Wishing For Rainbows (Historical Romance) (13 page)

She nodded and could see the wisdom behind his reasoning. During her walks with her Aunt, and indeed throughout many of the social events she had attended during the last month, she had heard all sorts of outrageous snippets about people’s lives that should never be discussed in a public place. It was evident that once the gossips had a piece of news they discussed it openly on a regular basis. It would be an extremely difficult task to stop them, or attempt to tell the truth, and it would indeed be wiser to let the gossip die down of its own accord.

“So are you engaged or not?” she asked with her heart in her eyes.

“No, I am not. Not yet,” he replied but again, didn’t expand. “I am an honourable man, Ursula. I am not the kind of person who would kiss one woman while engaged to another. Once I chose my bride, I shall remain faithful to her until the day death parts us, and shall expect nothing less from her in return.”

“But I thought you had chosen a bride,” she said. “I mean, if you plan to wed next year, surely you have some idea who you are going to offer for?”

Ursula felt her heart blossom to life within her chest to the point that she was positive it was going to burst. It was as though he had just handed her the world only she wasn’t quite sure what to do about it. She wanted to jump up and shout for joy, but daren’t move for fear of destroying the precious moment. Everything teetered on his reply.

Had he already got someone in mind? Could that someone possibly be her? She waited in hope; and gasped when he began to speak.

“I should like to ask you one question, if I may?” he murmured huskily.

Her heart jumped nervously in her chest. Logic warned her that he wasn’t going to ask her
the
question, but hope remained unconfined.

“Why are you so averse to marriage?”

She stared at him for a moment as her hope died. She couldn’t tell him that
he
was the reason she found it impossible to even consider any other man attractive. How could she answer without lying to him?

“I am not averse to marriage at all. I have just never found anyone I wish to spend the rest of my life with.” She chose her words carefully. “You are looking at someone whose admirers are a rogue, and a strange creature who stares a lot and appears to be ruled by his mother.”

Trenton smiled. “You forgot someone.”

“Oh?” She was flustered when she realised he had started to lean toward her.

“Me,” he whispered.

He caught her gasp in the most effective way. Immediately all the yearning within her surged to the surface and refused to be ignored. He hauled her against him with a moan and tipped his head so he could deepen the kiss in the way he had when they had been in the conservatory. It seemed like only yesterday that he had held her in this same hold, yet it also felt as though a lifetime had passed.

Thirsty for more, she began to copy the gentle movements of his mouth. Curiosity and a strange ache deep within drove her on, even when a small voice of caution warned her that this was too much far too soon. Although she had known of Trenton all of her life, she didn’t really know him; the man. Simple day-to-day things like his favourite foods, whether he liked the theatre or dining out, preferred the country to city life; all of it was a total mystery to her. Here, though, wrapped in his strong arms, none of that seemed to matter. Nothing else was as important as the desire that flared to life between them and drew them as close as their clothing would allow.

She gasped when he led her toward the chaise and sat down beside her, then pulled her back into his arms. She couldn’t stop him; didn’t want to stop him, especially given he had just handed her the stars. She wasn’t going to waste a precious moment of the wondrous sensations he was creating within her with such mastery. Not now that they were alone at last, and away from prying eyes.

When her senses began to whirl, she clung to his shoulders and gasped aloud when his lips slid down her neck and stopped to pepper kisses in the hollow at the base of it. Her sigh of longing welcomed him back again when his lips returned to hers. Hands searched and tugged fiercely at clothing in a desperate need to know more. She should stop it; she knew it was folly to enter into anything more right now, especially when there were so many uncertainties around them, but she just couldn’t find the strength or the will to deny either of them. He was answering the call of something deep within her and she knew that whatever the future held, she would never be the same after this afternoon. 

“Ursula,” Trenton growled in disbelief. Nobody had ever driven him to the point that he had forgotten everything before, especially where they were. They were sitting in Adelaide’s house where anybody could walk in, including Adelaide. He tried to pull back but each time he tried, the lure of her moistened lips and the slumberous look of desire in her eyes made it impossible. In an attempt to restore some sanity to the situation, he rested his forehead against hers, but the gentle sweep of her breath against his lips just teased him back down to her again.

“God have mercy,” he murmured gently. His body was already achingly hard. He knew he had pushed his self-control as far as possible. If they didn’t stop soon, denial would be impossible.

Ursula just couldn’t stop though. She had spent her entire life yearning for this moment. Now that he was here, she didn’t want it to end. She wanted more of it; him; and a future together. The relief at the realisation he wasn’t engaged bolstered her courage to take matters into her own hands, especially now that he was a free man. With startling boldness, she gently cupped his face and drew him toward her. Before he could speak, she pressed a tender kiss to his lips and, in doing so, elicited a groan from him that reverberated through them both.

“Let me stay,” he whispered, when he finally found the strength to pull away from her long enough to look down into her eyes. “Adelaide is here, although in bed. I should consider myself honoured if you should allow me to remain with you for the rest of the evening.”

“Only if you agree to dine with me,” she replied softly.

He smiled at her. “I can think of nothing I should like better.”

“That’s settled then,” she whispered moments before his lips lay siege to hers once more.

The following morning she was still smiling. She had spent many hours yesterday wrapped in Trenton’s arms on the chaise in the private sitting room. The desire had only been interrupted by the staff who had arrived to collect and deliver tea trays and, of course, dinner. Apart from that, they had been blissfully alone. They had spent much of the time exchanging childhood memories and discussing Agglethorpe, and whether they should stay in London or return to Yorkshire for Christmas.

She smiled as she remembered their conversation over their intimate dinner for two bathed only in the gentle haze of a solitary candle. The romantic way the meagre light had bathed him in a golden glow had only highlighted the sheer masculinity of his handsomeness. She had been unable to tear her gaze away from him all evening, and had been equally thrilled to note that he appeared to feel the same magnetic pull of attraction neither of them could deny.

By the end of the meal, neither of them had any idea what they had just eaten, but it didn’t really matter. They had resumed their seats on the chaise and sat patiently while the table was cleared before Trenton had set about stealing her senses once more with numerous very thorough kisses.

All in all, it had been just about the most perfect day she had ever had.

She sighed as she bit into some toast in the breakfast room, and watched Isaac slide several envelopes onto the table beside her plate with keen disinterest.

“Should I take Miss Adelaide’s post upstairs to her, miss?” Isaac asked with a bow.

“She is taking breakfast in bed today. Given that she is to remain in bed, I shall take them up to her later, Isaac, thank you,” Ursula replied.

She dropped her toast back onto her plate and picked up the envelopes. Her stomach dropped when she read her father’s familiar scrawl staring back at her. At first she didn’t want to open it. She didn’t want anything to dampen her joy from yesterday, but she had already ignored his previous letters. To continue to do so would push him to do something drastic; like accept the offer he had received for her.

The thought of being forced into marriage to anyone other than Trenton was simply horrifying; especially after what she had shared with him yesterday.

Using her butter knife, she tore open the envelope and slid out the single sheet of parchment. Her hand trembled as she opened it and read the contents.

Ursula,

You have failed to respond to my previous requests that you inform me of your intentions. I therefore demand that you return to Yorkshire this instant. I have endeavoured to accept the offer I have received for you. Your presence is required in Yorkshire to discuss arrangements for your forthcoming nuptials.

Your father,

Jeremiah Proctor.

Ursula dropped the summons onto the table as though it was about to reach up and strike her. She stared down at it in disgust and tried to decide what to do. In that moment, she almost hated her father for his ridiculous dictates, but struggled to find a way to get it through to him that he wasn’t going to force her into marriage.

Determined not to allow anything to ruin her relationship to Trenton, she ignored the remainder of her breakfast and hurried into the sitting room. The hasty note she scribbled had several crossings out due to the raw fury that raged through her, but she didn’t care. Her father could think, and do, what he liked. She wasn’t going to be summoned back to Yorkshire like some recalcitrant child. He had no business accepting an offer for her hand. She wasn’t a mare at the horse market and wasn’t going to be sold off to anyone.

When she was finished, she quickly tucked the letter into an envelope, addressed it, and rang for Isaac.

“See that this is sent off immediately, please,” she replied crisply. “No! Wait!” she gasped and stared at the envelope thoughtfully for several moments. “No, I shall take it myself. Is there a maid available who can come with me to post this? I should quite like a stroll this morning, but would prefer Adelaide to remain in bed.”

“Of course miss, I shall send for Molly right away,” Isaac reported with a bow.

With nothing else to do except wait for the arrival of the maid, Ursula turned her attention to the second letter in the pile. Before she got a chance to open it, the maid arrived.

With one last glare at the remaining post, she snatched up the letter to her father and preceded the maid out of the door.

Ursula walked down the street with her back ram-rod straight and her shoulders squared in militant defiance. It was only when a young nanny ushered a worried little boy out of her path that she became aware of the way people were skirting around her and staring at her warily.

She sucked in a deep breath and forced herself to slow her walk and relax. It took effort but, when she did, she began to savour the warmth of the sunshine on her face, and the freedom of being outdoors for once. She hadn’t realised before just how liberating it was to be able to walk where she wanted. Given Adelaide still wasn’t well enough to participate in her regular morning walk, Ursula had the day free to do as she wished, and she thoroughly intended to enjoy her newfound freedom as much as possible. 

“It’s a wonderful day, is it not, Molly?” Ursula called over her shoulder once her anger had faded.

“Yes, miss,” the maid dutifully mumbled.

“You do realise that you shouldn’t converse with your maid while you are walking, don’t you?” Brampton suddenly murmured into her ear.

Ursula shivered at the warm brush of his breath against her ear, but it was more with alarm than sensual awareness. She glared at him. “Oh? Why not? She is a person, isn’t she?”

After the other day, she felt strangely averse to the overly familiar way Brampton felt able to approach her. It was far too possessive than was polite for relative strangers, and something she intended to put a stop to as soon as possible.

“It just isn’t done,” Brampton countered. “However, given you are not entirely familiar with London’s eccentricities just yet, I am sure you will be forgiven.”

Ursula didn’t deign to reply.

“I haven’t seen you out and about recently,” Brampton continued, undeterred by her lack of inclination to pass the time of day with him. “Have you not been well, or have you been avoiding me?”

She was painfully aware of the curious looks they were attracting, but was more worried about what Trenton would think than committing any social faux pas.

“I am fine, thank you. Just a little busy, that’s all,” she replied crisply.

She stopped to cross the road, hoping he would have to continue walking, but he didn’t. By the time there was a gap in the traffic, Brampton had his elbow out in a gentlemanly fashion that was at odds with his satisfactory smirk. She eyed his elbow hesitantly. If she didn’t take it, she would snub him. If she took it, she would give the gossips something to talk about.

“Thank you, but I am perfectly capable of walking across the road,” she reported and proceeded to do just that.

“I am sure you are, Ursula.” Brampton frowned off into the distance for a moment. “How is your Aunt? Is she in good health?”

“She is well, thank you,” she replied, wishing he would go away. “I am here now,” she reported from the posting office doorway. “Thank you for your escort. I am sure you have things to do, so I shall bid you a good day.”

“Not really,” Brampton replied cheerily, clearly determined not to be dismissed so easily. “I shall wait around to escort you home.”

“That will be alright. I am not heading straight home,” she replied, wondering where Trenton was. “Please don’t let me keep you.”

“I rather suspect that I have upset you in some way,” Brampton declared, having followed her into the mailing room.

“Really?” She asked with a frown. “I hardly see how you get that impression,” she sniffed and turned her attention to the man behind the counter.

To her consternation, Brampton lingered far too close for comfort and watched her post her letter like a hawk. Even to the point that he craned his neck to see who the letter was addressed to as she passed it over the counter. She frowned at him but he didn’t take the hint, merely smiled at her with a rather calculating look in his eye.

Like a dog trotting after a juicy bone, he followed her all the way out of the posting office and even had the audacity to accompany her back across the road. As soon as she reached the pavement, she turned to him, thoroughly annoyed, and determined to rid herself of him once and for all, no matter how rude she had to be.

“Thank you, once again, but I am perfectly capable of finding my own way now. Good day to you,” she said crisply and flicked him a rather insincere smile. “Come along, Molly,” she snapped.

As she turned away she saw his brows lift in surprise, but didn’t bother to wait to hear what he had to say. At the end of the road, she glanced back down the road and heaved a sigh of relief to see that Brampton had taken the hint and not followed them.

“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.”