The Earl, the Lady and the Song of Love by Fanny Finch

Chapter 15

When Imogen awoke the next day, she set out for an early ride to her aunt’s estate on the outskirts of London. She had promised Aunt Rachel a visit the last time they had met.

 

She was aware that fulfilling that promise was long overdue.

 

She arrived soon enough and was warmly welcomed by her aunt. After exchanging pleasantries, they set out for the woods. The horses moved fast, light on their hooves, and before they knew it, they had arrived at their favorite spot.

 

A flowing creek with water as clear as crystal. So clear, one could see the brown rocks that lay beneath and the little, colorful fishes that lived therein. If one listened close enough, they would hear the birds chirp as they rested in their nests, the sweet melody that the blowing wind, rustling leaves, and flowing waters made. One did not have to look too hard to catch the trees dancing to the beautiful tune. These were all the things that gave the creek its special charm.

 

Quickly, they made a picnic spread and settled on the ground. As they sat, Imogen took a deep breath, eyes closed, letting the magic of the ambience calm her soul.

 

There was something about this place that often made her feel as though all was right in her world and there was not one thing to worry about.

 

“I had almost forgotten how beautiful it is here,” she sighed as her eyes slipped open.

 

“I felt the same way when I returned,” Aunt Rachel replied. “Peter says it is likely we will not have to return to Scotland for another year. Oh dear, I do hope whatever it is he is putting together works. I have been back two weeks, but it feels like only a few hours. I would hate to leave so soon.”

 

Imogen supposed she could understand her aunt. She had never had to be away from home, but she knew she would very much miss it.

 

“He has yet to return from the palace . . .”

 

Aunt Rachel nodded. “He will be back in three days, he said.”

 

“Then he will return with good news.”

 

A smile spread through Aunt Rachel’s face. “I can only hope.”

 

There was a moment’s pause as she reached for some grapes. She waited until she had chewed and swallowed before continuing.

 

“I can tell that you’re doing much better. You shine with a certain radiance that has my heart swelling with joy. Has something happened in the time since we last spoke?” she asked innocently.

 

Imogen had a feeling Aunt Rachel knew exactly what had happened, but she answered anyway.

 

“You could say so. I told Father of our discussion.”

 

“Oh?”

 

Imogen bobbed her head. “I asked him to help me find a suitable match too.”

 

Aunt Rachel reached for an apple. “I cannot imagine he took that well,” she said just before taking a bite.

 

Imogen lifted her shoulder in a small shrug. “As well as he could have taken it, I suppose. I know he has told you about it.”

 

Aunt Rachel’s brow arched as she paused mid-bite.

 

She quickly recovered, chewing the second piece before responding.

 

“Oh well, we met briefly a few days ago and he might have mentioned it.”

 

I knew it.

 

“He believes I put you up to it. Says I should not have. You have always wanted love. I never did. Yet, I was lucky enough to get it. He wishes you would not settle for less. Nonetheless, he has high hopes for you and this . . . Earl.”

 

“Lord Kensington, yes.”

 

She nodded. “The Earl’s father, Peter and your father . . . all three of them used to be close. I know his family. They are good people.” She took another bite from her apple. “You have met him; you should already know that.”

 

It was not a question but Imogen answered, nonetheless. “Yes, three times now.”

 

“Already? Wonderful. All is going well then?”

 

Imogen nodded. “It is.”

 

“Is he handsome?” Aunt Rachel winked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

 

Imogen could not resist the smile that tugged her lips. She could not help the heat that crept up her cheeks either. It was all the answer her aunty needed.

 

“Ah, I see. So he is. Tall?”

 

Imogen found her voice then. “Very. So tall, I barely reach his shoulders. Dark hair, brooding dark eyes, and a smile that makes me think of rainbows.”

 

Aunt Rachel broke into a chuckle. “Sounds like someone is smitten!”

 

Imogen was quick to refute it. “I am not!”

 

Aunt Rachel only chuckled harder. “The lady doth protest too much, my love. Does he feel the same?”

 

Imogen’s blush deepened. “He says I delight him.”

 

“Ah-ha! It appears you shall get your love match, after all.”

 

“I think not. We agreed to only be friends. He says friendship is all he seeks in a marriage and I agree.”

 

Aunt Rachel sobered then. “Hmm. And is that all you seek?”

 

“Of course. What else could I want?” This sounded unbelievable, even to her own ears.

 

“Sounds to me like you are beginning to want more. Are you sure you are willing to settle for less?”

 

In all honesty, Imogen was not certain she knew the answer to that question. Nothing was clear anymore. Aunt Rachel reached for her hand and took it in hers. As she squeezed, she said, “My dear, you do know there is no rush, do you not? Your father might have gone through all that trouble, but he will never insist. If this Earl says he only wants friendship and you realize that you have not given up on the notion of love altogether, you must know, you are free to refuse his offer. Give it some time, will you? You have only just met the man, after all.”

 

Imogen knew her aunt meant well, but she did not think she was willing to refuse Lord Kensington whenever he did make an offer.

 

So, she said, “He is a kind man. I might have only just met him, but something tells me I am not mistaken, not this time.”

 

“So, your mind is made up then? Even though he might never love you?”

 

She held her aunt’s gaze. “It is like you said. Love is but a fickle emotion. Too fickle to decide one’s future upon.”

 

Aunt Rachel sighed. “Heavens have mercy for Lord knows, as sweet as you are, you can be just as stubborn.” She let go of her hand then. “Very well. At the very least, let me meet him, will you?”

 

Imogen wondered if the Earl would oppose the thought. Whatever the case, she could not deny her aunt this request.

 

So, she answered, “If you wish it.”

 

“I do.”

 

“Then I shall arrange a meeting.”

 

Aunt Rachel’s smile could have made the sun envious, and Imogen was pleased she had agreed.

 

They moved on to other matters, spending three more hours at the creek before Imogen announced she was taking her leave.

 

They rode back to the house and after they had said their farewells, Imogen got on her carriage, beginning the journey back home.

 

As she arrived, she went up to her chambers. There, she first found a sheet of paper. Then, she settled and began to write to the Earl.

***

 

Dear Lord Kensington,

 

I hope this meets you well.

 

I promised some time ago that I would write. Well, this is me fulfilling that promise, albeit, for a special reason.

 

I visited my aunt today, and we happened to speak about you. She has become rather curious about your person and would love to meet with you.

 

I wonder, would you be open to visiting her estate in Dusham with me? It will only be a few hours. I assure you, I will make certain that it is worth your time.

 

I know that you are a very busy man and would utterly understand if the answer is no. Nevertheless, I thought it only right to ask.

 

I look forward to your response.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

Miss Imogen Hartford.

 

Nigel’s heart sighed as he finished reading the letter. He was smiling so hard, he feared his cheeks would begin to hurt any moment.

 

He had been surprised to receive the letter from her, pleasantly so. He was even more pleased to read that she was suggesting an occasion for them to meet again.

 

How could he say no?

 

I should write back immediately. It will be rude to keep her waiting for too long.

 

With this in mind, he picked his quill. He had only finished the first sentence when his door opened.

 

“Yes, Gaius, what is it?” He continued to write, not looking up.

 

“There is someone here to see you, my Lord,” his butler answered.

 

“Who is it?”

 

“I think you will want to see for yourself.” There was something in Gaius’s voice. It sounded like happiness. Whose presence could Gaius be joyous about?

 

Could it be? No, surely not. She would not have written if she were going to come all the way here.

 

Still, as his heart thrummed softly, he knew he was hopeful.

 

He stopped writing altogether, looking up with the quill still in hand.

 

His eyes settled on Gaius first, before moving to the person beside him.

 

Nigel’s jaw dropped, his eyes widened, and his spirits surged with joy.

 

“I cannot believe my eyes,” he managed to say. “Is it truly you? Gaius, I am seeing right, am I not?”

 

Gaius and the man beside him chuckled.

 

“I assure you, my lord, your eyes are seeing just fine,” the butler said.

 

“Yes,” the man by his side added. “You should listen to Gaius. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your eyes.”

 

Nigel jumped to his feet then.

 

His legs began to move of their own accord, carrying him across the room. The other man moved as well, meeting him halfway.

 

As they met, their arms went around each other in a tight embrace. They both broke into gale laughter.

 

“My goodness! Ethan! I had no inkling you were returning home!” Nigel exclaimed. He could not remember the last time he had felt so happy.

 

It was a good day indeed. Two wonderful surprises he could never have expected. Although Ethan’s return was, by far, the best of them.

 

His brother chuckled in his ears. “If I had told you, you would not be so astonished now, would you?”

 

“Ah . . . I would not. Still, I would be just as happy and I would have prepared better for your arrival.”

 

Ethan patted his back. “As long as there is food to eat and a bed to rest my head, I have all that I need.”

 

Nigel shook his head, still overcome with awe, even if he was holding his brother in his arms.

 

“I cannot believe it yet. How long has it been?”

 

“Too long!”

 

They remained in that embrace for a long moment before finally pulling apart.

 

“Eh, look at you. You are almost as tall as I am now.”

 

Ethan laughed. “It is because it has been a while since you last saw me. I have long passed the growing age.”

 

“Is that so? That is a good thing then. I shall very much hate for my little brother to dwarf me,” Nigel jested.

 

“I suddenly wish I could grow taller, just to annoy you,” his brother teased in response.

 

The both of them ended up laughing as they hugged again. They pulled apart much more quickly this time.

 

“Ah, Ethan. It is good to see you again. Come, come, let us sit. We shall drink to this! The last time I saw you, summer was only about to begin.”

 

Nigel led his brother to the sofa in his study and as Ethan sat, he walked to the cabinet that held bottles of brandy.

 

He soon returned with a bottle in one hand and two glasses in the other.

 

When he was done filling them, he handed Ethan one.

 

“Have you been well? Have the seas been kind? I received your very few letters.”

 

Ethan nodded. “Yes, brother. I have been well. The sea, well . . . she is just like any other woman. Sometimes sweet and calm. Other times, wild and dangerous. Still, I cannot love her less.”

 

He lifted his glass in the air before drinking. He emptied it all in one swig.

 

“Ah, I sure have missed good brandy. One gets tired of ale when on the sea.”

 

“Whence have you come home, this time?”

 

“The Indies. It is quite a long sail back. We were at sea for three months.”

 

Nigel shook his head. It was amazing how his brother could be at the other end of the world and he would have no inkling.

 

“I am only glad you returned safely, once again. Does Mother know?”

 

“No. I will beg you not to tell her. I wish to surprise her as well.”

 

Nigel smiled. “She will love that. She has been worried about you lately. She burns candles of prayers every night.”

 

“Now I know why I am still alive. I fear I might have died a long time ago but for her prayers” Ethan replied, grinning.

 

Nigel’s own smile vanished, and he sent him a hard glare. “Do not make such jests.”

 

Ethan grinned harder. “Who says I was jesting? Has she been well? And Arthur?”

 

Nigel nodded. “They are both well. Strong and vibrant, like youngsters.”

 

“I am happy to hear that. They shall see our children grow and have their own children.”

 

Nigel’s brow raised in surprise. “I never thought the day would come when I would hear you speak of having children. Do not tell me you are finally thinking of leaving service.”

 

His brother grew solemn then. “I joined when I was sixteen. It has been ten years. That is a long enough time to give one’s country, is it not?”

 

“Still, you love the sea.”

 

“I do. Even more than I love serving my country. Nonetheless, it is time to stop wandering and settle down, build my own home.”

 

Nigel watched his brother. He still appeared to be the carefree, happy child he had always been, but something had changed. Nigel feared that it had not just happened overnight.

 

It had taken years, deepening with each one that passed.

 

Ethan never talked to him about what happened out there on the waters. It was an unspoken agreement they had had from the moment he joined the service.

 

Nevertheless, Nigel was certain that it could not have been easy. If Ethan was back home for good, he was elated and ready to help him settle into his life from this moment onward.

 

“I am happy to hear this, brother. Mother will be, too.”

 

Ethan’s smile instantly returned. “Shall we toast then? To my return?”

 

Nigel raised his glass chuckling. “Rest assured, there will be more toasting and a good deal of drinking. Mother is bound to throw a ball in your honor.”

 

His brother was evidently thrilled by the thought. “All the more reason to celebrate. It is the season! Nothing like a ball with the finest belles in all of England!”

 

Ethan clinked glasses then, proceeding to drink his fill afterwards.

 

They spent the rest of the evening making up for lost time. At some point, Nigel rose to finish his letter.

 

As Gaius left with it, Ethan teased.

 

“Miss Hartford, eh? Tell me, has my brother finally found a lady who would make him share his heart?”

 

Nigel did not bother to hide his face as he turned red.

 

“Look at you!” Ethan exclaimed, smiling from cheek to cheek. “All flushed! My goodness. She must be really special. Come now, tell me all about her.”

 

Nigel did. He told him all, including the truth he had never dared say out loud. That he feared he might have started to fall for the lovely Miss Hartford, despite her fair warnings.