The Earl, the Lady and the Song of Love by Fanny Finch
Chapter 11
Three hours later and only one to go until dinner, Imogen found herself pacing the drawing room.
She was in a wreck of nerves, worse than she had been that afternoon. It was as though, as the hour neared, her fears increased. All the ugly words that Alicia had said to her the last time they had tea continued to ring in her ears.
No matter how many times Imogen tried to tell herself she wasn’t any of those things, that Alicia was wrong, she did not believe it.
She was a wallflower. She was bland and boring and no man in his right mind would find her interesting. She would live an old and lonely life, dying as a spinster. Her story would be told to young ladies as a lesson. They would be warned not to be boring, lest they end up like the poor Miss Hartford.
Yes, she could see it all play out. It was exactly what would become of her, she was certain.
“If you keep doing that, you are not only going to get a headache, but you also are going to give me one.”
She rocked to a stop upon hearing her brother’s voice. Eyes widened, she turned to him. He was by the door, resting his shoulder against the wall, arms crossed, one leg crooked in front of the other.
“Lewis! When did you come in?”
He lifted in a small shrug. “A short while ago. You did not seem to notice me. I thought I would just watch quietly.”
Imogen flushed. She had not realized that she had an audience.
“Nervous?” Lewis asked.
She bit her lips as she nodded. “Very,” she blurted. “Oh dear, I fear I might not be able to speak a word when I see him. I am too worried as it is.”
She sat down then, and Lewis came to her.
“What worries you, Imogen?” he asked softly as he sat by her side.
Imogen heaved a sigh.
“The fact that I do not know how to stop being shy around strangers. I fear I would not be able to make conversation and would only end up boring the man. As Alicia said, I am bland. What do I know anyway? Books and poetry? Music and painting? How many men are interested in those things?”
“I am,” Lewis replied, not missing a beat.
She eyed him. “You are my brother. You do not count.”
He lifted a hand to his chest, feigning mock hurt. “Ouch. That hurt.”
Imogen hit him playfully with her elbow, resisting the smile that tugged at her lips when he cried out louder.
“Ouch! Now, that really hurt.”
“No, it did not! You are smiling.”
“You would be too, if you just let go.” He pointed to the corners of her mouth. “Why are you holding yourself back?”
“Because if I give in, you would have succeeded in making me feel better.”
His lips stretched further into a grin. “Looks like I already did. You do not look so sad, anymore.”
Imogen let go then, knowing it was no use, continuing to fight it.
“I do not feel sad anymore,” she muttered, avoiding his gaze.
She did feel better. Just having him by her side made her feel calm.
“I am glad you do not. Now listen while I tell you this. Make certain every word goes right to your heart and stays there, alright?”
She nodded, wondering what it was he wanted to tell her. She soon found out as he began.
“You, Imogen, are the most amazing lady I know. And no, I am not just saying this because you are my sister, I am saying it because it is the truth. You are intelligent, lovely, quick-witted, and gifted. You have read more books than I can ever hope to read in my life. You have almost just as much knowledge as any man who has traveled the world does.”
He took her hands in his. “The only difference is you have not experienced the outside world for yourself. You make me laugh, keep up with my troubles. You see through my jests and understand words I do not say. What is more? You paint the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen. I enjoy spending time with you because you are such a delight, my dear Imogen. If I ever found a lady like you, I would marry her without a second thought.”
“Lewis . . .” she muttered, her voice breaking from all the overwhelming emotions she felt.
Her heart was so full, she wanted to cry. If she had ever had any doubt, it was gone. Lewis was the best brother in the entire world.
He reached for her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ears. “Now, tell me, why would any man in his right senses call you boring? If this Lord Kensington does not see you for the wonder you are, then good riddance. Who wants a blind oaf for a husband, anyway?”
Imogen broke into a chuckle, rightly amused.
“Father says he is a decent man. Let us not hasten to make opinions of him, shall we?”
Lewis smiled at her. “Precisely, my dear sister. You should not be so quick to think he will find you boring before meeting him. He is a decent man. At least, a trustworthy business associate.”
“You have met him?”
Lewis nodded. “A handful of times.”
Imogen eyes twinkled at the thought. “Tell me, is he handsome? Is he tall, what color are his eyes?”
“Tsk, tsk. Patience, little one. You shall see for yourself very soon. In the meantime, free your mind of worries, will you? Miss Alicia was wrong about you. Utterly so.”
Imogen threw her arms around him then, hugging him tight, and he hugged her even tighter.
“Thank you, Lewis. Sometimes, I wonder what I would do without you.”
She felt his laughter rumble through him. “I shall do well to remind you of these words in the near future.”
Her smile deepened. “I do not doubt it.”
They remained that way for a moment longer and silence reigned. It was Imogen who broke it.
“Thank you, Lewis. For your support. Your words did go right to my heart.”
“Good,” he replied. “Good.”
Just then, someone appeared at the door.
Aware that they were no longer alone, they broke apart and turned to see the butler.
“Miss Imogen, Mr. Lewis, forgive me for interrupting but you must know, your guest has arrived.”
Her belly churned. “Lord Kensington?” she asked.
“Yes,” Mr. Ramson replied. “I believe it is he.”
“Where is he now?” Lewis asked.
“With Mr. Hartford. I do believe they are headed to his study to discuss business matters before dinner.”
Imogen rose to her feet and Lewis did the same. “It is barely half an hour until then.”
“Enough time to decide the course of the next decade, my dear sister, believe me.”
In wordless agreement, they both walked out of the drawing room, headed for the study. As they neared, they heard her father and the Earl arriving at the door.
For some reason, they both stopped, choosing to hide in the quickly falling shadows.
From her vantage point, Imogen peered at the Earl, taking him in.
He was tall. So tall, that he almost dwarfed her father.
He had dark hair and broad shoulders that looked quite strong. She could not see much of him, but from what she did, she could tell he was a handsome man.
“So, have all your questions been answered?” Lewis asked her as the two men disappeared into the study.
Imogen heaved a small sigh. “I suppose. Although, I still do not know what his eyes look like.”
“Dark. They are dark. Just like his hair.”
For some reason, those words reminded her of someone. Thinking of it, the earl did seem familiar, but she did not think they had met before. She was certain she would remember a man like him.
“He does look handsome.”
“Well, he is not hard on the eyes, that I can say. Can you imagine how much worse you would feel if Father had chosen a man like Mr. Ramson?”
Imogen hit him playfully as she struggled to keep in her laughter.
“Heavens no! I would pretend to feel faint at dinner and never see him again, if it were so.”
Mr. Ramson was quite old, and he definitely was not a sight for sore eyes.
The both of them ended up laughing and as they did, Imogen realized that the wracking was gone, and her nerves had become fully calm and it was all because of Lewis.
At six o’clock sharp, they all gathered in the dining hall. Her father and Lord Kensington were already seated when Imogen and Lewis arrived. As they did, the earl rose to his feet.
Her father was quick to make introductions.
“Ah. You are here. Miss Imogen, you must meet his lordship, the earl of Kensington, Nigel Derby. My Lord, this is my daughter, Miss Imogen Hartford.”
Imogen found herself smiling as she looked up at him, even as her heart hammered in her chest and her throat went dry.
Lewis has been right, he had dark eyes. They were so beautiful; she could stare at them all night.
He was tall indeed. From where she stood, the top of her head stopped right at his chest. He had combed his dark hair to the back, leaving his face entirely bare, affording her the opportunity to take in all his features.
His brows were full and curved, so lovely they made her thin ones jealous. His nose was perfect for his oblong face, and his thin lips spread in a small line.
His jaws were set rigidly, and his chin stood out. His tanned skin spoke of plenty of time in the sun. She wondered if he was a sea traveler or perhaps, he owned a field of workers. That would explain it.
He seemed a serious man, but the smile lines at the corners of his mouth told her that he was happy often. And though his eyes were dark, there was still a light in them, a shy twinkle that made her curious about the tales they held.
He was more than a handsome man, he was dashing.
It was not the flighty energy of younger men. No, there was a maturity to his bearing. An overwhelmingly attractive manliness that appealed utterly to her senses.
It was a wonder why he had not yet taken a wife. That sort of face was sure to turn heads at balls.
She gave him her hand as he held out his and he dipped in a bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hartford.”
As his lips touched the back of her palm, a sweet sensation began to tingle from that spot until it spread to the rest of her body.
“Likewise, Lord Kensington,” she responded. It was almost a whisper, as she did not trust herself to speak any louder.
Slowly, he began to rise. “When your father said you were as beautiful as the morning star, I believed him. Now I see he was wrong.”
She took back her hand as he released it, her brow raised in question.
His lips curved and she was utterly blown away.
Dear Lord, I have never seen a smile more beautiful!
“You are not as beautiful as the morning star, Miss Hartford. You make the morning star wish it were you for you by far outshine its glory.”
Her cheeks warmed instantly, and she found herself reaching for her heart. It trembled, softly, lowly, and it made her bid it be still.
Imogen swallowed hard as her throat suddenly felt clogged. For a brief moment, thoughts deserted her, and she lost her command of English.
As she recovered, she found her voice. “I did not think a day would come when I would be at a loss for words with which to respond to flattery.”
“You assume I flatter. I do not, my dear Miss. I simply speak the truth. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The baron had been this way too. Charming, wonderful with words. He had made her heart thrum and her stomach birth butterflies.
She had believed he was sincere and given him her heart so blindly. Look how that had ended. She would be wise to be a little more cautious with Lord Kensington. Wise to guard her heart and seek only friendship.
With this in mind, she held his gaze, a smile spread across her face as she replied.
“As am I, my Lord. As am I.”
Her father interrupted then, clearing his throat. “You remember my son, Mr. Lewis Hartford, do you not?”
The earl looked away from Imogen then, turning to face her brother.
He extended his hand for a shake. “Of course! We have met a handful of times. It is nice to see you again, Mr. Hartford.”
Lewis took his hand and shook him warmly. “That it is. You are welcome to our humble abode.”
Lord Kensington broke into a light chuckle. “I would not call it humble. It is beautiful and grand. Thank you for giving me the honor of being a guest.”
Imogen watched the exchange between the two men as she took her seat. It was easy to see that Lewis liked Lord Kensington. He had never been so warm towards the baron. He had hardly ever remembered to smile when Lord Exeter was around. Yet his lips would not stop widening as he spoke with the earl.
This pleased her more than she cared to admit. She reminded herself yet again, she would do well to be careful with her heart and not to give her trust away so easily again.