The Earl, the Lady and the Song of Love by Fanny Finch
Chapter 25
Imogen and Lord Derby continued to walk around the house, speaking about everything and nothing. Even though Imogen’s heart longed to be with Nigel, she could not dispute the fact that she thoroughly enjoyed his brother’s company.
He was delightful indeed. Full of jest, intelligent, and keen.
She suspected he held a very serious demeanor, properly kept beneath all of that. How else could he have been captain of a battlement, leading all those adventures he so lightheartedly told her of as though they had been nothing but child’s play?
Eventually, the time for dinner neared, and they turned, finding their way back to the dining hall. As they arrived to find the others waiting, he let go of her arm.
“I have a ship and a crew of the finest sailors in England ready to set sail on my command. Only let me know when you wish to see the wonder that is the sea, and I will move according to your wish.”
Imogen knew then without a doubt, that she had found a brother in him. “Certainly, Lord Derby. Thank you very much.”
“Please, call me Ethan. Or Captain. It is what everyone else calls me and you are practically family now.”
She would have responded when Nigel’s voice sounded. “Am I to return to the ballrooms in search of another wife?”
Everyone laughed.
Ethan tapped Nigel on the shoulder as he sobered. “I have to say, brother, you really have found yourself the one. I used all my charms on her, but she would not give. I have never met a woman like her. You win this round. I never would have thought this day would come, but I humbly surrender.” As he finished, he dipped into a regal, extravagant bow with one leg crossed in front of the other.
They were all still laughing when she finally settled into the seat Nigel had pulled out for her. Just before he returned to his own seat, he bowed and whispered in her ear, “Everyone is right, you know. You do look particularly stunning tonight. You almost leave me breathless at the mere sight of you.”
She did not have time to recover before he took his seat. As her cheeks flamed, no doubt turning crimson, she knew that it might take her the entire night to finally stop blushing.
At any luck, she hoped the butterflies in her belly would tire and cease to flutter. He affected her so much! His words, their meaning, the soft, husky voice in her ears as his breath made the hair on the back of her nape stand. That silly knowing smirk on his face that made him look oh so irresistibly handsome!
I love him!
The revelation did not even come as a shock to her. It was the simple truth, and it was high time she stopped fighting it and accepted it wholeheartedly.
It could not have been helped. She had fallen completely in love with him. Fool she was, for she was ready to damn the consequences.
Her aunt had been right. Whether he loved her yet or not, she could think of no one more deserving to give her heart to.
“Amen,” she muttered as the Countess finished sharing the grace. Then, they began to eat.
Dinner went by pleasantly. There were a few affable conversations now and then, but most of it was quiet, comfortably so.
When dinner finally came to an end, they all rose to their feet. As the men started to find their way to the study, Lady Cheshire took her arm.
“Come along, dear. We shall have a lovely time while the men discuss boring business matters over sour grapes. There is much to talk about.”
Imogen knew she could not object. So, sparing one last glance her fiancé’s way, she followed her soon-to-be mother-in-law into the drawing room.
“I remember the first time I saw you,” Lady Cheshire began as they settled into their respective seats. “You could have been no more than seven. I thought you were such a lovely child then! It was evident your mother was doing wonderfully, raising you. It is just as I thought. You have grown into a charming young woman. I met you a number of times after that. Although, I doubt you will remember. The meetings were always so brief, and you were still quite young.”
Imogen nodded. “I only remember the meetings from recent years.”
Lady Cheshire seemed pleased by this. “Indeed? Ah. How far back do you remember?”
It had never occurred to Imogen before but suddenly it dawned on her.
“You were at the funeral, were you not? My mother’s?”
Lady Cheshire bobbed her head. “Yes, I was. You had only just started to become a lady. To lose your mother at such a precious time,” the Countess shook her head sadly. “My heart went out to you, it did. Although, I found comfort in knowing that you have a father who adores you, a brother who cherishes you, and an aunt who would stand by your side like a mother. I have always admired your family, my dear Miss Hartford. Your father was good to me in the time when very few were, and he had no reason to be, save for the friendship he shared with my late husband, bless his soul.” She observed a moment of silence before continuing.
“Your mother, oh, she was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. As for the young Mr. Hartford, he proves day by day that one is noble for the eminence of his heart, not the blood in his veins. A gentleman, through and through. Ah indeed, we are all pleased with Nigel’s choice. A lovely girl from such a warm, highly reputable family. He could have done us no prouder.”
Imogen could not bring herself to stop blushing. “Thank you, my Lady. Very much. It is high praise that you give my family and me, and I do not consider it lightly. Thank you also, for your warm acceptance. I never could have dreamed of a better family to be invited into.”
Lady Cheshire was evidently pleased. “It is easy to see why he is so smitten with you, but I wish to know more. Talk to me, dear Miss Hartford.” She paused. “Imogen, may I call you that?”
Imogen nodded, shy. “I would like that, a lot.”
The Countess’s lips curved wider. “It is settled then! Nigel tells me you paint . . .”
They continued to talk, speaking of things they both enjoyed doing. Lady Cheshire was thrilled by every word Imogen uttered. She was also happy to give Imogen a glimpse into her youth, and Nigel’s childhood.
“Never let him know I said a word, but he entirely loses his bravado when he sights a spider! The servants take great care to make certain none is evident around the house. However, there are times when Ethan gets up to mischief and puts a few in Nigel’s chambers. I particularly remember one very hilarious instance,” the Countess snickered until she lost her breath.
Recovering, she continued, “Nigel could have suffered a fainting spell, I tell you! He went so pale it took another two days to regain all his color. His voice also became hoarse from screaming. It was another week before we could hear his speech without strain.”
Imogen held her ribs, hurting from laughing too hard. The imagery she had conjured in her head was quite an amusing sight. She almost could not believe it, her Nigel, afraid of spiders!
That tall, overwhelming man who looked like he could take on a dozen of men without suffering a scratch.
“Lord Kensington and Lord Derby must be quite close,” she said as she finally got herself to stop laughing.
Lady Cheshire was quick to affirm. “That they are. As often as they tease each other and for all the pranks they have pulled, one would give his life for the other without thinking twice. Such is a brother’s love. You would understand, surely. The young Mr. Hartford evidently cares deeply for you.”
Truer words could not have been spoken. “He is simply the best brother there is,” Imogen responded softly.
The Countess chuckled softly. “I am certain.”
They went on to talk about so much more. Eventually, Imogen told the Countess of Nigel’s visit to her aunt’s and how he had conceded a game of croquet.
His mother seemed truly surprised to hear this.
“Nigel? Lose a game of croquet? And no less, a conceded loss? Ha!” she laughed. “I certainly was right. He is beyond smitten with you, my darling Imogen. Why, I do believe my son has fallen utterly in love with you!”
She clasped her hands together in apparent glee, heaving a dreamy sigh. “Oh, the blessing of old age. To live to see this day. You have no inkling how much joy you two have brought me. All that is left now is to see Ethan just as happy, in-love and settled. Then, my joy will be complete.”
Imogen had stopped hearing the Countess after she declared her son in love with her.
It could not be, could it? Surely, Lady Cheshire was mistaken. Unless Nigel had told her of it, himself, she could have easily misread his true feelings.
As though the Countess could read her thoughts, she asked, “He has not told you, has he?”
Imogen thought of feigning ignorance and asking what she spoke of but deciding otherwise, she simply shook her head.
Lady Cheshire was not fazed one bit. “Never worry, all in good time. It will not be long now.”
“Did he tell you?” she asked.
The Countess shook her head. “No. He did not have to. Just like you do not have to either. I have lived long enough to know love when I see it. Beyond that, I know my own son much better than he likes to think. Perhaps, even more than he claims to know himself.”
Imogen wanted so desperately to believe these words, but she could not, not yet. For she feared if she did, she would simply be setting her heart to be broken in disappointment once more.
***
Nigel was restless. As wonderful as the men’s company was, he could not put his heart into their conversations. His mind was elsewhere.
In the drawing room precisely, with Imogen and his mother.
He had known that he would have to give them a moment alone at some point. Women favored those kinds of things, desired them even. It was a time to bond. For other women, they would also use this time to measure each other up but not the women in his life. They were much too sensible and warmhearted for that.
This was why he was certain his mother would not do anything to make Imogen uncomfortable. Still, he worried.
He had seen the look she had flashed him just before his mother carted her away. It had not been of dread or fear. It had looked as though she did not want to be parted from him either.
Nigel glanced at the clock on the wall, dimming his eyes to read its hands properly. It had been over an hour since they left.
Whatever they were discussing, an hour was more than enough. He was also certain that it was good enough time to stop the men from drinking any further.
He had barely had Imogen to himself since they arrived. He did not think he could be away from her any longer. Not when she looked like an angel.
He was glad that his family had immediately fallen in love with her. She seemed to have grown a fondness for Ethan as well and this pleased him. Nevertheless . . .
Clearing his throat, he sat up in his seat.
“Gentlemen, I do believe we have left the ladies alone for too long. Shall we rejoin with them now and see what they have been up to?”
No one was fooled. He could tell from the knowing smiles on their faces. It was Arthur who heralded it.
“We all know you simply want to see Imogen again. It is as clear as the skies on a spring morning. You cannot stay away from your fiancé for too long,” his step-father teased.
Nigel did not have it in him to deny the statement. “I suppose it is the way of things when one finds himself a good woman.”
Arthur chuckled again. “Indeed. I suspect you are the kind to be eager for your wedding.”
He wished he had denied his attraction then, as his cheeks grew hot, flushing crimson. The other men joined in laughing at him.
Mr. Hartford, still cackling, added. “That too, as we all know, is the way of things. Come now, gentlemen. We must not keep him away from his betrothed any longer, lest his heart grows faint from missing her.”
They were still laughing when they all stepped out of the study. They met the ladies halfway, returning from the drawing room.
“Ah. I see we were thinking alike,” his mother said. “I thought you would like to begin the journey back to London before it gets any later.”
“You must also know that you are welcome to spend the night here,” Nigel announced. “Lord knows there are more than enough rooms. It would not take my staff long to prepare a few chambers.”
“Thank you so much for your kind hospitality, Kensington. I am afraid we shall have to beg your forgiveness. We had no plans to spend the night and our staff might be worried if our return is delayed.” It was Mr. Hartford.
“I entirely understand. At the very least, let us see you off?”
Mr. Hartford nodded then. “Yes, of course.”
As they reached their agreement, they all started to walk towards the door. Nigel fell behind, finally getting some time alone with Imogen.
She would not hold his gaze. Even in the faint light, he could see her red cheeks. It told him one thing, the talk with his mother had gone well. He had indeed had nothing to be worried about.
“How do you find my family?” he asked her.
“They are just as you described, even more so. Delightful, the lot of them.”
“I am glad you like them. I had hoped you would. It is my wish that you grow fonder of them still.”
“I have no doubt I will. It is probably too soon but it does feel like we are a family already. In truth, it is almost as if we have known each other for a long time.”
Nigel was thrilled to hear this. “It means they succeeded then. It was their intention to make you feel that way. You are welcome, Imogen. Not just into my life and this home that is soon to be ours, but also welcome to my family and their abode.”
And to my heart. You have taken residence there permanently it seems.
“Thank you very much, Nigel. It warms my heart so to hear this. I hope you know that my father considers you a son as well.”
Nigel smiled. “I suspected it, but it is nice to have confirmation. All that is left to do is win Lewis completely over. I suspect he still has his reservations.”
He felt the curve of her lips. “Not over you, that I can assure you. He is simply protective of me. He only wishes I make certain that I am making the right choice.”
“Marrying me?”
She shook her head. “Abandoning the thought of love.”
“Are you?” he asked, hope trembling in his heart.
She took her time before answering, and he worried he would faint from holding his breath.
“No.”
One word. So simply said, yet heavy with meaning, filled with depth.
Nigel could finally breathe but his heart would not stop trembling. Was it a confession on her part? That she too wished for love in their marriage? That she would accept his heart if he declared it hers?
He wanted to believe it so. He wanted to dare. He knew it was no reassurance that she had given up on her feelings for the baron. Yet, he wanted to hold on to the hope that now blossomed inside of him.
They finally came to their carriage and stopped to say their farewells. Nigel did not want to let go of her. He wanted to speak with her into the night, ask what she had discussed with his mother and Ethan, if she would share. Watch the way her eyes twinkled in the night light, listening to her soft, sweet voice.
However, he found comfort in knowing that he would see her again. Soon.
“I suspect you would be going to London tomorrow,” his mother said, coming to stand by his side.
“Well, there are business matters to attend to.”
“And a certain fair lady to call on, I believe.” There was a small pause as both remained silent. His mother continued. “Do not keep her waiting for too long. Let her know how you feel so that she too might finally confess her love.”
Nigel was taken aback by this.
“I never said anything of feelings. Did she? Speak of love, I mean?” he swallowed hard. It was the second time in the space of half an hour that he found himself waiting so desperately for an answer, heart in hand.
His mother smiled. “She would not say it, but I know, regardless. Just like I know that you are madly in love with her, even though you did not even say a thing either.”
She placed an endearing hand on his shoulder then. “Love does not come so easily, my dear. You have found what many seek tirelessly, to no avail. Some have given up altogether. Do not hold back, for what is the point of loving at all, if you do not give your all?”
With those words, she turned to go into the house, her husband by her side. Ethan went after them, leaving Nigel all alone with his thoughts and his mother’s words echoing in his head.