Wishing for Rainbows

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.