She flushed, as her heart began to hammer within her chest, and Montague moved to close the space between them. He gathered her in his arms, pulled her toward him, and delivered unto her lips a kiss so heart-achingly pure that Julia almost wept.
If only this could go on forever, she thought, as she wrapped her arms around Montague's neck, and pulled him nearer to her.
"Counterweight!" Mr Green roared, as the gondola began to sway, "You're both supposed to be acting as counterweights ; resume your previous positions."
Julia took a hasty step back from the marquess, who in turn took up his old position, slightly away from her.
"You said that if I made you fly," he said, "That you would then believe in love. What say you now?"
His eyes were full of hope, the same emotion which stirred in Julia's breast. She thought of her parents, whose dogged determination to see her married at any cost had robbed her of her joy. She then thought of Thomas, who hated the Montagues, but cared not a jot for her either. And she wondered why she had been so willing to give up the man before her for people who merely wished for her to behave as pleased them.
"You told me you would do it in a sennight," Julia teased, and Montague's face fell.
"But," she rushed to continue, "I should have told you the truth; you made me fly the first night I ever met you, Lord Montague, when you kissed me upon my balcony."
"You mean it?"
"Whoever loved that not at first sight?" Julia asked with a smile, and Montague, forgetting all of Mr . Green's previous advice took her into his arms once more.
"Counterweight!" Mr. Green roared, as Montague kissed her hungrily.
They broke apart after another irritated shout from Mr. Green and once they had resumed their positions, the balloonist irritably instructed them to prepare for the descent.
"It shall be bumpy," he warned, "Though even more so, if you both decide to abandon your posts for another amorous embrace."
Julia and Montague behaved themselves as the balloon made its return to earth. When they neared the ground, Mr Green's men began to tether her, and Montague lifted her from the gondola.
"My thanks, Green" Montague called, tipping his hat to their captain.
"All of the vowels, Montague. You promised me before a witness!"
"All of them," Montague agreed, before he took Julia's hand in his to race back across the field.
Once they had returned to The Grand Walk, Julia began to grow nervous. She stank of smoke, was most dishevelled, and was certain she would meet someone she knew.
"Perhaps I should make for the Archbishop's Palace now?" Montague was musing beside her, "And procure a special license. We could be wed by the morning."
"Can we wait, my lord? Julia asked, bowing her head as jovial group passed them, "I should like to tell my parents first, to seek their blessing. Even if they do not give it, I should like to ask for it."
Montague halted, his brow creased into a frown of worry.
"My heart is true," Julia assured him, "I just need time to pack my trousseau. Time to tell Lord Pariseau that his attentions are not welcome. Time to see if my parents..."
She trailed off, knowing full well that her parents would never sanction a union between them.
But she did need to pack.
"I will forewarn my father, if that is the case," Montague decided, "Then we shall tell them together."
"At the masquerade," Julia smiled, "It was intended to be a celebration of my engagement—it can still be so."
"I am not so sure your parents will think me a husband to celebrate," Montague jested.
"They would be wrong," Julia answered, taking his hand for the remainder of the walk.
After a short walk, Montague deposited her at the supper-box, with a promise that he would see her in two nights' time.
"Have your bags packed," he whispered, as he bestowed a kiss upon her forehead, "And be ready to run away with me."
