The Complicated Earl

by Audrey Harrison

  “As long as it is not my sister’s fortune he can marry whom he likes!” Tom exploded.

  “Well she did not give any indication of partiality towards him, more anger because of Charlotte’s position, but she would not let me see if she felt otherwise. You should not condemn her for her feelings, it is unjust that a girl is penalised because she has no fortune,” Isabelle scolded.

  “It works both ways as Sophie pointed out with money chasing money. We both have experience of how unjust society can be,” Tom declared with a shrug.

  ”Have you never been tempted to marry?” Isabelle asked, curiosity overcoming her feelings of the appropriateness of the question. She wanted to know more about his romances, but experienced a strange feeling of dread when she waited to see if he would admit to being in love.

  “No, never. I only had three criteria and they were she had to be indifferent to my title, indifferent to my fortune and a pleasure to be with. I’m still waiting to meet that person,” he replied with a half-smile. He could not tell Isabelle his real view of marriage, it would leave him too open, too vulnerable and he had spent his life disguising that vulnerability beneath his rakish behaviour.

  Isabelle burst out laughing and it was a few minutes before she could control herself enough to speak. “Only three criteria? There isn’t a woman in the world who would meet all that, I’m sorry to tell you, but as your friend I feel I must. You are going to end your life unmarried.”

  Tom smiled, “With women like you around to shred my every last piece of self-esteem, my response to that is, good!”

  “I thought you would have been a hard man to please with all your scowling and growling, but I didn’t think it would be an impossible task,” Isabelle giggled.

  “Scowling and growling? My God, you have a low opinion of me!” came the shocked voice.

  “I like to think of it as a realistic opinion of you,” Isabelle teased.

  “I don’t think I can take any more of this,” came the anguished cry from Tom. “Why was James blessed with such a sister? If he marries Sophie I will have you in my life forever!”

  Tom’s words caused Isabelle’s stomach to twist. For the first time she thought of him always being in her life as brother-in-law to James and the sensation was not pleasant. It would be like having a favourite toy and not being able to touch it. She had regulated her feelings because she had thought that the situation was temporary, but his words made her realise that it was going to be more difficult to be around Tom for a longer period of time. Her silence was noticed by Tom and he asked if he had upset her.

  “No, not at all,” she smiled, regaining her composure. “Your words reminded me of James and Sophie’s romance. Are you ever going to give them permission to marry?”

  Tom looked at Isabelle in his usual appraising way. “I was going to speak to Sophie at some point over the weekend. I had decided that there was no use in prolonging withholding my approval any longer. You were right; James will make her a good husband. It is obvious that he dotes on her and I don’t see what it will achieve holding off anymore.”

  “I don’t suppose this ties in with you needing to go back to your estate does it, or even the sudden appearance of the Arnolds? Just an assumption on my part,” Isabelle said trying to look innocent and failing.

  This time it was Tom who howled with laughter. “Those reasons may have a little to do with it yes, but if I hadn’t already made a decision, I would not hurry it because I needed to return to Kent next week.”

  “You don’t need to defend your actions to me,” Isabelle assured him. “I know you have your sister’s best interests at heart. So hopefully there will be an announcement next week? That is excellent, I would be more than happy to welcome Lady Sophie as my new sister.”

  The Earl bowed to the compliment and they continued to ride, both tied up in their own thoughts. Isabelle trying to resolve that she would have to see the Earl as little as possible if she was to prevent completely losing her heart to him. He already had too great an effect on her and she knew being in his company more would make it worse. He had made it quite clear that he was not interested in marriage. At least he would be leaving next week. Her resolve could not prevent the feeling of desolation though when she thought of his going. As much as she tried to guard her feelings when he was around her, life would seem empty without him.

  He, on the other hand was wondering how fortunate it was that with James and Sophie married he would continue to see Isabelle. He may not want to marry her and he had to restrain himself regularly from taking her into his arms and kissing her, but he had to admit to himself that he had never met anyone quite like her and wanted to maintain the acquaintance. With James and Sophie married he was sure to see her and if he ever came to Bath, he would be justified in spending a lot of time with her, even staying with her, as they would be related and it would be perfectly respectable. This thought was likely to keep his mood buoyant each time it came into his mind.

  They arrived at an inn and entered to eat, drink and freshen up. Isabelle spent the time talking with James and Sophie. The Earl was happy to listen to their conversation, while watching Isabelle, his favourite pastime since he had come to Bath.

  They took a walk after their lunch to a nearby church to stretch their legs before setting out on the return journey. They were a quieter group on the way home, although Isabelle did take opportunities to tease the Earl whenever she could. The temptation was too great, even with James muttering to her to behave more like a lady.

  *

  Friday was a quiet day for Isabelle. The Earl and Sophie had promised to visit family in Bristol while they were in the area and the Earl thought it important to go while he still had the opportunity. It gave Isabelle a day of respite from him, which was welcome after the feelings that had been stirred during the outing. After she had spent time in the morning visiting with Mary she strolled with her maid down to the circulating library to choose her next reading material before returning home for a quiet lunch. They had both decided to dine at home during Friday as they had the ball on Saturday evening and they had been out every other night. James left them after their meal to join some friends in playing cards, a pastime Isabelle could never understand, but she appreciated the time alone with Mary.

  She told her about Thursday and what Sophie and the Earl had said. “So, it looks like there will be an announcement next week. We know how strongly James feels about her,” Isabelle said once the servants had left them to talk openly with each other. “I admit I have not seen any preference towards Mr Arnold from Lady Sophie, but I will be relieved when the engagement is made formal and Mr Arnold leaves Bath.”

  “Yes, his presence has made everyone more on edge than we expected to be at such a time,” Mary agreed.

  “I don’t suppose we shall ever know what has truly gone on between Lady Sophie and Mr Arnold, but if it was just a first harmless romance there should not be any serious impact on her marriage with James.”

  “It will take some time to realise that James will finally be married,” Mary said quietly, “But as long as he is happy we who care for him can ask for no more.”

  Chapter 8

  Isabelle dressed with care on Saturday night. She did not question herself too closely as to whom she was trying to impress. She did not want to admit the answer to herself. She wore a cream silk, which had a pattern embroidered over the bottom of the skirt in the same colour as the material. The neckline was round and low and the sleeves puffed at the shoulders. The colour of the material brought out the colour of her skin and contrasted with her dark hair. She had small, tight curls framing her face, with the remaining hair tied up and adorned with cream flowers. She wore a simple pearl necklace and long white gloves. The skin between the top of her gloves and her sleeves seemed to enhance the colour of the material. Her eyes were bright and her skin slightly flushed as she looked forward to the evening, which only added to the overall effect.

  When she entered Mary’s chamb
er, Mary stopped still when she saw Isabelle. “I think there could be two announcements next week with you looking like that,” she smiled at her cousin. “You look beautiful.”

  “You know that word is reserved for people like Lady Sophie,” Isabelle chastised gently, “But I do think I am passable tonight.”

  Mary smiled and patted Isabelle’s arm, “just about passable my dear, just about passable.”

  Isabelle received a “By Jove” from James which made her laugh and increased her impatience at wanting to reach Mr Ollerton’s as soon as they could. There was one person she wanted to see appreciation in their expression, even if he was not to be her partner for the first two dances.

  When they arrived Mr Ollerton was all bluster around Isabelle. “Well you may have refused my marriage proposal, but at least you start the dancing with me,” he teased as he welcomed them. “Ah Earl of Standish, welcome my Lord!”

  Isabelle turned to see the Earl behind her. This was not quite the entrance she had hoped for, that had been of her sweeping down a staircase to see the Earl looking up at her in awe. Instead he had obviously heard what Mr Ollerton had said to her and had his usual unreadable expression on his face. He made his greeting to Mr Ollerton with Sophie and then joined Isabelle’s party. They said their hellos and moved into the large ballroom. It had been decorated for the occasion with pink and cream flowers. Isabelle looked around with pleasure, but could not resist thinking that at least she did not clash with the decorations.

  “What are you smiling to yourself about now?” Tom asked at her ear.

  “I was just thinking how considerate it was of Mr Ollerton to take into account the colour I would be wearing and completing his decoration to complement it,” Isabelle said with a smile.

  “Ridiculous girl!” Tom smiled back. “I overheard that he is another one of your rejected suitors. Tell me is Bath full of them?”

  Isabelle smiled, “No, there’s only a few in Bath, London has far more!”

  “Come on heartless, let us circulate.” Tom touched the small of her back for just a moment as he guided her into the room. Isabelle had to resist moving closer to him as the crowds let them through. Close contact with him was not advisable in her present state of mind.

  They were separated as soon as the music started. Mr Ollerton came to claim his dances and led Isabelle to the top of the set. She knew he was a good dancer and looked forward to the next hour with him. Isabelle had noticed that the Earl was dancing with Mary and was glad her cousin had a partner; she was sometimes a reluctant dancer. James of course was dancing with Sophie and Isabelle smiled as she saw Sophie chattering to James as they stood half way down the set.

  “Are you distracted tonight?” Mr Ollerton asked when he saw her looking down the set numerous times.

  “I apologise,” Isabelle said quickly, “I find myself watching my brother and Lady Sophie, they make a good pair.”

  “That’s a relief; I thought you were pining after the Earl. A mere Mr doesn’t seem to be able to compete with an Earl in securing the affections of young ladies. I hoped you were not as fickle as other ladies of my acquaintance in hankering after a title. I have seen it happen before and it isn’t pleasant when two people are mismatched purely because one chased after a title.” Mr Ollerton said, in a tone that surprised Isabelle. She had not heard such peevishness from her friend before and did not like it.

  “There is no competition for anyone to take part in as far as I am concerned. You know my position with regards to long-lasting attachments or marriage,” she replied, being reluctant to go over old ground. One disadvantage of spending too much time with Mr Ollerton was that he did tend to go over and over the fact that she had refused his marriage proposal, which she found wearing.

  “Yes, but I was hoping to change your mind eventually. You can’t expect me to have believed the sincerity of your refusal the way we rattle along together. I have decided it is time I change the way I approach you. Tonight we have the chance to become more intimately acquainted if you agree, to see if we are not suited after all? Perhaps my actions will be more to your taste. I cannot convince you through words it seems.” The words were said as if Mr Ollerton had been drinking Isabelle thought with dismay. She did not want a scene to be caused by the foolish actions of a man worse for drink, especially this early in the night and definitely as that man was the host. It would be extremely embarrassing for all those involved, although his words had shocked her.

  “I thought we were friends Mr Ollerton. Your words sadden and upset me. If I have been mistaken in our friendship I beg your pardon, but I will never change my mind. I am sorry if my actions towards you have led you to think I did not mean what I said, but let me assure you, my refusal was given with the utmost sincerity.” Isabelle spoke with aloofness. She had had to refuse Mr Ollerton’s proposal almost as soon as she had come to live in Bath and she had since come to regard him as one of her close friends, even with his faults.

  She was disappointed and annoyed to find that he had been still convinced that she would eventually marry him, but now added to it. His words about becoming more intimately acquainted had the effect of making her feel threatened in his company. She had never been spoken to in such a manner before and it made her feel uncomfortable. There was something in Mr Ollerton’s manner that made her feel wary and uneasy.

  “You can’t criticise a man for trying, I never thought you were truly serious. Will you never change your mind?” Mr Ollerton asked with a smile, but there was a change in his usual easy manner.

  “I’m sorry but I will not,” Isabelle said wearily but firmly.

  Isabelle was relieved when Mr Ollerton changed the subject when they started the second dance and he could not have picked a better subject to grab her attention. “The Earl seems to be like his father before him,” he said as the music started.

  “I did not realise you were both acquainted,” Isabelle replied. There had been no recognition as far as she could tell on either part.

  “I only met the current Earl once when he was a boy, I doubt he recognised me. I knew his father and mother. His mother was a welcoming lady, far warmer than your friend.”

  Isabelle noticed the emphasis on the word welcoming and it made her want to withdraw from Mr Ollerton’s touch as their hands made contact as part of the dance. She had not seen this side of him before, her sense of unease increased. Politeness kept her smiling and continuing with the dance and her curiosity encouraged her to ask further about the Earl’s family. She justified it to herself by wanting to find out more as they were soon to be family, but in reality she was curious about more information of the young Earl.

  “Lady Sophie has said her mother died young, what was she like?”

  “She married the old Earl for his title. I mentioned earlier I had seen such things happen. He was not man enough to keep her happy, but as with most marriages there are ways to compensate for an inadequate husband. Something my wife would never need to do.” Mr Ollerton leered at Isabelle and squeezed her hand.

  Isabelle fought the urge to snatch her hand away. “So it was an unhappy marriage?” she persisted.

  “I think Sophia was happy of sorts in the end. There were those like me who were willing to oblige such a vivacious woman. Her husband was weak and stayed in the background, drinking himself into oblivion, the fool. It was a sad day when Sophia died. Society lost one of its most obliging ladies.”

  Isabelle hoped Mr Ollerton could not see the disgust on her face. She was more disgusted at his attitude and the use of the mother of the Earl’s given name than she was of what she had heard. As the dance progressed and she was separated from Mr Ollerton there was less time to talk and she was able to mull over what she had heard. She wondered what kind of a mother would entertain other men in the way that had been hinted at, but also allow them to meet her children. It seemed very strange and she came to the conclusion that the Earl could not have lived in a happy home, especially at the reference of his father drink
ing into oblivion.

  The second set ended and Mr Ollerton bowed stiffly over her hand and brought the subject back to that of marriage again. “I hope you have a good evening Miss Crawford. It seems I have been confused by the nature of your previous refusals and now understand that unlike Sophia, your hesitation was not a ploy to make the winning of your hand all the sweeter, but a cold refusal by someone without many more options. I hope you will not come to regret refusing me as I will not be foolish enough to offer again.” He moved quickly away without meeting her gaze and Isabelle was left feeling foolish and angry. The tone used when delivering the set-down certainly made her feel in some way at fault, even though she had never given him any cause to think she did not mean her words. The evening that she had had such high hopes about was rapidly turning into an evening she would rather forget.

  She moved over towards the window and tried to stay away from anyone she knew. She just wanted a few moments alone to collect herself and return to the good mood that had been lost over the last half hour. The window was open behind her and she stood almost obscured from the party within the folds of the curtain as it blew in the breeze. She took slow deep breaths to try and calm her feelings of anger and embarrassment.

  “Are you hiding?” Came the familiar drawl of Tom’s. Isabelle was startled by his voice. She had been deep in thought and had not felt him approach. “I’m sorry I did not mean to startle you, are you unwell?” He said more softly as he had noticed her drawn expression when she turned towards him.

  His concerned voice made tears spring to Isabelle’s eyes. This surprised her almost as much as Tom had when he had spoken. Isabelle looked up, trying to blink the tears away and tried to smile, but before she managed to say anything she had been ushered through the window.

  “What is wrong?” Tom’s voice was more urgent now. He knew how strong a character Isabelle was even on so short an acquaintance, and to see her on the verge of tears had shaken him to his core. He fought the knot that was forming in his stomach as he realised something had happened to upset her. He tried to hide his mixed emotions upon realising that he could not bear to see Isabelle anything but happy.