Wentworth's Baron - Chapter Seventeen - Festivities Begin

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Festivities Begin

The evening of the dinner party finally arrived and as the carriage approached Wentworth Hall, the troupe was in awe at its beauty and landscape.  They marveled at the meticulous gardens.  As they approached the main entrance, each member stepped out of the carriage with heads uplifted at the immenseness of what stood before them.  The stone ornaments and great columns had the same impact upon them as most every guest who visited the great Estate.  As each member wearing their best attire timidly approached the door, Hawthorne made his way directly past them to straight to Alexander.

Upon reading the note bestowed upon him Alexander turned to Wendall and said “My dear boy, I must beg your pardon but I have been called away on urgent business that cannot be put off.  I will leave my carriage here to take you and your company home.  Please accept my humble apologies.”

Wendall, of course, made no objections but was markedly disappointed that Mr. Barrington would not be in attendance.  He had hoped his familiar presence would put him at ease but soon after entering the great Hall any uneasiness was quickly put to rest upon the warm welcome by Lady Wentworth.

“Wendall, I am so happy to see you!  Welcome to Wentworth Hall!”  She greeted each member with the same amount of enthusiasm welcoming her guests with the grace and honor they deserved for their brave rescue of her.  She continued expressing her thankfulness for what they did for her and asked “Why, where is the Baron?” to which Wendall asked “the Baron?”  Lord Wentworth upon hearing this question interjected with a cough “Oh, yes, my dear, please don’t worry yourself on that account.  He received word of some urgent business that could not be held off.  He hopes to return later this evening unless the matter cannot be settled.  Now, my dear let us all go in and begin the evening festivities, shall we?”

Henrietta was disappointed at the news that her ‘Baron’ was not in attendance and felt guilty for denying to see him earlier.  As they made their way to the parlor Wendall was taking it all in and noticed the portrait of Lady Arabella hanging over the fireplace.  “is that ya’mum m’lady?”  Henrietta stopped to look where his attention was drawn and said “why, yes, Wendall, that is Lady Arabella, my mother.”  Wendall looked at her with a somber stare as Lord Wentworth, too, admired the portrait with a calm contemplation.  Suddenly, Polly, one of the members of the troupe blurted “Wendall she has the same color as in your eyes she does!  Ain’t never seen eyes like yours ‘till now.  Come to think of it, Lady Wentworth has a same color.  Blimey, Wendall ain’t that somethin.  Guess its more of ya then we thought eh?”

At this comment, Lord Wentworth looked at Wendall and then his daughter and could not help but notice the resemblance himself although at a loss, he chalked it up to coincidence but through the evening he would frequently study the features of Wendall’s face.  He continuously dismissed whatever thoughts seemed to be privately plaguing him.  He kept telling himself ‘no, it couldn’t be.  Could it?  It’s not possible.’

***

As the evening progressed, Alexander walked the grounds of Wentworth Hall somewhat methodical and taking care to not be seen by the guests through the window.  The sun had gone down by now and he could see that dinner had started.  Henrietta looked radiant in her evening gown.  He wished he could be by her side just now.

He took a seat on one of the stone benches strategically placed throughout the grounds.  After a few moments, though,  something caught his eye to his left.  It was so sudden he wasn’t even sure if he actually saw something.  It was just a glint but he had to be sure.  Sure enough -- there it was again.  He cautiously moved toward where he saw it.  It was good that he was wearing dark clothing which kept him somewhat hidden in the dark.  He was sure now that someone was roaming the grounds.  At first, he thought maybe it was Constable Daniels but he knew Constable Daniels was in the direction of the stables and this person was moving in the opposite direction.  He made his way slowly across the green lawn quickly and quietly making his way behind the topiary.  There was a stir in the bush next to him.  He turned to look and thump!  Alexander fell to the ground.

In the dining hall of Wentworth Hall, just as dessert was being served Hawthorne enters the room and whispers something to Lord Wentworth who immediately excused himself from the table.  Henrietta looked at her father with a note of concern to which he responded “I shall just be a moment dear, please continue in my absence.”  Henrietta was somewhat taken aback as she watched her father leave the room.

Lord Wentworth entered his study just as the footmen brought in Alexander and laid him upon the couch in front of his desk.  “My God man! What happened?  Call for Millie to bring her ointments and tell Hawthorne to call for the doctor immediately!”  Alexander moaned as he raised his hand to his head.  “Lie still, we’ve sent word for the doctor and Millie will bring something to help with the pain.”  Turning to the footmen he asked “what happened?” to which one responded “Constable Daniels was returning from the stables when he noticed a commotion over by the corner of the garden by the entrance to the hedge maze.  He called to us to follow him when we saw a man club the gentlemen over his head and then took off.  Constable told us to get him inside and then took off after the trespasser on foot.  That’s all I know sir.”

Lord Wentworth was not sure what should be done at this point.  Would the Constable catch the man or should he send for reinforcements?  But, before he could decide he heard the commotion in the Great Hall and hurriedly went to see what was afoot.  The dinner party having heard the same disruption converged on the Constable in the Great Hall at the same time as Lord Wentworth.

Standing in the threshold was Constable Daniels holding a tight fisted and bound Sir Lewis Rockingham to the surprise of Lord Wentworth who asked “Sir Lewis? Constable? what is the meaning of this?”  Upon seeing Sir Lewis a surprised Wendell follows by asking “what are you doing here, Sir? You knows Lord Wentworth?”  Lord Wentworth looks at Wendell and asks “How do you know this man?”  “He’s me ‘doptive uncle, sir.  He takes cares of me and me ‘doptive mama, sir.”  A more creative revelation could not have been planned.

Lord Wentworth, directing his attention back to Sir Lewis, said “Constable Daniels please explain.  Let us go into the study.”  Wendall followed closely concerned about Sir Lewis although Henrietta and the others stood dumbfounded and when she finally recovered her senses the men had already retreated behind the doors of Lord Wentworth’s study.

“Well, sir, after I sent the footmen in with Mr. Barrington I ran after this man trying to get away.  When I finally caught up with him I found he had this hack saw.  Upon further inspection, I found that under Mr. Barrington’s carriage the wheel rod had been sawed halfway through.  There is no doubt that this man meant for there to be an accident.”

Lord Wentworth was shocked.  “Sir Lewis what is the meaning of this?  Why would you do such a thing?”

Sir Lewis went off in a burning rage at that and said “Why would I do such a thing?  Well, why do you think?  Wentworth Hall should be mine.  I have worked my whole life with this prospect in mind and I will be flogged if when it finally will be mine there will be an heir for you to leave it to.  Wentworth Hall is mine!”

Lord Wentworth could not believe what he was hearing.  “Wentworth Hall was doomed to bankruptcy without this marriage.  It would belong to no one but the creditors without Henrietta’s marriage.”  Sir Lewis smiled.  “And, who, dear cousin, do you think are the creditors?”  Lord Wentworth looked at his cousin and as if a light went on.  “You mean you caused this?  And Henrietta?  You released her alone in the balloon?  To what ends?”

Sir Lewis sat silently as the Constable urged him to continue but to no avail.  Sir Lewis had said all he was going to say.  Lord Wentworth sat thoughtfully pondering the situation and continued his efforts to get him to talk.  “And how do you know Wendell?  Since when did you adopt a boy?”

Sir Lewis continued his silence.  By now, Alexander had recovered a measure of his senses although obviously still in pain sat up and said “if I may, Sir.”  He flinched slightly and continued.  “I may have some information that you will find most exceptional.”  Sir Lewis eyed Alexander with annoyance.  Lord Wentworth turned to Alexander.  “Yes, well, out with it.”

“Sir, I must admit as should you, that Wendell has a marked resemblance to Henrietta and, well, your wife.  I am quite sure you must have seen it.  I noticed it from the first day I saw the boy at the circus.  Even now look as he stands by the mantel along side your lovely Lady Arabella.”  Lord Wentworth had noticed it but preferred to remain silent on the subject until now.  “His eyes, you are quite correct.  He has Arabella’s eyes and...Henrietta’s eyes”

Alexander continued with his deductions explaining how he came to find that Wendall also has the same dimple over his left shoulder.  Lord Wentworth asked Wendall if he would be so kind as to oblige him and show the men his left shoulder.  Wendall, remaining silent and wide eyed through all of the discussion continued to be so, as if in shock of the discoveries being presented before him.

One look at Wendall’s shoulder revealed the truth.  At that, Lord Wentworth turned reeling at Sir Lewis.  “What is the meaning of this?! You....YOU!  Do you mean to tell me all this time, my son has been alive?!  You knew it!  You caused it!  All these years!?  How could you?!  How could you do such a thing!”

Any composure Sir Lewis maintained seemed to be lost.  He became crazed “How could I?  Wentworth Hall is mine!  Wentworth Hall WILL be mine.  You will not change what has been done!  You will not!  Do you hear me?  You will not!  It makes no difference if the boy is alive or dead.  I will have Wentworth Hall.  It is mine.”  Lord Wentworth motioned to the Constable to remove Sir Lewis to Newgate.  He had heard enough.  To think, his son, who all these years he believed to be dead was alive!  It all makes sense now.  Sir Lewis was there when it happened.  Sir Lewis arranged for the midwife, arranged for the burial when he could not bring himself to do it and at the time he thought out of kindness.  Sir Lewis, who he trusted to manage his finances all this time and managed to make Wentworth Hall appear bankrupt only so he could acquire it!

Lord Wentworth became suddenly aware of the enormousness of the situation and overcome with an onslaught of emotion looked up to see Wendall.  He was just standing there, not sure himself of what just happened, suddenly he became the recipient of Lord Wentworth’s overwhelming embrace to a son he thought was lost to him forever.  His son, who all these years he thought was dead...his heir...his boy...the heir to Wentworth Hall.