Wentworth's Baron - Chapter Thirteen - The Mask

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The Mask

Henrietta and Victoria arrived at the ball in Lord Wentworth’s carriage at the fashionable hour emerging from the carriage dressed as a gypsies.  She took care to adjust her mask so as not to give anyone an advantage at guessing who she was.  She couldn’t help but feel a little excitement at the great event.

Everyone was dressed in the most elaborate of ways for the event.  She saw sailors, chimney sweepers, flower girls, Egyptians, clowns and a number gypsies like herself and Victoria.  She and Victoria thought it would be fun to go as gypsy ‘twins.’  They were amazed at their appearances once they were dressed.  They really did look alike.  On the way to the masquerade they laughed at the fun they could have pretending to be each other.  While these comments were made in fun, Henrietta could not possibly have known of the confusion that would ensue as they alighted from the carriage that evening.

They entered Toddington Manor and her eyes immediately began scanning the room looking for the Baron.  They had agreed to go as a gypsy pair.  She had no idea there would be so many.  Alexander recognized her immediately.  There was no mistaking her slender form and the curve of her jaw.  The color of her pomona green sarsnet dress complimented her skin very well as she knew it would with its golden hues of jonquil which glistened in the light as she moved about.  He loved the way she wore her hair up with one curl hanging down over that dimpled shoulder.

As he approached her she turned to look the other way and he immediately recognized the dimple in her left shoulder.  There was no mistaking that this gypsy was Henrietta.

Alexander reached out to claim her attention just as Baron Raby came from the opposite direction and stole her away.  The Baron wasted no time in claiming the first two dances which irked Alexander.  What was he thinking?  Why wouldn’t he ask Victoria for the first two dances?

Irritated Alexander turned to go the punch bowl when he bumped into Victoria.  “How very kind you are sir, is that for me?” She asked sweetly.  Alexander looked at her puzzled for a moment and then realizing she was referring to the punch he had just poured and politely offered it to her then proceeded to pour another for himself.  While Victoria began making polite conversation with him, he could not remove his eyes from the dance floor and the sight of the two people dancing the Quadrille.  Henrietta moved across the floor with such grace and elegance moving completely in sync with the orchestra.

Finally, he had no choice but to ask Victoria to join him on the dance floor.  At least he may be able to brush by Henrietta as they moved about him on the floor even if he could not have the privilege of her company during this set.

As they finished with this set, Alexander thanked his partner for the privilege of dancing with him and made his way as quickly as he could to claim the next dance with Henrietta.  He just missed his second opportunity when Edmond approached and ask if Henrietta would give him the pleasure of the next dance.  This dance was the Cotillion.  Alexander was not pleased but he hid it well.  He was determined to get the next dance with Henrietta which was the waltz.  This was somewhat of a consolation because of all the dances, the waltz was the one he looked forward to.

As he and Henrietta moved about the room he did not miss out on this favorable circumstance to pull her as close as possible without causing too much notice by those who considered the waltz inappropriate behavior.  Alexander basked in this opportunity to ‘embrace’ Henrietta as he gazed into those deep green eyes.  He thought about how he might whisk her away out the door to the veranda and into the gardens where he might once again taste the sweetness of her lips against his.  This time he would show her the beauties of the evening in the gardens of Toddington Manor.  He wanted to take her into the hedge maze and ‘get lost.’

He tried to make polite conversation with her but she seemed to pull away.  Hadn’t they agreed to stick together through the events of the night?  He thought she must be feeling uncomfortable because of the events of their last encounter.  They were only minutes away from the fireworks display which he knew she would enjoy.

Just as he was trying to feel her out, his father, Lord Barrington made the announcement that the fireworks would begin and that everyone should make their way outside.  Henrietta walked silently out as Alexander gently guided her from behind.  What could be the matter with her tonight?  She certainly was not the Henrietta he had been accustomed to.  He must find an opportunity to speak privately.  However, once outside, the fireworks exploded with great force.  The colors, exploding into the sky lighting it with brilliant colors of purple, green, blue, white, pink and red with loud and sudden cracks then a delayed boom! echoed through the night air.  Henrietta could not help but be in awe of the display.  As they culminated in one last burst of color, sounds and brilliance signaling the time when they would remove their masks and reveal who they are, Henrietta slipped away.

She still could not stop thinking about her impending nuptials.  She could not deny her feelings for the ‘Baron.’  She still refused to meet Alexander Durham Barrington face-to-face.  Since the arrangements were made and she would be forced to a life with a man she did not love she saw no reason to be in his company any longer than was required.  She would meet him on the day of their wedding and not before.  She was in deep contemplation of this when finally the ‘Baron’ found her and asked if she might enjoy a walk in the gardens where they might ‘unmask’ when the time comes.  Henrietta blushed behind her mask as she was keenly aware of his meaning.  She was angry with him although she had no right to be.  She encouraged their ‘practice’ session as much as he did.  She even wanted it to continue.  She knew she was promised in marriage to another and there was nothing to be done regardless of her feelings being bestowed elsewhere.

She had tried to think of the Baron as just a friend but then her anger at him flared at the thought of him marrying Victoria and not her and she was angry with herself because she couldn't stop thinking of his kisses and the warmth of his touch.  She had felt as if they were the only two people in the world.

What could she do?  The marriage arrangements were done and they were to move on with their lives albeit separately.  All she could do now was hope to keep the friend she so deeply desired.  Besides, she reasoned, Victoria has been her closest and dearest friend for all these years.  She was truly happy for her though sad for herself.  She knew the Baron would make her friend a wonderful husband.  They walked silently into the hedge maze.  Sensing her tension, the ‘Baron’ teased her saying that they should leave ‘bread crumbs’ so they do not lose their way in the maze.  Henrietta was starting to relax feeling very much at ease with her dear ‘friend.’

As they made their way through the pathways he asked her if everything was alright.  She thought about sharing with him how she truly felt about him even amidst her impending ‘imprisonment’ and hurting her dear friend Vicky.  She decided that she did not want ruin what was left of a beautiful night and the freedom she knew would soon come to an end.  He was very intent on raising her spirits and Henrietta began to forget for the moment the event that was occupying her thoughts in a most dreadful way.

She looked at the Baron and felt thankful that she at least had the good fortune to enjoy the attentions of this gentleman at least for a short time and decided to keep these moments close to her heart in the days to come.  As they looked at each other in the moonlit pathway, they heard the announcement to unmask.  Henrietta lifted her hand to begin to remove her mask and was caught by the ‘Baron.’  He held her hand in his lingering for a moment as he leaned down to kiss the lips he had longed to kiss all night, touch the cheek he longed to touch.  He whispered her name in her ear.  He felt her breath against his neck as Henrietta melted against the strength of his body.  He pulled her closer.  The feelings inside her began mounting once more.  She raised her hand to run her fingers through his sandy brown hair.  Henrietta urged him not to stop continuing to encourage each kiss to be longer and more intense.  She knew what she was doing was wrong but she couldn't stop.  She felt free with this man.  She felt safe and protected.  He curled the soft ringlet that hung on that dimpled shoulder around his finger as he moved it to the side.  His lips moved cautiously down her neck, across her shoulder ending at the dimple he found so adorable.

Victoria and Edmond were also walking through the hedge maze when they came upon the them.  Victoria and Edmond had unmasked and stood admiring the two unmasked people embracing who were clearly in love when Victoria suddenly recognized the Baron and tears filled her eyes.

Edmond looked over at her “Victoria, whatever is the matter?”  Victoria wiped the tear that began to fall and said “How could he?”  “How could she?”  Edmond still not perceiving the obvious watched his sister as she made her way back towards the house.  Edmond was torn between approaching the couple or returning with his sister to offer whatever assistance she may need.  He opted to go after his sister.

Victoria quickly went to the coat room with Edmond at her heels.  Victoria asked to be taken right this minute back to Harlaxton as she could not bear another minute.  Edmond, trying to console his sister, said “Victoria you must know that is not possible.  It is late but I promise you we can leave first thing in the morning.  Please tell me what is wrong?”  Lady Sedley seeing her daughter in distress from across the floor entered the coat room at this moment.  “Oh, mama!  He is not interested in me.  I saw them in the garden...together.”

Lady Sedley, not completely understanding the situation, trying to make sense of it led her daughter from the coat room where eyes of the ton were beginning to observe the distraction and they made their way back to Victoria’s room.  Lady Sedley sat her daughter down on the bed.  “Now, Victoria, what is all this about?”  Victoria sobbed.  “Oh, mama I saw him with Henrietta in the garden together.  He said that he was in love with me and that he was going to talk to papa about paying his addresses.”

“Why, Victoria, whoever are you talking about?”  Lady Sedley knew of her daughter’s attachment to Baron Raby and assumed she was talking about him but needed to be sure of the facts.  “Oh, Mama, I saw Baron Raby in the garden with Henrietta!  He was...kissing her.”

Lady Sedley, who was standing above her daughter, sat down next to her and putting her arm around her daughter said “my dear, you must be mistaken for not five minutes before I came across you running to the coatroom I saw Baron Raby in deep conversation with your father in the corner of the assembly hall.”  Victoria looked up over the handkerchief given to her by Edmond at the onset and paused for a moment remembering what she saw in the garden.

“But, I am sure it was Baron Raby.  I have been with him almost the entire night up until the waltz when he asked Henrietta to dance which irked me to the core I might add.  I saw them go out to the veranda during the fireworks.  I tried to go to him but I was sidetracked by Mr. Barrington.  I don’t know what he was all about trying to entice me to go with him privately.  Oh mama, what should I do?  I simply adore Baron Raby and I am sure he feels the same -- that is up until what I just saw.”

Lady Sedley sat thoughtful and called for her lady’s maid to get a note to her husband immediately for they must get to the bottom of this.  Did Baron Raby ask his permission or not?  That would settle this once and for all.  As to why he was in the garden with Henrietta is another matter because Lady Sedley felt sure something was amiss.  She was sure she saw the Baron speaking with her husband just moments before Victoria entered the house crying.