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Trenton groaned and closed his eyes on curse before he turned around. “Are you following us, Brampton?”
When Ursula tried to walk away, Trenton grabbed hold of her wrist to hold her still. He didn’t care what Brampton thought. If the man put them together in his mind, then he would have no reason to continue to pester Ursula.
“I am just enjoying the morning air.” Brampton sighed. “Although not as much as you it seems.”
“Go away, Brampton,” Trenton snapped.
“I don’t think so. Someone has to preserve this delightful young lady’s reputation.”
“Well, it most certainly won’t be you,” Trenton snorted. “It’s a little like putting a juicy steak in front of a starving dog and not expecting it to eat it.”
Ursula was aware that her head was swivelling back and forth as the men traded insults, but struggled to find a way to intervene.
“I must be going,” she whispered hesitantly. She glanced down at the hold Trenton had on her but he didn’t take the hint.
“No, we must be going,” Trenton corrected her. He knew that if he allowed her to leave the park right now it would probably the last he would see of her until she reached Yorkshire. It was important that he clarify the situation with her father, and enlighten her about what had been agreed.
“You are causing a scandal,” Brampton informed them, and nodded toward a group of ladies walking along the path. “First you release Barbarella from your agreement, Trenton. Then you are gaddi
ng about all of London with her.” He nodded toward Ursula as though she was nothing more than a piece of baggage.
“I had no agreement with Barbarella,” Trenton growled. “Anything she has said to you in that regard is utter nonsense. I have not ever, nor would I ever, offer for Barbarella. God, give me some credit for having taste. She is more your league, not mine.” He drew his gaze up and down Brampton insultingly to make sure that the man knew it was a slight. He then turned toward Ursula and held his arm out in a gentlemanly fashion.
“So the gossips and half of London have got it wrong have they?” Brampton asked, clearly determined not to be thwarted.
“I am afraid they have. Did her father make an announcement? Did he put an advertisement in the broadsheet? Has there ever been an engagement party? No. So I would ask you not to spread scurrilous rumours. Please focus on your own affairs and I use the term ‘affair’ lightly, given your own endeavours.”
Ursula watched Brampton’s face change into something that was hard and almost cruel. He stepped threateningly toward Trenton and, for a moment, she wondered if he was going to start a fight.
“I warn you now not to mess with me, Calderhill,” Brampton snarled.
“Are you threatening me?” Trenton laughed mockingly. “You? London’s notorious wastrel?”
“Can we leave now?” Ursula asked when the air between them became palpable.
“Yes, we can, my dear. Let’s go this way though. You so wanted to walk the Ladies’ Mile that it is a shame to allow anything to ruin our outing,” he growled and escorted Ursula away without a backward look.
“I will bring you down, Trenton,” Brampton warned as they walked away. “You won’t get away with this.”
“What is he talking about?” Ursula asked when they had left Brampton far enough behind that he wouldn’t be able to overhear her.
“I don’t know. I think he may have had plans for you himself, but my presence in your life has thwarted him.”
Ursula mentally cheered but then remembered their earlier argument and frowned at the path beneath their feet. “I think I should like to go back now,” she whispered.
“We need to talk,” Trenton warned as he studied the distance they had yet to walk. If they continued toward the end of the mile they would be closer to his home than Adelaide’s. He looked at the scowl on Ursula’s face, and wondered if she was worried by what she had just witnessed, or still angry at him for their earlier altercation.
“I don’t think there is much to say,” she protested.
“Well, I think you need to listen then because what I have to tell you is important, Ursula. It is about why I have been looking out for you,” he warned. He watched the shadows in her eyes be replaced with curiosity that he knew would aid his cause.
She wanted to ask him whose offer her father had accepted, but then had no intention of marrying the man so didn’t want to ask for fear of appearing interested. She scowled at the skyline ahead of them.
“I have decided not to return to Yorkshire at all,” she informed him pertly. “Unless my father is going to kidnap me and drag me out of Adelaide’s house, I refuse to go back to my father’s. I wish to stay in London indefinitely.”
“I thought you didn’t like the place much?” Trenton frowned.
“I don’t, but it is better than what Yorkshire has to offer,” she declared darkly.
