The Complicated Earl

by Audrey Harrison

  As they smiled and chatted to one or two friends standing at the entrance to the rooms they were approached by the Earl and Sophie, who had arrived behind them. The Earl looked at James with a frown. “It may not be London, but these rooms are always a damned crush!”

  “It’s wonderful! So many people and such beautiful dresses.” Sophie whispered to Isabelle.

  Isabelle smiled at her enthusiasm. “Your brother is correct, it isn’t up to London standards, but it’s fine for us lesser people. I hope you are ready to dance. I do not think you will have any spare time for anything else this evening.” Isabelle had noticed the appreciative stares Sophie was receiving from the gentlemen around them.

  The music started and James took Sophie’s hand and led her onto the dancefloor. Tom looked as if he was going to speak to Isabelle, but Mr Beckett came and claimed her. She was led away chatting easily to her friend as they joined the set. Mr Beckett was interested to catch up with Isabelle; he had not seen her properly since the new arrivals and was keen to find out about them. Isabelle was able to make him laugh as they moved up the set, describing her banter with the Earl. She was teased that she would have to be careful or she would lose her heart to the dashing stranger. Isabelle was able to reassure her friend with sincerity that her heart was in no danger; he was an amusing diversion only.

  She did not see Tom for nearly an hour, but as the second dance came to an end, her elbow was touched. She turned to see him holding her arm. She had known it was him before she turned and although his touch had sent a shiver of something through her, she was able to greet him with a smile.

  “Enjoying your evening?” She asked playfully.

  “Maybe, when I have claimed the dance I had to delay because of my sister’s interference,” he said moving her to dance with him. Isabelle found herself stiffening at his presumption that she was not engaged for the next dance, but chose to bite her tongue and not cause any upset. They moved to the head of the set and waited for the music to start. “Was that one of your beaux?” The Earl asked, his eyes flicking back to Mr Beckett, who was dancing with someone else in another set.

  “He’s an old friend,” Isabelle replied coolly.

  “Don’t try and tell me that you do not have a line of men wanting you for their wife, hoping that you will pick one of them,” Tom smiled, but it was more like a sneer.

  “You seem to be judging me by the standards of the women you obviously surround yourself with, desperate to keep a group of men around them to flirt with while trying to ensnare a husband, my Lord,” Isabelle answered as they moved through the set.

  “Not at all, I’m judging you by the standard of women in this room and you outshine them all. You must be sought out by many.”

  Isabelle fought to stop the blush that threatened to betray her composure. She was sought out by many men and was unnerved by his accuracy. She tried to deflect the conversation. “My goodness, I do believe there was a compliment in your words. Be careful my Lord, your reputation will be damaged if people think you are being civil to a lady.”

  Tom smiled in genuine amusement. “I am assured of your confidence in the matter; otherwise I would not have spoken so rashly. So, are you constantly rejecting suitors even in sedate Bath?” He persisted.

  “Why is my personal life of such an interest?” Isabelle asked. Tom looked as if he was going to reply, but did not. He could not answer her; he just knew that he wanted to know. If the reason was to find out who his competition was he was not ready to acknowledge that to himself, but he knew he would continue to try and find out until she answered. Isabelle had asked the question in exasperation, she had a feeling that it was probably easier to answer, but found the probing question difficult. Eventually when it became apparent that the Earl was not going to answer she felt forced to respond. “I have had a few proposals, but I am always clear in my not encouraging such approaches. You make me answer you in a way that I sound vain, admitting to receiving more than one.”

  “I wouldn’t accuse you of being vain with the look of discomfort that is on your face. We had better change the subject, or I shall be seen as a very undesirable partner by anyone watching us dance,” Tom smiled.

  “As you are titled, you could never be seen as an undesirable partner, my Lord,” Isabelle smiled back. “There are women enough prepared to put up with far more difficulties than living with you would bring. Many would put up with much for the chance to receive your title and fortune, as I am sure you are aware.”

  Tom grimaced, “I’m only too well aware. I used to dream when I was a young boy of disguising myself and finding a lady that would not care if I had nothing to recommend me apart from my character.”

  “If you did meet such a lady, you could never have married her,” Isabelle said and smiled wickedly at Tom’s raised eyebrows. “Well she could not be a sensible woman if she fell in love with your character alone could she?”

  “You terrible woman!” Tom laughed. “I must remember never to introduce you to anyone I may want to impress.”

  “Probably a very wise course of action,” Isabelle smiled as the dance came to an end.

  They moved to the side of the room and were immediately approached by James and Sophie. Isabelle noticed a small group of people hanging back a little.

  “Tom, I have such good news, the Miss Arnolds are in Bath, with their brother and mother! Isn’t that wonderful?” Sophie beamed at her brother, failing to notice the slight start of his body at her announcement, but he had already seen the group and bowed to them stiffly at Sophie’s words.

  Sophie indicated for her friends to join her and they immediately moved towards her with smiling faces. Sophie took the hand of the eldest girl and made the introductions. “Miss Crawford, Mr Crawford I would like to introduce you to my dear friend Miss Charlotte Arnold. This is her younger sister Miss Cecily Arnold, her brother Mr Sidney Arnold and their mother Mrs Arnold.”

  Bows and curtsies were made all around, with Isabelle acutely aware that the Earl was not happy with the situation. She gained a little more insight when Mrs Arnold started to speak. “Well, what a lovely surprise this is your Lordship. I must say what a coincidence it is that we are all in Bath together. I do think our two girls have been playing games with us your Lordship, planning their little get together behind our back. I’m sure I can understand it though, they are such good friends and don’t like being parted. When did you arrive in Bath? We only arrived today, but there was to be no resting for my girls, they wanted to dance straight away. I told them we may have no acquaintance in Bath, but they insisted that we could watch the dancing if nothing else, but they knew didn’t they? They knew! Well I must say this is a fine room and so many couples, I could have hardly imagined there would be so many, although my sister does live in Bath, so she writes regularly and tells me about the Assemblies, but who’d have thought so many couples. Such a good thing for young ladies don’t you think?”

  During this tirade, Tom had gained an expression of barely suppressed anger. Isabelle interpreting that his feelings were not very charitable towards Mrs Arnold and her brood. When Mrs Arnold finished and finally took a breath he looked almost worried at the woman in case she needed an answer. Isabelle decided to show some compassion. She was not sure whether it was for Mrs Arnold or the Earl, but chose to help alleviate the atmosphere that threatened to descend as everyone waited to see the Earl’s response.

  “The Assemblies are very popular, most of the residents and visitors enjoy them. Have you taken any refreshments yet Mrs Arnold?” Isabelle asked politely, receiving a grateful look from Sophie.

  “No not yet, but my girls are here to dance, so their need is greater than mine. Refreshments are not as important as dancing to young people don’t you find? I remember being partial to dancing myself, but then of course I met Mr Arnold and my dancing days were over!” She giggled as if she was the young woman and not a woman of over forty, who was as wide as she was tall.

  Tom looked even more h
orrified, but this time Sophie intervened. “James must dance with Charlotte; I do so want you two to get to know one another.”

  James bowed politely and offered his hand to Miss Arnold. Mr Arnold moved towards Sophie. “Would you do me the honour of joining me in this dance Lady Sophie?”

  Sophie smiled up at him and he led her away. Tom took hold of Isabelle’s hand, “it is time for our second I believe,” and he forced her to follow the other pairs.

  Isabelle had to really fight for control, she was desperate to laugh and when Tom turned to face her, he caught her expression and she received the most impish grin from him. “I’m sorry, I know I dragged you here, but I could not face partnering a girl barely out of the schoolroom!”

  “Don’t worry I think from the expression of relief on Miss Cecily’s face when you took hold of my hand, she did not want to dance with the fierce- some Earl, any more than you wanted to dance with her,” Isabelle laughed.

  “God, why has that damned family come here?” Tom snapped half to himself.

  “Are they so objectionable?” Isabelle asked sensing there was something that she was not aware of because of his reaction.

  “Miss Arnold and Sophie have been friends for many years, they became acquainted through a relation of my mother’s and I have cursed the day they met,” Tom explained quietly as the dance progressed.

  “Why?” Isabelle asked. “I can understand objections to the mother, although she seems harmless enough, just an excessive chatterbox. But Miss Arnold seemed a pleasant girl.”

  The Earl looked at Isabelle as if deciding whether to carry on, but after a few moments he started to speak. “Sophie is very young for her age, you’ve probably noticed.” It was a statement more than a question and Isabelle inclined her head in agreement. “I have always tried for the best, but knew she would face what you and I were faced with as soon as she came out in society -the usual fortune hunters. I enlisted a sister of my mother’s to help with Sophie’s upbringing, but she was as silly as Mrs Arnold. By the time I had realised what damage she could do to a girl of impressionable age she had filled Sophie’s head with silly nonsense and had introduced the Arnolds to her. I have no real objections to the girls, they are full of harmless romantic nonsense. I should imagine all girls are at their ages, but I do not trust the brother.”

  “He seemed quiet, but I’m not surprised in front of you,” Isabelle teased. “Do you think he has secured Sophie’s affection in the past?” Her thoughts immediately went to consequences of such an attachment with regards to her brother.

  “I did once,” Tom said candidly. “I challenged Sophie over it, but she denied it most forcefully, saying that of course she spent time with Mr Arnold, but purely as her best friend’s brother, nothing else.”

  “And you believed her?” Isabelle asked, knowing full well that she would have said exactly the same if she had been challenged in such a way by either of her brothers.

  “Not really,” Tom smiled at Isabelle’s expression. “Luckily I was able to take a more active role from then on in Sophie’s life and I chaperoned her more than our Aunt and I must say it had the desired effect on all the fortune hunters that had been hanging around.”

  Isabelle could not help laughing at the thought. “I’m sure it did!”

  “The Arnolds seemed to fade into the background and I was happy with that. Sophie did not seem too upset, which I was relieved at. I had not wanted to upset her, just protect her. I knew she was still writing to Charlotte Arnold, but I did not see any harm in that and then James appeared and her mind seemed to be agreeably engaged from then on.”

  Isabelle was now even more concerned for her brother’s welfare. “Do you think she has encouraged James because she feels he is a man you will approve of? I would not like to see either enter into an attachment on those grounds. I know how much James thinks of her and I would be saddened to think she is only with him because you approve and not because she loves him.”

  Tom smiled slightly. “If you had seen me at the beginning of their acquaintance, you would not be questioning me about that. I did not approve in the slightest at the start and made my feelings quite clear to both of them. To be fair to James he persisted and Sophie encouraged him, while defending him to me. I must admit I did bring her here to see if the attachment on her side was strong enough to stand being in more confined society, but it seems that I have been duped into the reintroduction of that damned family!”

  Isabelle allowed the statement about confined society go without comment, she could see the reason behind the Earl’s thoughts. One thing she disagreed with him about was the level of affection towards James on Sophie’s part and now she wondered if Sophie was playing a more dangerous game than her brother realised. “I would suggest you are all politeness to the family and keep them very close to you during your stay,” she suggested.

  “Why on earth would I want to do that?” Tom demanded.

  “That way Sophie may betray what she truly feels, as may Mr Arnold. It would be preferable than meetings going on without your knowledge.”

  Tom paused before speaking. “You are right, but I’d come to the conclusion that our trip to Bath was going to be enjoyable after all and now there will be little time for pleasure being in company with the Arnolds!”

  Isabelle wondered if he referred to her when he mentioned having an enjoyable stay, but chided herself on her vanity and the fact that it was becoming more important to gain approval from the man before her. Instead she offered reassurance, “Don’t worry I will support you whenever I can.”

  “I insist on your support to keep me sane!” Tom growled.

  Chapter 5

  Isabelle confided her worries to Mary the following morning over breakfast. It was one of the few times that she appreciated James being a late riser which gave her the opportunity of speaking frankly to her cousin. As Isabelle spoke, she did not know whether to feel reassured that her worries were not an overreaction, or even more concerned by Mary’s troubled expression. She finished her story and although she could not give any information about Sophie showing any decided preference to Mr Arnold, she had danced with him twice and they had all gone in for refreshments together. Sophie had sat next to James, but the chat had no longer looked like that of lovers, more of friends as the whole group took part.

  “I can understand why you would be concerned. It seems to be a very complicated situation and I imagine that the Earl would not have removed Lady Sophie from the company of the Arnolds without just cause. He does not appear to be a man who acts on whims,” Mary said quietly. “Poor James, did he notice anything amiss?”

  “I think so from his expression once the Arnolds had joined our party. We had spoken before going out though and I had told him to be brighter around Lady Sophie or she would soon get tired of his possessive moods. I did not realise he would be faced with a previous suitor, for whom we do not know the true extent of her affection. That would dampen anyone’s mood. All we can be sure of is that Lady Sophie knows her brother’s opinion of Mr Arnold and so will probably not show her true feelings. This means we can only guess where her affection really lies. Oh, this is a horrible situation!” Isabelle groaned.

  “We have to keep on as normal and try to make things as if Mr Arnold has not stirred up such feelings of concern. We don’t know after all if Lady Sophie told her brother the truth and does see him as a friend’s brother. We should give her the benefit of the doubt until there is opportunity to find out more,” Mary reasoned.

  “I am trying to give her credit for not treating James in such a manner, but I am worried about James in all of this because she could be using him. We don’t know her well enough to be sure she would not encourage James while her affections are already secured by another. I wish I did not doubt her, but I do not know her well enough to know her character fully. I feel shame that I would doubt someone of our acquaintance so much,” Isabelle said.

  “That is understandable. But let’s do our best to kee
p our concerns to ourselves; it will not help anyone if you voice your doubts. I feel our role is to support James and observe until we see something that would support or disprove your concerns,” Mary said firmly. They resolved to make sure James’s visit would continue to pass with as few worries as possible. Matters would only be made worse if James knew his sister and cousin had doubts about Sophie’s integrity.

  James and Isabelle had arranged to meet the Earl and Lady Sophie to walk in Sidney Gardens after breakfast. They had decided against horse riding; a decision which Isabelle regretted making the more she thought about Mr Arnold. She was concerned that they would meet the Arnolds on their walk preventing James spending time with Sophie. She managed to shake her worries away by the time James joined them and soon they were all walking through the gates at the end of Great Pulteney Street into the Gardens along with many other Bath residents.

  The day was fine if chilly, but there was much shelter within the gardens and they set a brisk pace. Sophie and James became separated slightly, of which Isabelle was glad to see and gave the Earl a little smile when she saw him glance at her after watching the pair for a few moments. He returned her smile and she was reassured that if her doubts proved to be unfounded James would eventually receive his approval.

  Sophie approached Isabelle as they left the labyrinth. “Are you visiting the Pump Rooms today, Miss Crawford?”

  “Unfortunately not. I need to make some purchases, so I’m afraid the pull of Milsom Street is greater than the Pump Room today,” Isabelle answered in her usual playful way.

  “Oh, would you mind if I accompanied you? I’ve heard so much of the shopping in Bath, but have not had chance to do any. My brother isn’t very patient when visiting shops.”

  Isabelle laughed. “I don’t think many men have the patience to shop, but yes, you would be very welcome. You can advise Mary and me on how to achieve the latest London fashions; it is some months since I have been to London, so I am sadly out of date.”