straight but, before he could say anything, Adelaide began to tug Ursula over to her friends.

“Please excuse us. I see an acquaintance I must speak to,” she murmured absently while scanning the crowd.

Ursula found herself across the room before she got the chance to even look at either Brampton or Trenton again. Just the mention of Trenton’s fiancé being present at the ball filled her with curiosity and dread at the same time. It was bad enough knowing that the object of her childhood affections was engaged. To have to witness them together right here, this evening, made her want to leave.

To her surprise, as soon as Adelaide joined her friends, Ursula realised that Trenton had followed them across the room. She jumped when he stopped directly in front of her and stared at her challengingly.

“Flowers?” Trenton demanded with a frown.

Her spine straightened at the way he was glaring at her as though she had done something wrong. “I have received an arrangement of flowers from a secret admirer; several arrangements, in fact. What of it?”

“You think Brampton is the sender?” Trenton demanded incredulously. He tried to keep his voice low for fear of starting nefarious gossip, but it was damned difficult. Right now he wanted to shake the details out of her and kiss that aloof expression off her face.

If he was honest, he was not just angry at Brampton. He was annoyed that Barbarella had dared to turn up tonight. He had hoped she would have the dignity to keep her head down for a while. Given that she had ignored her father and chosen to attend the ball anyway, it was down to him now to ensure that Ursula didn’t cross paths with the wretched witch. In addition to that, Brampton was sniffing around Ursula. It made him want to punch the man right on the nose, warn Barbarella to keep her distance, and march Ursula straight home.

“Are you sure they were from Brampton?” he demanded, mainly because Brampton hadn’t been known to go to any expense on a woman before. A man like him took; he rarely gave. It made no sense that he had gone to such lengths for Ursula; unless he wanted something from her. The thought of that annoyed the hell out of him and made his voice far sharper than he intended when he spoke to Ursula.

“I-I don’t know. There was no name attached.”

“When did you receive them?” Trenton knew it was none of his business, and his relentless pursuit of the facts had drawn the curious stares of Adelaide and her friends, but he didn’t care. He had to get to the truth before matters went any further.

“They started to arrive the other week, why?”

“Started to arrive? Am I to take it that there have been more of them since then?”

“Why? Do I take it that some sort of crime has been committed?” Ursula asked instead of answering him. 

“No, it is just uncharacteristic behaviour for Brampton. If someone sends flowers for over a week and doesn’t make their acquaintance, something is wrong somewhere,” he warned. He wondered if he would be better off carting Brampton around the back and punching him until he admitted sending them.

“What could be wrong with someone sending me flowers?”

“Just be careful about receiving gifts from strangers, Ursula. This is London after all. It is full of disreputable types who shouldn’t be trusted.”

“Does that include you?” she asked before she realised how offensive that sounded.

Rather than reply, he studied her thoughtfully a moment. He was spared having to speak past his temper by the arrival of a rather buxom blonde. As she pressed herself wantonly against Trenton’s side, she speared Ursula with a look that could have frozen her on the spot and then turned her rather sultry attention back to Trenton.