Wishing for Rainbows

“Oh, but I am not returning just yet,” she countered. “Aunt Adelaide has asked me if I would like to stay with her for a while longer, and I have accepted.”

“What does your father have to say about it?” he asked. Given his last conversation with Jeremiah, he doubted that the man had even been consulted about the decision, much less been given the opportunity to give his permission.

“Father doesn’t get a say,” Ursula snorted.

His brows shot up. “Are you sure?” He immediately winced when she glared at him.

“I am not some meek mannered miss who needs to be cosseted throughout the day. I am four and twenty, and perfectly capable of making my own mind up about where I want to go thank you very much,” she snapped.

“I am not suggesting otherwise,” Trenton soothed. “It is just that I understand your father gave you one month to find a husband or he would select one for you.”

“I shall do no such thing,” she bit out coldly. “I am not going to be forced up the aisle by my father, or anyone else for that matter. Aunt Adelaide has offered me a place to live. I shall stay there until father sees sense and ceases with his ridiculous notion that I need to be married.”

Trenton knew he had touched on a raw nerve from the outraged look on her face, and lapsed into thoughtful silence while she calmed down.

“Have you informed your father of your decision yet?” he asked after several moments of stilted silence.

She had the good grace to look a little sheepish. “I haven’t written to inform him, no. It has only just been decided. What with the break in last night, and the mystery over the flowers, it completely slipped my mind.”

Trenton suspected she wasn’t telling him the truth but decided not to push. “Well, now that you will be in London for longer, I shall endeavour to show you as much as I can.”

As if to prove his point, he drew the curricle to a stop at the side of the road and handed her down.

“Now, tell me what you think about Covent Garden,” he murmured as he led her through a high brick arch into a huge square that was literally packed full of people.

She gasped and stared about them in rapt wonder. A laugh escaped her when a flower seller held out a small bouquet, asking for a penny a posy. Instinctively shaking her head, she was about to turn away when Trenton handed the old woman a coin.

He bowed and smiled into Ursula’s eyes as he handed her the small bouquet of poses.

“A small token from me to you,” he said as he handed them to her. “At least with me, you know who sent them,” he declared only half-joking.

“They are wonderful, thank you,” she smiled, deeply touched. For some reason this simple gesture meant considerably more to her than the numerous arrangements that kept turning up at Adelaide’s house every day.

“Chestnuts?” he mused wryly.

“Pardon?” She smiled happily, and linked arms with his when he held a gentlemanly elbow out to her.

“Would you like some?” He nodded to the stall holder selling little packets of them and handed him some coins. “Careful; they are hot,” he cautioned as he handed her a packet of the steaming treat.

As they ate, they stopped to watch street performers, artists, and flower sellers trading their wares. The sight, sounds, colours, and utter chaos of the tightly packed square was as overwhelming as it was delightful. She loved every moment of it; mostly because she was able to share it with Trenton.

“How about a walk down the Thames?” he asked once the din had subsided enough for them to speak without having to shout at each other.

“We don’t have to see everything in one day,” she laughed.

“I have a lot to show you,” he mused, not entirely talking about seeing the sights. He nodded to a narrow path that ran alongside the huge river. “Shall we?”

“I would love to,” she replied, and followed him down the narrow steps to the towpath. “I have been longing to walk the Ladies’ Mile in the park since my arrival in London, but Aunt can never be persuaded. It’s wonderful to be outside for a while without having to meet and converse with people.”

“Do you miss Yorkshire?” he asked thoughtfully as they joined the towpath and began to saunter alongside the river. “When I first arrived here, it took some time to get used to the hustle and bustle.”

“I do miss the open spaces, and being able to walk freely without the risk of causing a scandal,” she replied thoughtfully. “I won’t miss the smog though, or smoke.”

She nodded to a barge on the river as it floated slowly past them, chugging out thick black smoke as it went. “It seems a world away from Yorkshire,” she mused.

“It is really,” he replied, not bothered in the least who saw him tug her closer to his side. His attention was focused completely on the delightful woman on his arm. “I must admit that I am looking forward to returning to my estate next month.”

Ursula was shocked by the strength of the disappointment that swept through her upon hearing his words. “You are leaving soon?”