Wentworth's Baron - Chapter Fourteen - The Ascension

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The Ascension

Blasted!  Screamed Sir Lewis as he landed face first into the swan fountain of Toddington Manor.  He could hear the comments of those passing by as he remained face down, rump up in the cold water that was ever so soothing after such a blasted mishap.

Sir Lewis had the bright idea to send the fireworks in the direction of Henrietta and her “beau” and in the process of rearranging the candles one of the fuses wouldn’t light properly and he leaned over just as the fuse lit.  Sir Lewis jumped back catching the candle tip in his cravat as the fuse continued to burn.  Thus, necessitating his dip into the nearest fountain.  He had heard more than enough comments regarding the size of his ‘rump’ and became even more determined to see his plan through.  We will see whose rump should be roasted once I am Lord of Wentworth Hall!

While continuing to ponder his next move Sir Lewis sees the opportunity he was looking for.  Henrietta was admiring the balloon that was set to ascend.  He thought if he could somehow trap her in it and cut the sandbags -- off she would go.  The guests wanted to see a balloon ascension and what a great opportunity.  Sir Lewis ducked behind a bush and waited to see if she would actually enter the basket.

Henrietta finally was able to steal a couple of moments to herself.  She needed to compose herself after her walk in the hedge maze.  What was she going to do.  There was no doubt about her feelings for the ‘Baron.’  She had fallen in love with this man.  He made her feel protected and safe.  She thought he must feel the same about her.  She had not seen Victoria since before the fireworks display and wondered if she and the Baron were off somewhere together.  So far, the scandal they so wanted to procure seemed illusive to this evening’s events.  She may not even be able to pull it off.  She felt so forlorn at the thought of living her life with a man she was not in love with and knowing the man she did love was married to her closest friend.  She may as well unmask and do as her father asked.

No!  She thought with a renewed determination.  She would see it through.  She was not going to meet this Alexander Barrington until the wedding.  She even took care as to avoid the portrait room where the family portraits were displayed because she was determined to stand her ground.

As she continued to walk along pondering her predicament there in front of her was the most awesome sight she ever had beheld.  It was the balloon with its massive envelope with the burner hot underneath.  It was amazing and colorful.  She thought of how beautiful it would be to view tomorrow in the light when it is scheduled to ascend for the guests.  She was in awe of how massive it was compared to the small basket where the burner was and where the pilot and passengers would be.

Henrietta couldn’t wait until tomorrow.  She thought that since it was tied down it wouldn’t hurt to just take a peek inside to see what it was like.  She opened the side door of the basket and stepped in.  The basket was replete with red velvet cushioned seating for the passengers and pilot. She looked up inside the envelope.  It was hard to see much because it was dark but it reminded her of the big top tent from the circus.  At that she remembered Wendell and thought to go look for him.  No doubt he would be practicing for tomorrow’s show.

Just as she was turning to step back out of the basket, the door was shut by a dark figure.  The basket wobbled as the balloon began to be released of the sandbags that held it down.  Henrietta felt a sharp stab of fear deep in her stomach.  She yelled “what are you doing!   Stop, I am in here!  Please!  Don’t release the balloon!  Please stop!”  Her yelling began to raise to the level of sharp shrieks as she felt the balloon begin to rise.  The feeling of liftoff was like nothing she had experienced before.  She was terrified at the thought of being alone on this ascension.  Terror engulfed her completely.  Piercing cries for help rang out as the balloon slowly continued to ascend.

As she slightly leaned over she could see the dark figure standing there watching her but she could not make out who it was.  Her cries for help were heard by the ‘Baron’ as well as others and he took off running in her direction.  In what seemed like seconds he grabbed onto the rope that was still dangling off the basket and tried to pull it down to no avail.  Others also joined in the attempt to pull it down to earth as Henrietta began to feel the effects of her panic and lapsed into silence at what was happening around her.

The ‘Baron’ knew they would not be able to pull the balloon down so instead of letting go like the others whose good attempts failed he began to climb the rope.  He must get to Henrietta and calm her.  Her shrieking subsided and he could only assume she may have fainted from the trauma.  Finally, he reached the basket and proceeded to pull himself up but lost his grip and was hanging on the side with one arm.  The onlookers gasped in fear of what would befall this brave man.  Henrietta heard the cries below and looked up and saw the Baron attempting to pull himself over.  She ran to the side and grabbed his free arm and helped pull him over after a couple more failed attempts.  At last he was here with her.  He immediately pulled her close to him.  He was not going to ever let her go.  She, too, pressed herself to his chest longing for the comfort of his embrace as tears fell down her cheeks.

“I don’t know why that man did this.” she sobbed.  “what man?  you mean someone forced you in here?”  “No, I saw the balloon just sitting there and I was curious to know what it looked like on the inside and I just stepped in for a moment but then as I turned to leave, someone closed the basket and cut the sandbags.  Oh...” she continued in uncontrollable sobs.  She put her head down against him again “what are we to do?”  He pulled her close and they sat down.

Truth be told.  Alexander aka the ‘Baron’ did not know how they were going to get out of this.  What he did know is that he was not going let this lovely lady he adores to be harmed in any way.  He tightened his hold around her.  Henrietta felt his strength and his warmth.  She didn’t realize how cold it was.  It seemed the balloon continued in the same direction.  It must be the direction of the wind.  Thankfully it seemed they were no longer rising.  Alexander and Henrietta stood up to look below.  They were over a large field.  The view was spectacular.  Under normal circumstances, with a pilot that is, one very well could enjoy a ride such as this.  Thankfully, the moon was full and it was a clear night.  Henrietta and Alexander stood holding each other still wearing their masks in silence.  It was as if unspoken words of comfort passed between them.  Neither knew what was going to happen to them or how they would get out of this.

Henrietta looked up at her Baron as he bent his head to kiss her.  His kisses were soft and calming.  Henrietta kissed him back.  His kisses became more full as he pulled her as close to him as he could.

She felt as though this may be their last moment together maybe even their last moment of breath.  She could think of nothing except the need to be with him and only him.  She didn’t want him to stop.  She no longer felt the cold.  All she felt were his arms as they enveloped her; his breath on her cheek and the softness of his mouth as he continued to kiss her tears and her fears away.  The very ground was shaking below their feet and it seemed like the earth was shattering around them when they realized they were not on the ground and what was shaking was the basket holding them above the earth!

Alexander came to his senses and looked below and there was Wendell and his troupe with their horses matching pace with the balloon above them.  Henrietta gasped “what are they trying to do?”  They watched as the troupe positioned themselves each one below a rope.  Then, on queue as if in a performance they all stood up on the back of their mount continuing at the same pace.  Henrietta could not believe what she saw.  She was terrified at the thought of what might happen.

Wendell yelled up to them “don’t you worry now m’lady...we done this trick many times jus ’a bit diffrnt than this here situation.  Hold on cuz it may be a bit rough”  With that, after a few more strides and a series of whistles the troupe simultaneously jumped in the air towards the rope ahead of them and grabbed on.  The balloon jolted in a downward direction.  Now, as they were all hanging on the ropes below the basket, the horses continued to match pace.  Wendell motioned and they all lowered themselves to the end of the rope wrapping their hands around the ends to get a good grip.  With a whistle, the horses positioned themselves under their trainer and as they continued.  The weight of the five men succeeded in pulling the balloon down to where the troupe could tie the ropes around the saddle horn of each horse and with that, slowly they brought the balloon to a halt.

The pilot along with a number of guests including Lord and Lady Barrington, Lady Sedley, the Marquess, the Baron Neville de Raby and Lord Wentworth.  They saw the entire rescue from the rear and came to the aid of the troupe in pulling the balloon to the ground and securing it once again to the ground.

Everyone was in awe of the spectacular scene that emerged before them.  “What heroism!” exclaimed Lady Sedley.  Alexander and Henrietta were helped out of the basket by the pilot who, although was relieved at the result of no one being hurt, was quite vexed at the fact that this lady took it upon herself to get into such a predicament in the first place.  Whatever was she thinking entering the basket unattended?

Alexander assured Lady and Lord Barrington that they were quite alright as did Henrietta when her father came running toward them.  “Come my dear.  We must get you inside immediately to your room.”  “But, father, I must speak with Wendell, first.”

“There will be time enough for that.  We must get you back to the house and warmed up.”  He thanked the troupe warmly as he gently urged his daughter into his carriage and they left immediately for the house.  Henrietta, however, was not as chilled as her father thought she would be.  She remembered the warmth she felt during that balloon trip across the countryside.  She couldn’t help but smile at the remembrance.  Then, she remembered he was to be married to Victoria and she was to be married to Alexander Barrington!