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“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 h
ave 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.
