Wishing for Rainbows

Ursula felt Trenton stiffen beside her. The fierce anger on his face warned her that something had happened he hadn’t told her about yet, and it had something to do with the Sinnertons. He was positively glaring at Mrs Sinnerton as though he hated her, and speared the woman with a stare that conveyed every ounce of his displeasure.

“Afternoon,” he growled discouragingly as he nudged Ursula into a walk.

“Where is your maid?” Mrs Sinnerton demanded loudly, determined not to be ignored. She glanced meaningfully around them to make a point to the numerous people within ear-shot that Ursula was unchaperoned.

Trenton’s temper surged. “If I didn’t know better, Mrs Sinnerton, I would say that you are following us.” He knew he had hit the nail on the head when Mrs Sinnerton’s head jerked toward him, and her eyes flashed in outrage. “First Hyde Park and now here. What are the chances of us choosing to visit the same park at the same time for several days running?”

“It’s a wonderful day for a stroll,” Mrs Sinnerton declared flatly, staring pointedly at Ursula’s hand resting on Trenton’s arm.

Ursula was about to snatch it away when Trenton placed his hand upon Ursula’s, effectively keeping it still. “Please don’t let us keep you then. Enjoy your stroll. Good day.”

“People will talk you know,” Mrs Sinnerton warned when they began to walk away. “It is already the talk of the ton that you are always together. It is quite a scandal.”

“I don’t know why,” Trenton snorted disparagingly. “Both of us are free, and able to socialise as we please. Besides, I have been moving amongst the ton long enough to know that those with the smallest minds will actively encourage the most scurrilous gossip.”

He watched the woman’s face turn positively venomous and realised that there was far more to Mrs Sinnerton than a social climbing, somewhat avaricious mother. He rather suspected that whatever she was hiding wasn’t pleasant, and wondered whether she was the driving force behind Alfred’s ruthless behaviour.

“Given that you haven’t been in London all that long, I don’t suppose you would be aware of that though,” he mused thoughtfully. “Where was it you come from?”

“Somerset,” Mrs Sinnerton snapped with a frown.

“Where in Somerset? I have a few well-connected friends in the county. I am sure they will be pleased to make your acquaintance while you are here, and can regale us with many anecdotes of your activities there.”

Ursula watched the woman’s face turn furtive. The look vanished so swiftly that if she hadn’t been studying the woman closely she would have missed it.

“I heard that it was Todmarsh,” Ursula mused knowing it to be true because she had overheard Mrs Sinnerton say so.

“A nice rural backwater,” he mused, making pointed reference to Mrs Sinnerton’s lack of social status. He glanced around pointedly. “Is Alfred not with you today?”

“I am afraid not. He has business matters to deal with.”

“Oh, that’s odd,” Trenton countered. “I could have sworn I saw him outside Ursula’s house earlier.” His voice dropped to a silken drawl at the same time that his hardened gaze met and held Mrs Sinnerton’s. “Maybe I was mistaken.”

They were about to walk away when Mrs Sinnerton stepped toward them. “I meant to ask you, Miss Proctor, if you intend to go to the Humphrey’s ball tomorrow night?”

Ursula opened her mouth to speak only for Trenton to put himself between her and Mrs Sinnerton. “Yes, we are. I didn’t realise you knew the Humphrey family.”

“Oh, well, we don’t really,” Mrs Sinnerton replied. “I just wondered if you were going to go. I should so like to make your acquaintance there. Alfred has talked about you so much since the dinner the other week that I am sure he will be most pleased to see you there.” It was clear from the somewhat conciliatory tone that she was trying to curry favour, but it held little ground with Ursula.

“Yes, we shall be there. Good day to you.” This time Trenton didn’t wait for the woman to delay them again and wasted no time escorting Ursula to his curricle.

“What was that all about?” she asked when he had handed her aboard and climbed onto the seat beside her.

“I think she is following us. Her and that son of hers,” Trenton growled. He sighed when he realised that he would have to tell her, if only to keep her safe. “I saw Alfred watching the house this morning. He was right at the end of the road and made no attempt to approach, but didn’t try to hide his face either.”

“Well, there is no point trying to hide it given you already saw him last night,” she countered. “Why was he watching Adelaide’s house?”

“He was waiting for you to go for your walk, probably.”

“Do you think he was driving the carriage that nearly knocked me down the other day?” she demanded suddenly feeling chilled at the thought.

“I think it is most likely. It was definitely him who attacked us last night,” Trenton replied rubbing his jaw. “I could do with getting a closer look at him because I landed a few punches last night that are certain to leave bruises.”

Ursula considered that for a moment while Trenton turned the curricle into the traffic.

“If he is badly bruised, he wouldn’t want to be seen up close, would he?” Ursula mused.

Trenton shook his head. She had a point, but he still wanted to get within arm’s reach of the little man, if only so he could place a few choice words in his ear.