The Earl, the Lady and the Song of Love by Fanny Finch
Epilogue
“Miss Alicia Fitzwilliam, do you henceforth take, before God and man, Jerome Wilkins, Earl of Exeter to be your husband? To have and to hold, to cherish and adore, to love and respect, in all times; good and bad, in abundance and in lack, in wellness and ill-health, until death do thee part?”
There was silence in the congregation as they all waited for Alicia’s answer. She took her sweet time, staring lovingly into the eyes of the man she loved. Then, ever so softly, she finally said,
“I do.”
When Imogen breathed a sigh of relief, her husband leaned into her.
“You did not think she was going to say otherwise, did you? She is clearly as smitten with Jerome as he is with her.”
A chuckle broke free from Imogen’s lips. “That she is. I know how long she has waited for this moment. If only her Father did not insist that Lord Exeter do away with all of his debts before the marriage, they would have said their vows a long time ago.”
“If you ask me, Mr. Fitzwilliam was right to do that. Yes, Jerome is no longer the fortune hunter he was when he first set his sights upon yourself and Miss Alicia. Nevertheless, her father’s request has made him a much better man. He finally took his family’s business more seriously and is doing exceedingly well.”
“With some help from you of course,” Imogen chipped in. There were many moments when she had been proud of the man she called her husband. One of those was when he had agreed to invest in Lord Exeter’s business four months ago, helping him get on his feet again.
In the time since then, they had become more than partners, they had become friends. Even though Nigel still believed Exeter was a little brutish and rough around the edges, he could not deny that beneath all of that—the desperation to save his family from financial ruin—the baron was actually a decent man.
Yes, he had pursued Imogen because he was interested in her dowry and inheritance. This was why, when Alicia had declared her interest in him, he had wasted no time returning her advances.
One rich merchant’s daughter is just as good as the other, he had told himself---his own words. However, that which he had never envisioned had happened. He had truly fallen in love with Alicia and for that, he had wanted to do right by her.
So, he had fessed up, to her and her father who already suspected his antics. Mr. Fitzwilliam had asked him to prove himself worthy, so Jerome had swallowed his pride and finally asked Nigel for help.
He still had a long journey to financial abundance, but at the very least, he was almost free from debts and was marrying for love. In the end, it all turned out well, did it not?
Imogen was glad she had not come in the way of love. In fact, she was elated that in a manner, she had brought the two together. It was clear for anyone who had eyes to see, they were made for each other.
“I hereby pronounce you, husband and wife! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Lord and Lady Exeter!”
“Already?” she asked, realizing that she’d been lost deeply in her own thoughts.
Her husband wrapped an arm around her, drawing her closer into him. “Yes, there were no objections. It is done.”
As he said those words, she too rose to her feet to join the other guests in their cheer. Nigel stood as well. As soon as the couple stepped out of the chapel, Imogen and Nigel followed.
Outside, they were able to offer their congratulations in person.
Alicia would not stop grinning from ear to ear. Her joy was evident. As was Jerome’s.
In no time, all of them got into their respective carriages and began to ride to the Exeter townhouse where the wedding feast would be held.
As they arrived, Imogen easily found her brother and father.
“I did not see you at the chapel,” she said, hugging them.
“Well, there was quite the crowd,” her father responded.
“That there was.”
She had just pulled away from Lewis’ embrace when she saw Miss Sapphire.
“Ah. I was wondering if you were here somewhere.” she chimed. She always was happy to see her brother’s fiancée. Miss Sapphire was truly a delight. She was all that Lewis had testified and more.
Witty, beautiful, lovely, kind, gifted. Imogen could not have wished for a better wife for her brother.
“Lewis said I had to come. You know how he hates not having me by his side,” she said, returning Imogen’s kisses.
Imogen laughed. “Ah, I do, very much so. It is only a matter of time before he finally has you all to himself, is it not? The wedding is only two fortnights away now.”
Miss Sapphire’s cheeks flushed pink.
“I would have had it sooner if it was not my lady’s wish to have an autumn wedding,” Lewis said.
“And you live only to please her, do you not?” Imogen teased.
Lewis affirmed proudly, not minding one bit.
They all ended up laughing. When Nigel finally joined them, they exchanged pleasantries, and all turned to go into the grand hall.
The wedding feast progressed nicely. Alicia danced with her husband. Then, her father. The couples danced once more and finally; others were allowed to join them.
“May I have this dance, my Lady?” Nigel asked, his hand held out to her.
How could she ever refuse? “Yes, you very well may.”
Taking the hand she had placed in his, he led her to the dance floor.
As they waltzed, Imogen wondered if it was the perfect time to tell him the news that was certain to bring joy to his heart.
She was about to decide when she heard him start to sing. It was a familiar tune, one she had heard before. It did not take her long to realize where from.
It was the song from her dream and the same one the ensemble was playing at that moment.
Oh, what night, the stars shining bright . . . oh, what a marvelous eve!
She looked up at him. “You know the song?”
He met her gaze. “I suppose I do. I cannot remember ever hearing it before, but I woke up one morning and I could not stop singing it.”
Imogen could not believe it. It was almost like . . . magic!
“Nigel, remember the painting of us, the story behind it . . .that dream of mine?”
He nodded. “How could I forget?”
Indeed, how could he? When she had finally shown it to him and told him of her dream, he had been filled with such awe. He could hardly believe that it was possible, that she had first met him in her dreams.
“This song . . . it was the song we danced to at the ball!” As she said those words, it occurred to her that she had been in that very moment before.
No, it can’t be. But it was!
She only needed to look at their clothes. Her beautiful yellow dress and his wood-brown suit. They were the exact attire in her dream, in the painting.
She looked around them and it became even clearer. The hall! The scenery! The people! This was precisely how it had been. This was the moment in her dream.
Right there, in Exeter’s home. She had thought it was a ball all this time, but it wasn’t. It was Alicia’s wedding feast. She had dreamed of their future even before they had met.
If it were not fate, what could it be? Indeed, they were meant to be. He for her, and her for him. It did not matter how long it had taken. They would have eventually found their way to each other, surely.
Her lips started to hurt and she realized then that she was grinning hard.
“What is it?” Nigel asked. The curiosity in his voice was evident.
She simply smiled harder, resting on his chest. “You would not believe it even if I told you.”
“Try me.”
She did.
“Impossible,” he muttered when she was done.
She chuckled softly. “I told you, you would not believe it.”
She could hear the smile in his voice when he replied. “I do believe it. I just cannot believe that I do.”
“Well then, shall I tell you something else that will be easier to believe?”
She pulled away to look into his eyes. She had to for what was to come.
“I am with child,” she said simply.
His look of sheer shock beautifully transformed into awe, then joy. It was exactly what she had hoped to see.
“With child? Are you sure?” He looked dazed, and Imogen could tell he needed to be certain he had heard right, before allowing himself to be overjoyed.
Slowly, she bobbed her head. “Yes.”
He drew her into a tight embrace then, holding her close as though he never planned to let go. “My goodness, I love you! I love you with all that I am, and I am going to love this child—and the ones to come, just as much. I promise you forever.”
Imogen held on just as tight. She had no doubt that he would keep his every word even if it meant giving his life.
“I know, Nigel. I too promise forever. I love you.”