Wentworth's Baron - Chapter Nineteen - What Now?

CHAPTER NINETEEN

What Now?

Henrietta woke up late the next morning and at first wasn’t sure if she remembered a dream or something real.  She sat up in her bed chamber thinking of yesterday’s events.  What would the ‘Baron’ think?  Surely, he would be as pleased as she was.  How could he not be?  It’s not like Wendell was an illegitimate child.  She thought of her dear departed mama whom she could barely remember now.  She thought of how she felt when her father told her that her mother had passed.  Suddenly, it occurred to her why didn’t her father tell her of her brother?  Why did he not tell her that her mother was with child?  Why was it such a big secret?  All these questions and more were running through her mind.  She must have these questions answered.  She began to feel a bit angered at her father for keeping such important information from her but at the same time, knowing her father, he must have had good reason.

By the time Henrietta joined her father for breakfast the group had already departed for their journey to Bath.  Henrietta was saddened to learn that Wendell had decided to join them.  Lord Wentworth, although seemingly chipper, was also saddened by this.  Lord Wentworth told his daughter that Wendell chose to return because it was all so very sudden for everyone and he felt it best to let some time pass to let it all sink in.  Henrietta could not disagree.

After a few moments passed she said “Father, why is it that you never told me about my brother?  Why did you keep it hidden all these years?”  Lord Wentworth looked solemnly at his daughter for a few moments before responding.

“Well, I own it was a mistake, I know.  But, you see Henrietta I was so lost and heartbroken I could not bear to speak of it.”  Henrietta saw her father’s eyes begin to glisten and moved closer to him.  “At first, I told myself I needed some time to get over it myself and then I would tell you.  Then, time passed and it never seemed to be the right time and I never seemed to ‘get over it’ and now it has come to this.  I know much time has passed, my dear, but to me it is still as fresh as yesterday.”  At that, her father stopped and just sat staring at the portrait above the mantel.  Any anger Henrietta felt towards her father lifted for she knew well of his pain all these years.  “Father” she said.  “Let us not speak of it anymore, for now we have found a great blessing indeed; where we thought we had lost, we have found, is it not so?”  Lord Wentworth put his arm around his daughter and kissed the top of her head.  “Yes, my dear, a great blessing indeed!”

After sitting a few moments together in quiet contemplation, with a deep breath Lord Wentworth stood up, turned and looked at her and said “Well, now what are we to do about your upcoming nuptials?”  With everything that has happened Henrietta had not thought of her own situation but now at the reminder of her father she remembered the reservations she had this morning about how to bring the news to the ‘Baron.’

“Oh, papa!  What will he say? What if he doesn’t want to marry me now?”  Her father looked startled.  “What?  Not marry you?  Why ever would he not marry you?”  Henrietta choked back a tear and said “why because it may appear as though there is a cover up of some sort or people may say Wendell is illegitimate?”  Lord Wentworth roared.  “Illegitimate?  Henrietta where do you come up with such nonsense!  Everyone can see the uncanny resemblance between you and Wendell and your mother for that matter and if I call him my son I can’t imagine anyone else claiming he is not!  I daresay child how you can spin a story in your head!  I have no doubt Al... that is, I mean, the ‘Baron’ will have no problem and you may find him to be very accepting of Wendell when all is said and done.”

Henrietta was sobered at these comments of her father and couldn’t help but feel a little silly over her earlier fears.  Of course, her father was right. Where was Baron Raby anyway?  Now she was beginning to feel a little anxious because she remembered she hadn’t seen him since he was called away on business.

At Harlaxton, many preparations were being made for the impending wedding to take place as soon as may be arranged.  While, Alexander was busy securing a special license with the Archbishop of Canterbury because a reading of the banns would not be possible, Victoria took care of arranging the wedding supper and to secure Henrietta’s wedding gown -- to the dismay of Alexander.  “You most certainly will not see the dress before the wedding!  Even if I need to stay away from Henny until the day of her wedding I know she will forgive me once she learns of the pains I took on her behalf.”

Alexander could never have imagined the complexities of arranging a wedding in such a short time.  Victoria, with her incessant demands about how the wedding should be planned and what arrangements would be made and what should and should not be worn.  “I must do this for Henny.  It’s the least I can do after having avoided her for so long most reluctantly I might add.  She will be pleased once everything comes out I am sure.  You must make sure to have the servants deliver the dress.  Promise me!”  Alexander was actually grateful for Victoria’s help even though his patience was tried on many occasion.

As Alexander made his way to St. Georges to finalize the date and time of the wedding he could not help but feel insecure about leaving the truth to be found out on their wedding day.  Would she truly see the humor in it as her father seemed to think?  Alexander longed to see her.  He had not had the opportunity to see her for what seemed an eternity and could not wait to be done with the day’s activity so he could take her for a ride in his curricle but then thought his carriage may be the better choice.

Alexander arrived to pick Henrietta up for an afternoon ride in his carriage.  It seemed an age since they had a moment alone together.  Henrietta looked radiant.  As soon as they were away he wrapped his arms around her waist and was immediately attentive to her left earlobe to which she started to giggle.  “I have so much I need to tell you.”  Alexander stopped his attentions but remained inches from her face.  “Oh?  What has happened?”  He asked lazily.

Henrietta looked at him somewhat amused at how playful and handsome he looked and couldn’t help but fall prey to yet more of his attentions as he kissed her lips softly as the carriage swayed them to and fro.  Whatever it was she needed to tell him seemed lost as Henrietta basked in the tenderness of his lips as she allowed his tongue to part her lips and mingle with hers.

She could not explain these sensations he was creating within her at each new encounter but only felt a longing that she wanted more.  He held her so close she felt breathless as his caresses continued to urge her forward toward something.  She felt full of joy at his gentle manner and the thought that she would soon be his wife urged her on.  She took his hand in hers intertwining their fingers and, as if instinctively, she placed his hand upon her breast.  The deep sound of his voice caught in his throat at the pleasure of the softness he felt there.  The slow movements of his hands as he gently coaxed them to firmness delighted her with new sensations.  She wanted still more and found herself suddenly lifted and straddling his lap.  She looked deep into her intended’s eyes and kissed him hard.  She was lost in her beloved’s arms as the carriage slowed to a halt and Alexander stopped and slowly placed her back down beside him as she adjusted her gown just as the carriage door opened and the steps were dropped for them to exit.

It was no small feat for them to remain as if nothing occurred between them during their short drive through the countryside to the park where Alexander arranged for an afternoon of entertainment.  Henrietta could barely contain her desire to pull him to the ground and continue delighting in his kisses.  As if feeling the same intense desire, Alexander pulled her close to him, took her hands in his and kissed them.  “One more day, my love, and all will be revealed.”

“Revealed!”  Henrietta burst out.   “I had something I wanted to talk to you about and...well...you know we got distracted” she smiled coyly.  “Oh, yes, what is it that you wanted to talk to about,” said Alexander as they moved toward the park bench under a beautiful dogwood tree.

Henrietta started out a bit apprehensively “Well, how do I put this.  You know, we had Wendell and his troupe for our dinner the other night, which you still need to make up for missing, I might add.”  Alexander nodded, “yes, my dear, I am very sorry to have missed it.  Go on.”  Henrietta continued, “well, it turns out, Wendell is my brother!”  Alexander tried to look surprised without letting on that he knew which he seemed to pull off because Henrietta continued on with her story of the events of the night as Alexander listened intently.

“So, dear, what do you think?  Is it a bad thing to have a long lost brother found but who still wishes to live his life in the circus?”

Alexander sat for a moment and then responded, “Bad?  Of course, not!  I think it wonderful you and your father have found him!  More importantly, though, now we have found the person responsible for your ascension into the skies I think it to be very good news indeed!”