Wentworth's Baron - Chapter One - Lady Henrietta Wentworth

CHAPTER ONE

Lady Henrietta Maria Wentworth

Lady Henrietta Wentworth, daughter of William Wentworth, the Earl of Stratford sat in the garden near her favorite patch of lavender which she helped her mother plant when she was a young girl.  She could hear the soft movement of the trees as they swayed in the afternoon air.  She felt as though it would rain soon and she was rarely wrong.  There was the faint smell of wet grass in the air and the sky was becoming silver out over the parklands that edged her father’s estate.

This was her favorite time of the day.  She so enjoyed the time when she could be free of her daily duties of caring for her father’s estate while he was away to London on business.  She enjoyed the smell of the air as the wind blew across her face.  She tugged at the chestnut colored ringlet clinging to her rosy cheek.  She decided a brisk walk across the gardens and into the adjoining parklands was a good idea.  It was always so invigorating right before it rained.

She thought about what her life would be like had she chosen to accept one of the many offers she had received since her come out.  She received as many offers as any young lady could hope for but she could not bring herself to accept one.  If she should marry, she wanted to marry a man she loved and one that could respect her independence.  A man that did not mind that she had opinions and could match his riding skills on a hunt.

Since losing her mother when she was just a young girl, understandably she assumed the role as Lady of Wentworth Hall since her father had not remarried.  Her father, not having any other children, treated her both as his delicate daughter and the son he never had.  Henrietta could ride and hunt as well as any of her male counterparts.  She was well known in Worcester for her hoydenish ways and independent spirit.  She would race her father’s curricle down the long drive leading to Wentworth Hall barely missing the gatehouse whenever her father would allow her to handle the reigns.  She knew how to handle the horses well and it was more often than not that Lord Wentworth thought he may have indulged her a little too much.

It was hoped that a London season would help her to expand her prospects to those who did not know her.  To her father’s dismay, Henrietta was not able to contain the independence she had enjoyed all her life and the suitors who offered were of the set that was only interested in her 15,000 pounds.

Thus, Henrietta continued as she was, managing her father's estate content in the knowledge life would continue as it has always been.  In fact, she preferred her life now as opposed to marriage to a man she did not love and who did not love her.

She felt thankful that her father was not intent on requiring her to marry because it was her duty to make a good match.  He was not of the breed that was harsh in his ways.  Lord Wentworth was very mild in nature at least to his daughter Henrietta.

Henrietta continued her walk along the open meadow keenly aware of the impending rain careful to not go too far in case she misjudged how much time she had before it started.

While she enjoyed this ‘independence’ she imagined someone who could appreciate her independent spirit and wondered if there was such a man out there.  She dreamt as all females do, how their eyes would meet, there would be a moment of knowing silence shared between them as if they were communicating their thoughts, dreams and ambitions through unuttered words, with that one meaningful stare.  There would be no denying that they were meant to be together.  This man would offer to dance after a proper introduction, of course.  He would bow, never removing his eyes from her gaze.  They would engage in soft, comfortable conversation about more than idle gossip and the latest scandal.

Henrietta could not get past her fear of marrying someone out of duty and then meeting him.  The one she could truly be equal partners with.  She could not fathom the thought of being married to a man she did not love.  “Oh posh!” her friends would say.  They all married well in society but Henrietta could not be settled with mere contentment.  She wanted more.  She wanted to share the essence of her being with the man she would marry and she wanted to know he felt the same.  “How is it possible to truly know a person when following the dictates of today’s society,” she wondered.  Henrietta was starting to become agitated at these thoughts and she began to feel very thankful that her father would not make her marry someone she did not love.  What was she even going on about.  She was happy just as she was.  She didn’t need a man in her life.  She was perfectly content with managing her father’s estate and keeping busy with her favorite activities of self-improvement and perfecting all her accomplishments.

Wasn’t she admired by all for the beautiful way in which she played the harp?  Her voice when she sang captivated those in attendance with its almost angelic tone.  She was also known for her talents with watercolors and her feather-work was particularly brilliant.  To that end her father allowed her to maintain an aviary with many exotic birds to keep her supplied with needed feathers in addition to the peacocks, pheasants and swans that roamed freely about the estate.

As she continued along in this train of thought she noticed a person walking towards her.  At first she wasn’t quite sure what she should do because she was alone without Becky, her abigail.  It was her custom to walk the grounds of her father’s estate alone since she was a young child.  The fact that she was about to meet someone for the first time while alone on the grounds made her feel a bit uneasy.

There was no way to avoid it.  He had seen her and was making his way towards her waving his hand.  He seemed to be a gentlemen attired in the latest fashion of the day sporting a smart tan great coat and top hat.  What she would say she did not have a clue but she had no alternative but to make the best of it.

“Hello there!” this person waved toward her direction.  “I say, I seem to have lost the way during my walk about the estate I am visiting.  I daresay I am quite turned about.”  Henrietta heaved a sigh of relief that went undetected and proceeded to explain that the gentleman was currently on the grounds of Wentworth Hall.

“Wentworth Hall you say?  How in the dickens have I made such a blunder.  I was out walking, exploring the grounds of Harlaxton House and I seem to have gotten completely turned around.”

Henrietta eyed him suspiciously because she was quite aware of the extent of the grounds of Harlaxton House and found it hard to believe someone could have strayed so far from the main house.  In fact, just the other day, Henrietta called on Lady Sedley and her daughter Victoria, who was her good friend since childhood, and they informed her they would be taking a small party to Bath for a few weeks.  Who was this ‘guest’ and who was he staying with?

Henrietta tactfully broached the subject stating she was unaware that there was anyone at Harlaxton since Lady Sedley just recently informed her of the family’s departure to Bath.  As if this information was irrelevant, he dismissed her assertions with, “oh, yes, rightly so.  I was informed of Lord Sedley’s impending departure when I wrote to advise him of my arrival.  He assured me that I may stay at the family estate while I conduct my business regardless of the family’s absence,” adding that Lady Sedley and his mother have known each other since infancy.

Henrietta thought it strange that this is the first time she has ever laid eyes on this man seeing as though he has known the Sedley’s for so long.  For she felt sure she would have remembered such a handsome face.  Nonetheless, Henrietta proceeded to invite him to continue with her to the house to take tea as the custom was.

“I should be delighted to take tea with you,” he said.

Henrietta could not help but steal glimpses of this man as he continued to walk slowly beside her matching her pace.  In fact, she was currently in contemplation of his well-shaped thighs as he walked beside her.  She noticed how they flexed with each movement.  She blushed at her thoughts and wondered how it was that a man she just met could elicit such a reaction.  As if he simultaneously discerned her uncomfortable demeanor, he stopped abruptly and said with a smile, “shall I make your acquaintance before we proceed any further?  I am Baron Neville de Raby of...er...The Earl of Westmoreland.”

She couldn’t help but wonder at the way he held himself as he made his introductions.  While he did somewhat falter as he ‘announced’ himself, Henrietta concluded it must have been due to the awkwardness of their situation and admired what she viewed as the perfect form as he made his bow in front of her.  His well shaped shoulders did not escape her notice.  She followed his lead with the customary curtsy. “And I, The Lady Henrietta Maria Wentworth, daughter of William Wentworth, The Earl of Stratford.”

She, too, felt a little awkward at this formal yet informal mode of introductions as it were.  Young ladies were supposed to be introduced to gentlemen via a mutual acquaintance.  However, seeing as they were without such means as society dictates, it seemed most appropriate to make the introductions themselves.

At this, Baron Raby offered his arm to the lady he found so intriguing with her dark, auburn hair and bright, almond-shaped, green eyes.  Those eyes were of a color he had never encountered before.  Such a rich, clear shade of emerald green.

Henrietta blushed as their eyes met which was not something she was accustomed to.  She quickly attempted to check herself and averted her eyes to the side.  This blush, however fleeting, did not escape the notice of the Baron.  What an interesting young lady he thought.  He was not unaware of what a young lady's blush inferred and was compelled to know her better.

So it came about that the two proceeded on across the meadow through to the splendid knot gardens of Wentworth Hall.  The Baron was impressed at the beauty yet simplicity of the gardens.  He inquired as to the arrangements around the small fountains and admired the statuettes intermingled amongst the lawns and gardens.  He thought the grounds very grand indeed.  He wondered at how he had never made the acquaintance of such a lovely creature until now.  After all, hasn’t he been the catch of the season for the past few years?

He found himself caught up in his thoughts when he realized Henrietta was inquiring as to the length of his visit to the adjoining estate to which he responded, “I had intended to only stay a few days but I see now that I may be delayed from returning due to...business that I only recently became aware of.” Thus, ending this sentence with an intent stare into those deep green eyes peeking over at him.

A moment passed as Henrietta delayed her response wondering if her interpretation of his meaning of the ‘business’ he recently became aware of had something to do with her.  She decided to put this notion out of her mind for the present and smiled sweetly saying, “I am sure my father would welcome the opportunity to add another gentleman to his hunting party seeing as there are not many in this province to choose from.  He is well known in the province for his hunting dogs.  They say he has the best in the area.”

The Baron smiled in acknowledgment as they reached the outer veranda of Wentworth Hall.  The Baron admired the immensity of the mansion before him.  It was a great Hall indeed.  It was three stories high including the lower level.  There were great stone pillars at the entrance of the mansion holding up the stone engraved pediment.  As they moved toward the great staircase leading up to the main entrance he paused for a moment to take in the grandeur of the stone ornaments aligning the top of the great house.  The inscription on the pediment “mea gloria fides” or faith is my glory caught his attention as well as the stone engravings above the letters.

Henrietta continued inside with all the grace and ease of home.  The Baron lingered for a moment before entering as he noticed the deer grazing off in the distance under the trees that lined the front gardens.  The Baron thought he very well might like to engage in the hunting party if Lord Wentworth were so inclined to offer such an invitation as his daughter seemed to imply would happily be forthcoming.

Henrietta paused upon entering to give direction to the butler as they made their way in towards the parlor.  Upon entering the great Hall, the Baron took note of the stone engraved mantle piece above the fireplace and the great staircase leading up to the Parlor.

Henrietta, too, was busy taking in the magnificence but not of Wentworth Hall.  She was taking in the magnificence of this man who appeared before her with his sandy brown hair and pale blue eyes that seemed like a reflection off of clear blue water.  She admired the confident way he carried himself as they emerged the great staircase before them.

Upon entering the parlor she immediately pulled the bell to order their refreshments as they made their way across the room.  The room was filled with great wall paintings and tapestries hung upon crimson walls that were trimmed in gold.

Baron Raby admired the view from the window out over the knot garden they had just came through noting the symmetry of the herbs and evergreens which were enhanced by the colors of the roses.  The hedges were so eloquently preened to produce the desired effect of a maze.

From a young age the Baron appreciated the beauty in creation and the talents of the designer.  In fact, there was one creation he was particularly interested in so he immediately turned his attention back to her ‘symmetry’ and engaged in polite conversation until such time as Lord Wentworth appeared in the room.