Page 59 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

Evie flung herself at him and held on tight, which was a little shocking but hardly surprising in the circumstances. August was only amazed the lot of them weren’t hysterical. He felt a little hysterical himself as he turned on his sister, who had emerged from beneath the sacking she’d hidden under.

22nd April 1841, High Above The Royal Gardens, Vauxhall, London.

“Dear me, I cannot understand how the balloon got free when it was so securely tethered. It’s never happened before.” Mr Green looked most indignant. “And no doubt there will be the devil to pay from my customers. It costs a pretty penny for a flight like this, you understand.”

Evie wondered how much a pretty penny was, but did not like to ask. Anna Lane-Fox had no such scruples.

“How much?” she demanded with interest.

“Twenty-one pounds for men and ten pounds ten shillings for women,” Mr Green replied.

Mr Demarteau whistled in appreciation of the small fortune. Louis glowered at Mr Green. “I will pay you double that, provided you get us down in one piece,” he said darkly.

Mr Green’s eyebrows went up. “Done,” he said at once.

Evie laughed.

“I believe it might be worth even that price, for it is glorious,” Mr Demarteau breathed in wonder as he gazed down at England spread beneath them like a beautiful patchwork in every shade of green known to man. “Look, Louis,” he said, turning back to his brother.

Louis shook his head and didn’t budge from the centre of the gondola. He looked rather green himself. Evie felt embarrassed and somewhat foolish now for the way she had mauled him, but honestly, she had been terrified. The shock of finding herself airborne had been bad enough, but watching Louis holding on to a rope over the side had been simply appalling. The relief of seeing him whole and beside her had been so overwhelming she’d quite forgotten herself. Now, though, the terror was fading somewhat, replaced by awe at the beauty surrounding them. It was, as Mr Demarteau had said, perfectly glorious. They floated in utter peace, as gently as the tiny wisps of cloud in an otherwise blue sky. If not for the fact it was exceedingly cold, it was wonderful.

“Stop dithering and come and see. It’s astonishing,” Louis’ brother called, gesturing to them to move away from the centre of the gondola and look over the side.

Evie took a nervous step closer to the edge, but Louis shot out his hand and grasped her arm.

“Don’t you dare,” he said, tugging her closer.

“We’re up here now,” Evie replied gently, aware he was fretting. “We may as well enjoy it.”

“Enjoy it?” Louis retorted, looking somewhat outraged.

Mr Demarteau turned to study his brother in consternation. “Mon Dieu, Louis. Surely… you cannot tell me you’re afraid of heights?”

His brother found this utterly hysterical and went off into whoops.

Louis muttered something in French that sounded exceedingly rude and most uncomplimentary.

“Well, he has a point,” Evie teased gently. “I mean, you climbed up to the rafters at the Fancy Fair without batting an eyelid, and you hung onto that rope over the side in mid-air too, and that didn’t seem to bother you.”

“Ce n'est pas pareil! That was within my control,” Louis growled unhappily, his accent far more audible than usual. “If I fell, it was my own damn fault. This… this feels like being at the mercy of a gust of wind. I dislike being at anyone’s mercy.” He rubbed the back of his neck irritably and Evie regarded him with concern, realising he really was wretched. Though she knew she ought not, she took his hand, lacing their fingers together, and held on tight. He was her friend, after all, and in need of comforting.

“It’s all right,” she said softly. “Mr Green has done hundreds and hundreds of these flights. He even flew all the way to Germany. Can you imagine it? We will be fine, I promise.”

Louis stared at her, his blue eyes electric.

“You’re not afraid,” he observed with a little huff of laughter. “My, Little Miss Stay at Home is enjoying herself.”

Evie’s lips quirked. “Well, I would not have chosen to come up, certainly not in these circumstances, but now we’re here.” She turned and gazed out around them. “Yes! Yes, I am enjoying myself. Though I wish it were not so dreadfully c-cold.”

She shivered, and Louis frowned. “Come here.”

He pulled her against him, her back to his chest, and wrapped his arms about her waist, resting his head atop hers. It was dreadfully scandalous and quite inappropriate, but August and Vivien only had eyes for each other, Anna was obviously a scandal all by herself, and his brother would be unlikely to say anything. Only Mr Green might tattle, and she suspected customers willing to pay double for a safe landing could be assured of discretion. Besides which, the heat of Louis’ body radiated from him, warming her, and she relaxed into his embrace. Louis sighed, some of the tension leaving him as he held her. It felt good to be enveloped so securely in his arms. Evie stared about them. The beauty of England was simply breath-taking, with its dark forests nestled snug upon velvet pastures and twisting silver blue skeins of rivers unravelled around them, glittering in the sun.

“I shall never forget this,” she whispered, leaning her head upon Louis’ shoulder, filled with a sense of wonder and wellbeing of the like she had never known. “Not so long as I live.”

Louis’ arms tightened about her. “Moi non plus, ma petite. Jamais.”

Evie smiled, pleased he felt the same now, despite his concern. She tilted her head to look at him, finding his blue gaze warm, if not entirely relaxed.