“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve your censure and disapproval all these years,” Imogen said with quiet dignity. “I have done everything I could to please you. But it was never enough. I understand that you were upset when you spoke those words just now, and therefore I will not hold them against you.
“However, please know that though I was happy to come to London for my sister, I will be returning to Hillview Manor tomorrow. I’m sure you all realize I have not been content here in town, and I know you only want what is best for me, which is to return to the country with all due speed. If when you return home it pains you to have me in the house, I will set up my own household with Papa’s help.”
With that she turned and walked toward the stairs. Her hand on the railing, she said over her shoulder, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to make plans for my trip tomorrow.”
She walked up the stairs without a backward glance.
• • •
Mariah stole into Imogen’s room late that night, her face drawn from worry. But there was a certain unconcealed awe in her eyes. She stood with her back pressed to the door, studying Imogen.
“What is it?” Imogen said, pushing aside the covers on her bed and rushing to her sister.
“You have changed so much,” Mariah breathed. “I never thought you would stand up to Mama as you did.”
Imogen winced. Though she felt empowered, though it had been the right thing to do, she felt a twinge of guilt. Having been brought up to obey, she doubted it would ever be comfortable for her to go against her parents’ wishes. “Was she very upset?” she asked, pulling Mariah over to the bed and settling onto it with her.
A twinkle entered Mariah’s cerulean blue eyes. “Very. She slumped right to the floor. Papa had to revive her with smelling salts. And when she came to and began thrashing about, moaning and carrying on, he just left her there.” She giggled. “When Mama saw she had no audience she got right up, gave a sniff, and called for the carriage to take her shopping.”
Imogen clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. “You are jesting, surely.”
“On my honor, it’s the truth.” She chuckled. “Oh, Imogen, you were fantastic. If nothing else, Lord Willbridge has done wonders for your self-worth.” Mariah suddenly gasped, her eyes filling with regret. “Oh, I am so sorry, dearest.”
The shock of hearing Caleb’s title hit Imogen like a kick to the stomach. She patted Mariah’s hand, hating the misery on her sister’s face, though her heart felt as if it were breaking anew. “Why should you be sorry?” she whispered. “It’s true. He did give me a strength I never knew I had. Or, at least, he helped me to realize the strength that was already in me.”
“But why did you refuse him, Imogen? I can tell you love him.”
Imogen laughed without humor. “Dear me, everyone seems to have been able to guess at my feelings for him. It’s amazing that the man himself never realized. Though I should be grateful, considering his decided lack of that particular sentiment.” Her voice had turned bitter, and she took a deep breath to calm the ugly emotions clamoring inside her.
Mariah looked at her in confusion. “But I don’t understand. Lord Willbridge cares for you very much.”
“Yes,” Imogen replied, suddenly beyond weary, “as a friend and no more.”
“But even if that were true—which I do not believe it is—shouldn’t you give it a chance, to see if something stronger could develop?”
“Mariah, you have seen what has happened to Frances.”
At the mention of their sister, Mariah’s face fell. “But that is a different matter entirely.”
“Is it? She loves her husband, desperately. And he does not love her. You have seen what that has done to her. She used to be so very jolly, always happy, always laughing. But I cannot remember the last time I saw her smile. I cannot live that life, Mariah. It would kill me. You know it would.”
Even Mariah could not fight such logic, she saw. The younger girl’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Imogen buried her grief and forced an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, dearest, but I really do need to get some sleep if I’m to leave on the morrow.”
Mariah roused a bit at that and looked as if she were about to argue the matter, but at the last moment she pressed her lips together and nodded. As she leaned in to embrace her sister, however, she whispered, “You are wrong about his feelings for you, you know. I only hope you see it before it’s too late.”
Chapter 34
A soft tapping sound woke Imogen some hours later. She jolted awake, staring with wide eyes at the darkness around her, listening intently but hearing nothing further. Just as she began to relax back into sleep, thinking perhaps she had imagined the entire thing, she heard it again.
Tap, tap, tap. Something was hitting her window softly, with rhythmic regularity. Could it be the branches of the tree that loomed nearby?
But a second later she heard a soft curse. Fear coursed through her. Trees certainly did not curse.
And then someone began to push her window open…from the outside.
She bolted upright, fumbling for her spectacles, her hands shaking as she reached for the book on her bedside table, the only heavy object within reach.
She slipped from the bed, eyes wide and anchored to the dark figure slithering into the room. Keeping to the shadows, she held the book tightly to her chest. The intruder moved toward the bed on silent feet, pausing when he saw it was empty. A chill stole through her.
