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

Chapter 19

They played for another two hours, going twelve rounds in total. As the last came to an end, Miss Hartford jumped to her feet with joy.

 

“Yes! Seven of twelve rounds! That makes me the winner of this tournament, does it not?”

 

Nigel had never liked losing, yet all he could feel as he watched her bask in her victory was pure bliss. Ethan had been right. He was smitten.

 

“I would not exactly call it a tournament.”

 

“Call it what you will. What matters is that I won. I told you I would. How does it feel, Lord Kensington?”

 

“What?” he asked, feigning ignorance.

 

“Why! Losing of course!”

 

He chuckled. “Would you believe it if I said I let you win?”

 

She shook her head. “Never! You did not hold back one bit.”

 

“I am glad I did not. I find that for the first time in my eight-and-twenty years of life, Miss Hartford, I do not mind being the loser at all. Not when I get to see you this elated.”

 

Something changed in the air as she stopped her celebration to hold his gaze.

 

It might have been a minute or an hour. It seemed an eternity to Nigel, yet it was not enough. That sweet moment when the striking beauty that were her eyes stirred his heart and soul, engraving a mark that he knew would never be erased.

 

I love her.

 

There was no use denying it. No more. It was the truth, and he would do well to accept it. He had fallen for her. Completely so. It was bound to happen from the start.

 

He watched her throat move as she swallowed hard. It was she who found her voice first.

 

“Well then, I suppose it could be considered a win for the both of us. Thank you for agreeing to play with me, Lord Kensington.” She returned to her seat so she could begin to pack the cards. “I look forward to doing this again.”

 

“As do I.”

 

He knew then that he had to go. It was already noon and he feared if he waited a moment longer, he would end up professing his love to her.

 

Eager to announce his leave, he rushed to help her pack the cards. Their hands touched as they reached for one at the same time and again, time stood still. Once more, their eyes met. His heart beat harder than it ever had.

 

He knew then that he would love her for his whole life, even if he lived a thousand years. If only he knew how to be brave. One step closer . . . it was all he needed to take.

 

They heard footsteps approaching then, causing them to pull apart. Just like that, the moment vanished before he could make up his mind.

 

It is just as well.

 

He rose to his feet. “It has been a pleasant morning, Miss Hartford. I wish I could remain with you all day. Alas, I must now take my leave. There are . . .”

 

“Business matters to attend to,” she completed, rising to her feet as well.

 

He nodded. “Yes. That there are.”

 

She smiled up at him. “I understand. We will see each other again. Soon?”

 

He did not miss a beat. “The ball is four days away. Not soon enough if you ask me. I hear that there is a new play in the theatres. I plan to have dinner with my family tomorrow evening, but perhaps, we could go watch the play together the evening after that?”

 

She bobbed her head. “I would love that. Very much.”

 

He was glad. “It is settled then. I shall be by to pick you up at five o’clock.”

 

“I will be waiting.”

 

Abigail, the servant who had brought them tea and the cards stepped out onto the balcony. Miss Hartford handed the cards over to her and proceeded to walk him to the doors.

 

When they arrived, they both drew to a stop and he turned to her.

 

“Until we meet again,” he said.

 

She dipped her head. “Farewell, my lord.”

 

The urge to kiss her hands overwhelmed him and he gave in, doing just that. He let his lips linger against the softness of her palm for a moment before letting her hand go.

 

Only then, did he turn to leave.

 

As he got off the last step, he walked to his coachman and said to him.

 

“I would like to walk for a while. Meet me at Grosvenor’s Square, will you?”

 

“Yes, milord.”

 

With those words, his coachman took off, leaving him behind.

 

It was a long walk to the square, but it was just what Nigel needed to clear his mind and get his thoughts right. Gulping a huge breath of fresh air, he began his journey.

 

It was a good thing the weather was kind this day. The sun was out but the air remained cool, complementing its warmth.

 

I should have told her today.

 

There had been many chances, many perfect moments, and he had let them all go to waste. The truth was, he knew nothing of when a woman loved a man and he could not tell if Miss Hartford was simply being kind with her words or if she too felt something, no matter how little.

 

It certainly would be easier for him to confess his feelings if he knew they were reciprocated. Nonetheless, it was not supposed to be easy, was it?

 

No. This was the rest of his life. He could not expect to have it handed to him on a silver platter.

 

Perhaps, he was simply not ready. No matter what Ethan believed, he could wait a little while longer, bid his time and summon enough courage.

 

Only then would he let her know.

 

These thoughts remained on his mind as he continued to walk, stopping him from paying little attention to where he was going. It was why he did not look as he turned a corner, only to end up bumping into another man.

 

The collision startled him out of those thoughts and as he realized what had just happened, he immediately apologized.

 

“My sincerest apologies. Please, forgive me. I should have looked where I was going.”

 

The other man looked up at him with irritation splayed all over his face.

 

“Of course, you should have. You do not seem blind to me. You should make proper use of your eyes next time,” he spat.

 

Nigel frowned. One quick appraisal told him whoever this man was, he was a noble. It was evident from his attire.

 

“I am aware that I am in the wrong. Nonetheless, you could easily have stepped aside to avoid the impact.”

 

The other man looked like he could not believe his ears. “Are you thinking to fault me? Any one of sound mind knows that whoever is making the turn has to be more careful.”

 

Nigel looked around. “It appears we were both making a turn. Would you say you were not careful then?”

 

“I was. It was you who should have done better. If you cannot find your way about, then perhaps you should hire a carriage. Heaven knows you look like you could afford it.”

 

Nigel did not understand why the man was being so hostile. Especially when he had been quick to apologize. Now that he thought of it, they were both in the wrong.

 

If the stranger had been looking as well, he would have known to avoid the clash.

 

Deciding that the man was not worth anymore of his breath, Nigel gave a curt nod, tipping his hat at him.

 

“My apologies, once again. I bid you a good day, sir.”

 

With those words, he turned to continue on his way.

 

As he did, the man called after him, taunting still. “If that is the way you were taught to apologize, then your parents should not have bothered with lessons at all. Your tutor did an ill job.”

 

Nigel chuckled. He did not find it funny, not truly, but he could not help laughing.

 

Whoever that gentleman was, he certainly had problems and Nigel was not one of them. He had simply found a reason to vent his anger, is all.

 

Nigel sighed. He hoped with all his heart that whatever was troubling the man, he found peace.

 

At the very least, the stranger had managed to take Nigel’s mind off Miss Hartford, if only for a short while.

 

Nigel had almost arrived at the square when something suddenly began to gnaw at him. Memories of the encounter with the gentleman he had too soon forgotten came back.

 

I am almost certain I have seen that face before.

 

It had not occurred to Nigel then, but now that he thought of it, the man had seemed awfully familiar. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, Nigel just could not seem to place where he had seen him before.

 

It will come to me, he concluded. It always does, eventually.

 

He heaved a sigh as he finally arrived at the square and found the carriage waiting for him. Eager to return home, he walked to it and announced to his coachman.

 

“To the estate, please.”

 

The walk had been nice, but he had been wrong, it had not helped one bit. His mind remained in disarray.

***

 

Two evenings later, Nigel found himself at the Hartford townhouse once more.

 

As Miss Hartford had promised, she was ready and waiting when he arrived. Quickly, he greeted her father and brother. As soon as they were done exchanging pleasantries, they entered his carriage and began the ride to the theatre.

 

They arrived soon enough and after buying their tickets, proceeded to go into the large hall.

 

“It appears a play just ended. There are as many people coming out as there are going in,” Miss Hartford said to him. She had to raise her voice so he could hear her above the noise.

 

He nodded. “I do believe you are right, Miss Hartford.”

 

She opened her mouth to say something else and he waited, listening. Alas, it never came. Instead, she froze, halting in her steps.

 

He too was forced to stop. Concerned, he turned to her. “Miss Hartford?”

 

She looked like she could not hear him. She was looking straight ahead, seemingly at something. Slowly, Nigel turned to see a gentleman and lady standing only a few paces away from them.

 

They too seemed to have stopped in their tracks and they were staring right at Miss Hartford.

 

Nigel frowned. What is going on?

 

The other couple were the first to recover. The man managed to force a smile on his face, but the lady by his side had lost all color in her face.

 

She looked just as pale as Miss Hartford had gone. Finally, they stopped again. This time, only three feet away.

 

“Miss Hartford, what a lovely surprise! I did not expect to see you here,” the man chimed.

 

Nigel recognized the voice first. How could he not? The man’s taunt had occasionally rung in his head over the past two days.

 

His jaw went rigid as he looked at him. Even then, Nigel felt the urge to wipe the smirk off his face. What was he so happy about and how did Miss Hartford know such a mannerless man?

 

She finally found her voice. “Lord Exeter. Alicia.”

 

It finally dawned on Nigel then. Of course, Lord Exeter. He was the baron who had first courted Miss Hartford at the start of the season. The courtship had ended rather quickly.

 

Nigel had never learned the reason. Whatever it was, he could tell it was not good. The air had turned chilly, and he could almost feel the cold seeping into his bones.

 

He looked at the lady by her side. Alicia. She too appeared familiar. It appeared she and Miss Hartford were well acquainted.

 

This was confirmed when she responded, “Imogen.” It was almost a whisper.

 

He watched as Miss Hartford fully recovered. The color returned to her face and she masked her emotions. Turning to the man, she said.

 

“It is a public place, is it not, my lord? All and sundry are free to visit. It should not be such a surprise running into anyone here.”

 

Lord Exeter’s lips peeled in a wolf grin. “Ah. True. You must be here to see the play. My fiancée and I have just finished watching it, ourselves.”

 

“Your fiancée,” Miss Hartford croaked. “You and Alicia are engaged.”

 

As if to make a point, Lord Exeter took Alicia’s hands in his, brandishing the large sapphire that sat on her finger. “Yes. It has been some weeks now. We are set to be married at season’s end.”

 

Nigel watched as Miss Hartford swallowed hard. He did not like it. He did not like it one bit.

 

He might not know what had transpired between the three of them, but he feared Miss Hartford still fancied the baron. It was evident that she was hurt by the news.

 

His chest tightened and his heart refused to beat for a brief moment. When it started to thud again, it sent a searing pain through him.

 

If Miss Hartford still loved the man who had clearly left her for another, Nigel feared he stood no chance. Nonetheless, this moment was not about him.

 

It was about her. She needed him to come to her rescue and he would not fail her.

 

Taking her hand in his, he finally spoke, making his presence known.

 

“Wonderful news! I see congratulations are in order. You must congratulate us as well for we too are engaged to be married.”

 

Everyone was shocked by his announcement, including Miss Hartford. He could feel her gaze boring into his cheeks, but he ignored her, looking only at the people before them.

 

He continued, “We have only been acquainted with each other briefly, but I knew right away that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I would be a fool to let someone so amazing get away.”

 

Exeter finally recognized him.

 

“You!” he exclaimed as he pointed, eyes wide.

 

Nigel feigned ignorance. “Me?”

 

“Have we not met before?” Exeter asked.

 

Nigel shook his head. “Not that I can remember. I never forget faces. I do not seem to recall yours.”

 

Lord Exeter turned red. “We ran into each other only days ago. On Brighton Street.”

 

Nigel smiled then. “Ahh. Indeed, I was on Brighton Street and now that you mention it, I do remember running into a thoroughly ill-mannered young man. So, it was you. It is nice to finally put a name to the face, Lord Exeter. I am Nigel Derby, the Earl of Kensington.”

 

The lady whom Miss Hartford had called Alicia seemed even more surprised by his introduction than the baron.

 

“An Earl? Imogen, truly? You are really engaged to be married to an Earl?”

 

Miss Hartford lifted her shoulder in a flippant shrug. “What is it to you?”

 

Miss Alicia forced a chuckle. “Surely, you must jest. I see no ring.”

 

Miss Hartford did not miss a beat. “You know I have never been one to care for such things.”

 

The other lady would have spoken again but Nigel quickly cut her off.

 

“We would love to stay and chat, but as you can see, we have a play to catch and we do not wish to miss a moment of it. If you would excuse us, it was wonderful running into you, this time.”

 

Nigel continued to walk as soon as he finished speaking, pulling Miss Hartford gently along.

 

He heard her murmur her goodbyes quickly. Nothing was said between them as they found their way into the large hall and settled in their box.

 

The play began only a moment later, but Nigel could barely enjoy it. Every now and then, he would steal glances at Miss Hartford only to find her miles away.

 

He knew that she was thinking about their encounter with Lord Exeter and his new woman, and as much as he tried, Nigel could not quell the envy that stirred in him.

 

He understood now, why she did not want a love match. She had loved before and had only gotten hurt in return. Despite all, she loved him still, the man who had broken her heart.

 

Why? Nigel wondered. The baron of all men. He was as bad as they came and entirely undeserving of her love.

 

Why was her heart drawn to him?

 

Through the play, he fought the feelings of insufficiency and jealousy, all the while, worrying about Miss Hartford and how she fared.

 

As the play finally came to an end, he led her outside the theatre and suggested they take a walk.

 

He released a breath he had not realized he was holding when she looked up and nodded in agreement.

 

Side by side, they started walking in silence.