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

Chapter 7

“Miss Hartford.”

 

“What is it, Elena?” Imogen asked, not looking away from the window.

 

“Miss Fitzwilliam is here to see you again. She insists she must be let in.”

 

Imogen’s eyes fluttered closed, and she tried to rein in her temper.

 

“How many times do I have to repeat myself? I do not want to see her. I do not wish to see anyone other than Father and Lewis. It is not too much to ask for, is it?”

 

“N . . . no, Miss Hartford.”

 

“Thank you. I thought so. Please, send Miss Fitzwilliam away and tell her never to return. If ever I decide to see her, I shall send for her.”

 

“Yes, Miss Hartford.”

 

The sound of footsteps retreating, and the door closing was all Imogen needed to know that she was all alone again.

 

She sighed in relief.

 

It had been ten days since the unfortunate incident in the park and she only ever left her chamber to dine with her family. As soon as she was done eating, she returned to her room, remaining there until it was time for the next meal.

 

The only people she allowed to visit her were Father and Lewis. Elena too of course, as she was her maid.

 

Alicia had been visiting almost every day since that afternoon. Imogen had refused to see her each time.

 

She was not ready to—not yet. She was still trying to sort through her emotions, trying to mend her broken heart. Yes, she had many questions. Nevertheless, she was willing to wait for answers until she was strong enough to hear them.

 

The more Imogen thought about Alicia, the angrier she became. As she looked back on their friendship, it grew clearer that Alicia was never a friend. Not truly.

 

There had been words Alicia had thoughtlessly uttered, things she had carelessly done. Imogen had never thought too much of them and when she did, she always excused her friend’s behavior.

 

She had believed that Alicia was simply spoiled. After losing her mother at the age of three, her father had gone out of his way to give her everything she ever wanted or needed.

 

Whatever misbehaviors she exhibited was simply a result of being accustomed to having everything her way, this Imogen had believed.

 

Now she knew it was not so.

 

Alicia had always looked down on Imogen, believing herself better. The words she had said the day she had first met the baron often rang free in Imogen’s head.

 

“If I did not just see it for myself, I would never think it possible that you would manage to arrest the interest of such an impressive young man, and a nobleman for the matter.”

 

“. . . I never thought this day would come but I am actually envious of you—in the best possible way, of course…”

 

Alicia had evidently believed herself better deserving of the baron.

 

A pity.

 

Imogen did not think their friendship was ever going to be mended, not even if Alicia decided to end things with the baron.

 

Nevertheless, she could not continue to live with such ugly emotions inside of her. Someday, she would have to forgive both her friend and the baron.

 

She would have to let all that hurt, pain, and anger go. She released a deep breath as she rested upon the windowsill.

 

Perhaps, it was as good a day as any to begin.

***

 

Five days later, Imogen sat in the drawing room, awaiting the arrival of her estranged friend. The day before, she had finally decided to see Alicia, so she had written to her, asking her to visit that day at noon.

 

A part of Imogen wondered if Alicia would heed the request as she had kept her distance ever since Imogen asked Elena to deliver that message.

 

Her question was answered when Mr. Ramson announced Alicia’s presence just as the clock struck twelve.

 

“Miss Hartford, Miss Fitzwilliam.”

 

He dipped in a bow as he finished and retreated out of the drawing room.

 

Imogen waited until Alicia stopped right in front of her before looking up.

 

“You sent for me,” Alicia said, speaking first. “I see you meant it when you said you would. I take it you are finally willing to talk things out.”

 

Imogen’s response was a tight smile. Gesturing towards the sofa right in front of her, she said just as tightly.

 

“Please, sit.”

 

“I asked Daria to brew us plenty of tea,” Imogen continued as she started to pour their cups. “Seeing as this might be the last time we shall ever get to have any together.”

 

She handed Alicia her cup as she said those words. She caught the momentary freezing of Alicia’s hands, but she recovered quickly, accepting the cup.

 

“The last time?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

 

Imogen nodded as she sipped from hers. “Yes, the last time—might be. I do not think our friendship can ever recover, Alicia. Nonetheless, I cannot entirely say for certain. Not at this moment.”

 

Alicia frowned. “Then why did you call me all the way here if it was not for the sake of reconciliation?”

 

Imogen did not miss a bit. “I hope that there will be reconciliation—of some sort. However, it depends.”

 

“On what?”

 

“On you, Alicia and how truthfully you answer the questions I have for you.”

 

Imogen stared into her friend’s blue eyes and understanding passed. She saw as realization dawned for Alicia.

 

“You want to know everything.”

 

“Yes. It is the least I deserve, do you not reckon?”

 

Alicia bobbed her head. “Fine. I shall tell you. Just ask away.”

 

Imogen did just that.

 

“When did it begin?” It was the first of many questions.

 

Alicia seemed to be in thought, and Imogen waited patiently.

 

She was glad that she had taken her time and not agreed to see Alicia right away. While a part of her was still hurting, she was not as angry anymore.

 

She was calm in her spirit. Even looking at Alicia, she did not feel the need to cry or scream. She was handling her emotions rather well, even if she said so herself.

 

“I think it was in this very room. As far back as the moment I saw him enter,” Alicia finally answered.

 

Imogen swallowed hard. “Even then?”

 

Alicia nodded, “I thought him handsome, very much so. He was also quite as charming. I was immediately envious of you. I saw the way he looked at you and I wanted that for myself. It did not help that you were clueless where he was concerned. You could not even make conversation.”

 

“Perhaps, I might have if you had given me the chance, but you went on and on, talking about the cooks and recipes.”

 

“Ah,” Alicia blinked. “I knew you could not have liked that. Nonetheless, you can hardly fault me. We both know how you are around people you have only just met, Imogen.”

 

Imogen would have asked what she meant by that, but she decided to let it rest.

 

“When did he begin to return your advances?”

 

“In the carriage, as we rode. We got closer, and he confessed he enjoyed my company. We agreed to meet again. He seemed innocent, or so I thought. That endeared me even more. He suggested I bring the earl along and said he would invite you as well. We would all meet as couples. I agreed.”

 

“But . . .”

 

“But on the day we decided to meet, he came alone. So did I. He claimed that you were out with your brother. I claimed the earl was busy with business matters.”

 

“I see.” The baron had never told Imogen of any outing with Alicia and the earl. It appeared he never planned to take her along.

 

It was also clear that Alicia was not the only one who had been smitten. The baron must have been quite taken by her as well.

 

“So that was when it truly began,” Imogen asked quietly.

 

Alicia nodded. Putting her cup aside, she shifted in her chair so she would move closer to Imogen.

 

“Imogen, you must know, none of this was planned. I was simply curious, is all. I never intended to fall for him. I do not think he did either, but it happened regardless. When we realized that we were in love, we knew that we had done wrong by you. We would have told you, soon. We would have come to you with our confession and begged your forgiveness had you not caught us.”

 

Imogen did not think that would have ever happened.

 

“No,” she said with all conviction. “You would have continued to make a fool of me. Did you two laugh at me? At how awfully naïve and oblivious I was, as to what was going on?”

 

Alicia shook her head. “No, we would never!”

 

“Then did you think of me? I see no reason why Lord Exeter continued to woo me. He should never have asked my father for permission to court me. When he realized that it was you he wanted, he should have ended things with me. Do you not realize that it was his intention to disgrace me? Why did he continue to lie, to make me believe that he cared for me just as much as I cared for him and why did you let him?”

 

Her voice broke as she finished, and she willed herself to keep it together.

 

She took in deep steady breaths, exhaling just as deeply.

 

When she felt the reins of her emotions safely in her hands again, she continued.

 

“Were you even ever my friend? Or did our friendship simply last this long because you never saw me a threat? You never saw me as your equal. Perhaps, you even thought you were doing me a favor, being my friend. You were the shining star, and I was the wall flower. You liked that, did you not? It pleased you very much. Which is why the very moment you believed I was going to get better than you, your true intentions were unmasked.”

 

“Imogen!” Alicia exclaimed. She seemed truly shocked by Imogen’s words, but Imogen could not bring herself to care.

 

“Why? Have I hurt you?”

 

“No! Yes! I . . . You . . .” she closed her eyes, biting her lips in apparent exasperation. “What I mean to say is that you are wrong! I loved you! I truly did! I already told you, none of this was planned, I swear it! I am sorry. We both are. I told Jerome to speak with you. I told him to end things, but he did not want to hurt you . . . it was why he continued. He was waiting for the perfect time. You must believe us. In our own ways, we both care for you.”

 

Imogen could not believe her ears. She had not expected much but she had at least hoped Alicia would not dare insult her intelligence any longer. She saw then that even there, she had been hoping for too much.

 

“Leave.” It was said simply, calmly yet, that one word held so much power.

 

Alicia’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

 

“Imogen?” she called, softly.

 

“You heard right. I want you to leave and never return. You do not seem remorseful at all, Alicia. In fact, you seem to take pride in what you have done. It is just as well. I shall hold no grudge against you, but I beseech you to never expect me to extend the hand of friendship again, not after today.”

 

She shook her head as the hurt deepened.

 

“You always had everything. All the attention, all the men fawning over you. I was never jealous. I cheered you on, even. Just this once . . . you could have let me have this one to myself, but you are not only selfish, you are also greedy. You thought it right to act on a whim and win him. Well, you succeeded. You must be proud. I do wish you a happy life with the baron. It appears you two are quite the suited pair.”

 

“Imogen . . .”

 

“Please, Alicia. Leave.” She was slowly losing the war with the tears that filled her eyes.

 

So much for believing I could handle it.

 

No matter, she was glad it was over and done with. Now, she knew the truth. It was all she wanted, was it not?

 

Alicia rose to her feet.

 

“Fine,” she said defiantly. “I shall leave. Nevertheless, you must know this. I did you a favor. Not as much as I did the baron, but I certainly did you a favor. How could you have hoped to keep a man like him? You have always been ordinary, Imogen. As you said, a wallflower. Bland and boring. Had I not stepped in, it was only a matter of time until Jerome tired of you. He would have left you, anyway.”

 

She lowered herself so she would be at eye level with Imogen. “Only then, it would have been too late. You would have been in way over your head. Perhaps, already married and he would not come home most nights. He would be away in the arms of his mistress and you would be alone, lonely and filled with nothing but regrets.”

 

She straightened. “The way I see it, I did you a kindness and you should be thankful. Someday, I believe you will find a man who will be perfect for you. Just as boring, without any sort of charm, whatsoever. Then, you will truly thank me.”

 

She huffed as she finished, picking up her reticule.

 

“I shall take my leave now. Farewell, old friend.”

 

The last words were said with a smirk, and Imogen watched in disbelief as Alicia walked away.

 

When she could no longer hear the footfalls, she let the tears flow free in silent streams.

 

How could anyone be so mean? So cruel? How could Alicia have said those words to her?

 

It was just as Imogen had thought. Alicia had never been her friend. It hurt that it had taken her so long to realize the truth, but she had. At the very least, now she knew everything. All that was left to do was heal.

 

She stayed in the drawing room for a while, drying her tears, gathering herself. When she fully recovered, she rose to her feet and stepped out into the gardens.

 

As she breathed in the sweet air, arms outstretched, she felt a sense of strength come upon her, and she knew she would be just fine.

 

Just like the flowers after a harsh winter, she would bloom, beginning life anew.