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“Until we know more, make sure Isaac doesn’t let them into the house. Stay inside where it is safe. I will come by for you later.”
“Are we still alright to go on our picnic?” she asked with a frown. She hated the thought of the Sinnerton’s stopping her spending time with Trenton.
Trenton nodded. “I have somewhere in mind where they wouldn’t dare start any of their shenanigans.” He pecked her on the cheek. “Too many witnesses,” he whispered knowingly. Before she could ask him where he was taking her he rendered her helpless with a very thorough kiss, then nudged her back into the warmth of the house. “Go back to bed and try to get some sleep while you can. I will see you later.”
The sultry promise in his voice made her shiver, and she smiled as she did as instructed. She remained where she was and watched him stop at the back gate. He motioned for her to go back inside and lock the door, clearly not prepared to leave until she did as instructed. By the time she had locked and bolted the door, and raced to the study window for one final wave, he had gone.
With a soft smile, she wandered back upstairs to bed, blushing a little as she remembered the liberties she had allowed him to take last night and, well, most of the morning in fact. Positive that she wouldn’t be able to get any sleep, she snuggled down beneath the covers anyway. Within seconds she was fast asleep.
Trenton let himself out of the back gate and glanced up and down the narrow alleyway. Thankfully, the smog had largely cleared but had left everything bathed in a gentle early-morning haze that hid him from the curious gazes of other pedestrians. Outside, in the cold, was the last place he wanted to be right now, but he had to go home to change so he could start his day.
Last night had gone far better than he had ever hoped. He was delighted with the way his relationship with Ursula was progressing. There were still matters they needed to clear up but he could take the opportunity
to discuss the rest of Jeremiah’s scheming with her at the picnic. Until then, he had to be content with the knowledge that he had just secured his future; and it was looking a very happy one indeed.
Relieved, he began to whistle a jaunty tune as he walked home.
He reached his front door without incident, but it was only when he closed the door behind him and slid the bolt home that he realised he couldn’t remember anything about the journey home. His thoughts had been focused on the delectable young woman who was now very much a part of his life.
He yawned widely and thought about going to bed, but the pressing need to do one more task before he slept was too strong to ignore. It would be impossible to settle until he had written the promised letter to Jeremiah to explain about Ursula’s need to remain in London. It was important to him that he inform Jeremiah that his association with Ursula progressing nicely, and he would escort Ursula back to Yorkshire in time for Christmas. Hopefully by then they would have some delightful news to share. He added a note at the end to ask if he had ever heard of someone called Sinnerton from Somerset, signed the missive, sealed it and then settled back in his chair with a contented sigh.
Minutes later, weary, and aching from his bruises, he settled into bed. The scent of flowery perfume Ursula wore immediately settled around him and seemed to soothe his aching bruises. It was the next best thing to having the woman herself beside him, and with another huge yawn, he promptly fell asleep.
By the time he woke up again, had consumed a quick breakfast and was ready to leave it was closer to noon than eleven. He cursed bitterly as he raced up the front steps at Adelaide’s house and knocked on the front door. While he waited for Isaac to answer it, he turned around to study his curricle. It was laden with blankets, picnic baskets, and enough food to feed a small army, and would be more than enough to ensure they enjoyed the day. His staff had excelled themselves, and he was eager now to get the second phase of his plan into operation to seduce Ursula into accepting the idea of marriage to him.
While he listened to the door being unlocked, he glanced up and down the road. Immediately his gaze landed on a solitary figure standing beneath one of the street lamps at the end of the road. He didn’t need to venture too close to know exactly who it was. Unfortunately, he also knew that if he made his way toward Sinnerton, the man would most probably vanish before he could get anywhere near him.
Trenton sighed and ran his gaze over the area carefully for any sign of Mrs Sinnerton, or her daughter. Although he didn’t see the nondescript black carriage, or Alfred’s relatives, he suspected they were in the area somewhere.
In that moment, Isaac opened the door. Disgusted at the lack of opportunity speak to Alfred. Trenton scowled as he stepped inside.
Ursula hurried down the stairs and heaved a sigh of relief when she saw Trenton step into the hallway. She had been growing concerned that he had forgotten all about their outing. Now that he was here though, her disquiet eased. That is, until she noticed the somewhat fierce expression on his face and the deep scowl on his brow.
“Good morning,” she murmured and watched him bow almost too formally given the intimacies they had shared yesterday.
“Good morning, Ursula. Are you ready to go?”
She nodded and waited for him to open the door. Once she was out in the curricle, she was more convinced than ever that something was definitely amiss.
“I hope our outing isn’t putting you out too much,” she said quietly.
“It isn’t. I have just been a little busy this morning.” His answer was vague mainly because his attention was focused on the spot further down the street where Sinnerton had been standing.
She watched him study the road on either side of them as he climbed into the curricle beside her.
“Did you see Sinnerton on your way home this morning?” she asked quietly.
Trenton studied her thoughtfully. He didn’t want the thought of Sinnerton watching the house to steal her enjoyment of the day. While he didn’t want to lie to her, he didn’t see much point in worrying her unduly either. When he realised she was still waiting for him to speak, he shook his head.
“No, not this morning.” Guilt immediately assailed him. It felt as though some indefinable distance between them had started to open up and he hated it.
“How are your bruises this morning?” she asked as she studied the slightly darker patches on his handsome cheek. Now that she was closer to him she could see the slight bruises along the edge of his jaw. They weren’t too bad, but noticeable if you looked for them.
“They are fine. He didn’t hit me hard enough to do any damage,” he assured her.
He turned his attention to guiding the curricle into the traffic and allowed the silence to settle over them for a moment. Immediately, his thoughts turned toward Sinnerton. While the man hadn’t approached him or the house, or challenged him in any way since last night, he had made it clear that he was watching. Why though? If he was after Trenton, or wanted something from him, why wasn’t he watching Trenton’s house instead? Was he threatening Ursula in the hope of pressuring Trenton for something? If he wanted Ursula for some reason, why hit her over the head on the towpath? None of it made any sense whatsoever and he rather suspected he wasn’t going to get to the bottom of things until he spoke with Sinnerton personally.
Ursula suspected there was something he wasn’t telling her. However, without pressing for details she had no idea what to ask him.
