241 241

After driving for another twenty minutes they came within the city limits of Lutterworth.  The city itself was the same one they had left some time before when they had arrived in the area.  The whole town was built from this attractive Victorian stone. Although parts of the stones were crumbling off the buildings as more modern structures had been built next to them.  It made Ellie feel sad to see that the beauty was crumbling away. She turned to Henry as she turned the car. "Maybe we could set up a historic preservation fund in the city in addition to the foundation.  I know that I won't have anything to contribute to them for a couple years. I hope they have other places where some help could come from."

Henry shrugged.  "I have some experiences when I did a study abroad trip for a village in Africa to teach them more economical ways to build.  I'm not sure there's much even I could do before I my time runs out with you. It would have to be properly restored because of the building codes.  It's a shame that the richer folks who live in the city don't understand the value of these historic properties."

As the car drew deeper into the city center they could see pedestrians pointing at them.  The older couples joggings with weights paused in their tracks to stop and stare. A pair of small children jumped off the swings they were on to run close to the road.  Ellie parked by the church and got out, feeling uncomfortable with the pull of the crowd so close to her. Henry was a little afraid that people would be snapping pictures with phones, but he found the people were mostly polite.  Ellie's unease faded as people began to comment on her resemblance to her father, the late Baron. She remembered how she used to do this with her father and began to coddle a baby before handing it over to Henry. Henry paused, the baby staring at him with enormous eyes before fidgeting in his arms.  He began to bob a little awkwardly until the baby settled and started laughing. Henry started laughing as well and the crowd around them echoed their enchantment. Ellie looked to Henry and was glad that even though he was not noble in blood, he definitely was in action.

Ellie continued to speak with the locals about the problems needed addressing.  Henry returned the baby before pulling Ellie from the crowd with a pageant wave.  Everyone moved back as they moved towards the church. In the middle of the crowd a small boy ran out from between his mother's legs, he had a whole trail of balloons that he wrapped around Henry's wrist quickly before darting back.  His mother tapped his head, explaining quickly. "He's shy. They're for you to come by our bakery as you're a big businessman and he think that you'll take him to America to work at your big company."

"I think he's a bit young to be working." Henry looked up at the red balloons above him and felt the unlimited potential that the people thought they were being brought.  The common folk really wanted their situation to be improved upon by their new lady. He was happy to be standing here with Ellie as it reminded him that this was similar to his father's touch with the Chinese immigrants in the city.  She was trying so hard and it was paying off that they were noticing her efforts. It warmed him that she was being embraced by the community. He really hoped by summer, that when he was no longer here that they would take care of her--like he had people in New York who made sure that he didn't have to watch his back.

It was a shame that he couldn't do more to them. He unwrapped some of the balloons from around his wrist and let their height vary as he wished he was innocent as the child who had brought them to him.  It wouldn't be pretty when their Baroness announced that the man she had come will had abandoned her? He wouldn't he bere to defend himself, but strangely he didn't care. He doubted that Ellie would let anyone speak negatively of him when he wasn't around.  Henry wasn't even sure that she would let it be known that there was no Baron left. Maybe she would just let people make up a story. Maybe it would be spread that he died of some incurable disease somewhere or had gone to an ashram in India. He wondered too if she would have a new man in her life soon to take his place and not explain.  That would probably be kindest to both him and her people here. It was quite a ladylike thing to do.

As they walked under the main steple of the church, Henry felt a little strange that he was holding a bundle of balloons.  He wondered what to do. Henry poked his head in the direction of the open church doors. "Do you want to head inside to have a look?  I can stay outside as I have some balloon friends to keep me company. I have no idea what I'm going to do with these."

"Not a chance, you're trying to stay away from the eyes of God aren't you.  I'm not religious, but my father was. I think he'd have a laughing fit if you brought a load of balloons into the church." She smiled mischievously and pointed the key fob in the direction of the car before locking it loudly. She took his wrist and wish a soft pull began to drag him inside of the church.  It was strangely exciting to him that she could think that her small strength could overpower his. But, he didn't want to ruin her moment so he took her hand and rubbed his thumb against the back of her hand.  He wanted her to remember that he was here for her if she got emotional.