She saw the balloon before she reached the arched bridge. Constructed of blue and green silk stripes, it was a remarkable sight, one that looked to have attracted most of the inhabitants of Doncaster Hall as well.
Montgomery was standing in a square basket below the tethered balloon. He didn’t wave to her as she stood on the arch of the bridge, but he followed her progress with his gaze.
Her body heated, and her heart began to race. He could do that to her with a look.
When she grew closer, he leaned over the basket and extended his hand to her.
“Have you changed your mind?”
“No,” she said. Her voice came out as a squeak, a fact that annoyed her.
His smile faded. “I wouldn’t put you in danger, Veronica. That I promise.”
“I’ve never been up in a balloon,” she said, glancing up at the huge expanse of silk.
Below the throat of the balloon, supported by four wooden dowels, was a metal box.
“Is that your navigation device?” she asked.
“No, that’s the burner.”
“It’s very loud,” she said.
Before she realized what he was going to do, Montgomery put both hands on her waist and simply lifted her into the basket.
She was already feeling a little queasy, and when he released her, she kept her hands on his arms. “I think I am afraid,” she admitted.
“That’s when you feel the most alive, Veronica,” he said softly. “It means nothing if you go through life without being afraid. What’s important is you’ve stared fear in the face.”
“I’m not entirely certain I’m ready to do that, either.”
He smiled. “You already have. You faced the Society of the Mercaii alone.”
“That wasn’t fear. That was foolishness.”
He smiled at her honesty before moving back and making an adjustment on the burner.
She dropped her hands but didn’t step away. She would have gripped Montgomery around the waist and buried her face against his chest if she could have. She didn’t have a dislike of heights. Nor was it that she lacked any trust in Montgomery. This was a balloon. A balloon, so gigantic it seemed capable of carrying them to the moon.
Montgomery signaled to Ralston.
“Are the riders in position?”
“Yes, Your Lordship,” Ralston said.
“Riders?” Veronica asked.
“I’m going to try to return to Doncaster Hall,” he said, “but if the wind currents are too strong, and we’re blown off course, the riders will be able to pinpoint our landing site. Each has a wagon with him.”
“To carry our unconscious bodies?” she asked in a feeble attempt at humor.
He smiled reassuringly, as if knowing her throat was closing and her stomach trembling. Not to mention the fluttery feeling in her chest that made her wonder if she were going to faint at any moment.
“No, for the envelope and the gondola. And our conscious bodies.”
“We’re not going to be tethered?” Veronica was exceedingly proud of her voice since she no longer squeaked.
“Where’s the fun in that?” He turned and faced her. “If you want to wait here, I’d understand.”
