The Complicated Earl

by Audrey Harrison

  One morning Mary joined Isabelle as she was losing yet again in a game of backgammon. “James would like you to accompany him on a ride Isabelle, if you have no objections.”

  Isabelle smiled, “I’m trying to retrieve my appalling record of losing every game to Tom.” They had decided to forgo the formalities and use their Christian names almost as soon as the Earl had regained consciousness. They were spending so much time together in such close contact that it seemed too formal not to.

  “I think Tom would agree that the fresh air would do you good,” Mary persisted.

  “Yes, I’m supposed to be the patient, but you are becoming as pale as I sitting indoors every day. I am surprised you have been able to stand it,” Tom replied.

  “Why do I attract insults about my looks?” Isabelle muttered. “Oh to be a woman who has poetry written about her and has men swooning at her feet.”

  “That would only bore you,” Mary smiled. “Come, you haven’t been on that horse of yours for an age. I’m sure I can lose just as easily as you seem to be able to do.”

  “My wounded pride,” Isabelle said with mock seriousness. “Well as my looks and my game playing have been insulted I shall return to the protection of my brother.”

  “Go and get some colour in those cheeks!” Mary laughed.

  Isabelle joined James at the stables, ready to enjoy herself. She had felt confined indoors, although she did not relinquish her role as chief nurse easily. She had not been for a ride since before James’ and Mary’s wedding and Beauty was excited at finally going for some exercise.

  “The horse is keen to be off,” James said at Beauty’s second head shake.

  “Yes, there’s no chance of a civilised trot today. I hope you are ready for a gallop,” Isabelle smiled in reply.

  “Lead on,” James instructed and Isabelle moved out of the stable.

  They rode out, starting to canter as soon as the building was left behind. Isabelle felt liberated straight away, she took great lungfuls of air as Beauty cantered over the familiar landscape. Isabelle skirted along the edge of the woods and then jumped the hedge, there would be no confines for Beauty today. The fresh air brought the much needed colour to Isabelle’s cheeks and blew away her feelings of being surrounded by the still air of the house.

  They stopped at the top of a hill, about three miles from home. “I never tire of riding this beast,” Isabelle said with a smile, patting her horse.

  “A fine horse that needed this run. You have been neglecting your animal.”

  “I know, but with good reason. I should have more time now Tom is well on the road to recovery.”

  “Have you had a change of heart over his proposal?” James asked as he moved his horse next to hers. He did not meet her gaze, but the question was asked without any antagonism in his voice.

  Isabelle stiffened slightly, it was the first time it had been mentioned since her interview with Frank and James. “No and I never shall. I do not want a marriage on the terms he offered, I cannot marry him in that way. Is it so wrong to want my husband to love me?”

  “No it isn’t, but surely love would grow. Mary is convinced there is attraction between you both,” James cajoled.

  “Mary is full of romance since her marriage to you!” Isabelle smiled. “I do not want a husband on such terms, no-matter what the consequence. I know the ultimate cost to me will be my respectability and I am sorry for what pain that will cause you, I do not wish you to suffer any shame because of me. Please don’t let us disagree about this again James. I wish to forget the whole episode.”

  “I don’t know if you will be allowed to,” James said frankly. “The Longworths made a comment the other night when Mary and I had supper with them. They were too polite to come straight out with exactly what they had heard, but it was obvious some rumours are circling.”

  “Damn society!” Isabelle ground out.

  “Isabelle! There is no need for such language! I would expect more from you!” James scolded.

  “Sorry,” Isabelle smiled impishly. “Perhaps it’s time to plan my escape back to Bath. Tom won’t be here forever, he is recovering well.”

  *

  Tom was enjoying his game of Backgammon with Mary. She was a more patient opponent than Isabelle, who disliked any games really and grumbled throughout their contests.

  “It looks as if you are without a doubt the reigning champion,” Mary sat back in the chair. “Would you like some refreshments before I lose again?”

  He smiled at his opponent, “You are more gracious in losing than Isabelle. I have been threatened with everything from starvation to the reading of sermons whenever I have won.”

  “Ah I suppose it’s a little late to warn you about Isabelle’s competitive streak and bad reaction if she loses?” Mary smiled.

  “Umm, a little,” Tom murmured.

  Mary noticed the warm look in his eyes that appeared whenever he mentioned Isabelle and decided to try and find out about this man and his strange actions. “My loss is encouraging me to ask impertinent questions.”

  “Is it?” Tom asked, but immediately was more reserved and wary.

  “If I could be so bold, why have you never married? From an outsider’s view you have everything to offer, surely there must have been someone that matched your ideal woman?” Mary asked.

  An image of Isabelle thrust itself in front Tom when Mary mentioned an ideal woman, but he pushed it to one side. He could not be offended by Mary’s question, it was not unreasonable. He sighed before answering. “I have had responsibility for Sophie, so that weighed heavily at first, but before that I had decided that I would never marry.” He paused and seemed to struggle for words. “In addition to my decision when I entered society, I found that I am not so different from Isabelle in some ways. When I met her, although I found her situation strange I could understand it. Whenever I was in London I was courted by every debutante that wanted a title, a rich husband or a large estate. When they met me they thought I was ideal since I came with all three. Even the women who came with substantial dowries were no better, the title was usually attractive to them. It wasn’t very long until I was as cynical as Isabelle is about society, so I took off on my Grand Tour. I had decided not to go on one because of Sophie, but then I realised I needed to get away, so went on one later. I’ve realised since it was the year Isabelle was presented at court, which is why our paths never crossed until recently.”

  “She might have given you an insight into a different type of debutante,” Mary suggested wishing he had never gone on his Grand Tour.

  Tom laughed, “She probably would have. When I came back nothing had changed. I became even more cynical if that was possible, because now people thought I would be keen to marry as I was getting older and really increased the pressure. It was embarrassing, but I rejected everyone and although I gained the reputation of being a rake, I stayed away from anyone with whom I could be trapped into matrimony, spending my time with those who were not looking for marriage.”

  Mistresses and married women, Mary thought a little distastefully. She tried not to show her thoughts and continued encouraging him to talk. “Could you be accused of having standards that were impossible to achieve?”

  Tom smiled, “Isabelle once accused me of something similar. My explanation to her was if I was to marry anyone she had to not care for my title or my fortune and was a pleasure to be with. Before you start to laugh, Isabelle laughed for a good few minutes and told me in no uncertain terms that I was to end my days unmarried, which suited me.”

  Mary could not prevent the laugh escaping her, “I’m not surprised and I have to say that I can see why she said it. On the other hand, it must be difficult for you to try and find the genuine women under all the flurry. I did not realise how fortunate I was not to have a fortune.”

  Tom smiled, “I think you have found yourself a happy marriage despite your lack of fortune. James is a decent man.”

  Mary beamed, “Yes he is isn’t he? I
realise how lucky I am and I am aware that it was only through some discomfort for you that I benefited, so I offer my thanks.”

  “I think it has worked out for the best.” Tom said in his usual frank way.

  “Isabelle has been similar in experience to you, although she did not have a title. She nearly did once and managed to anger Frank yet again,” Mary smiled wryly.

  “How?” Tom could not help being very curious about anything to do with Isabelle’s history and even though he felt jealousy to think of her being courted he could not prevent himself from needing to know more.

  “She was proposed to by the Duke of Rutland. He was the perfect match really, he had his own fortune, so obviously was not a fortune hunter, had a grand title and was young and attractive. I was not living with her at the time as it was before she moved to Bath, but James told me that they were convinced she had found the perfect match. Everyone expected an announcement to be forthcoming.”

  “What happened?” Tom had a tightening in his stomach, even though he knew that nothing had come of the romance. He cursed at himself in order to try had get control of his jealousy.

  “She turned him down without a moment’s hesitation when he proposed. She said that she did not love him and it wouldn’t be fair on either of them if they married. The Duke was devastated and Frank really argued with her over the match, he was what you would have hated. He kept mentioning that she would be a Duchess, and demanded that she reconsider her offer until she told him in no uncertain terms that she would rather be a scullery maid and in love than a duchess to a man she did not love.”

  Tom laughed bitterly, “I expect Frank couldn’t understand her reasoning.”

  “No, but he is the second son, so did have to be more careful than either of the others. James provided for him to become a gentleman farmer rather than a clergyman, which as you know is the more common choice of career for second sons.”

  “With the lectures he seems to give Isabelle I think he missed his calling not going into the clergy,” Tom said with some sarcasm.

  “That is exactly what Isabelle has shouted at him on a number of occasions!” Mary laughed. “They do clash though and this last time has been very hurtful. Frank said things he had no right saying. I may be speaking out of turn Tom, but you could have handled the whole situation differently.”

  “I know, I have never acted so foolishly and I can’t explain it,” he replied shamefacedly.

  “Can you not?” Mary asked, but probed no more.

  Chapter 16

  The day Tom ventured downstairs was long overdue in his opinion. He had tried to be patient, but as a man used to constant activity he was soon desperate to leave the bed chamber behind. He had persuaded the doctor to allow him downstairs a few days before the initial two weeks recommendation had passed. He had arranged with Isabelle that before he went down he would bathe, supervised by his valet. Then his chamber would be thoroughly cleaned and aired while he was downstairs. He desperately wanted to feel fresher because he had felt embarrassment every time Isabelle had needed to go near him as the days had progressed.

  The drawing room was prepared and after lunch a pale, but determined Tom was helped into the room and placed on one of the sofas, to be surrounded and supported by cushions. Isabelle had rearranged the furniture slightly, turning the sofas towards the windows instead of their usual position around the fireplace so that Tom could look out of the window and see outdoors, if not feel the fresh air as yet.

  Mary and James joined the pair and gave some variation to the conversation. Isabelle knew Tom was not bored with her as such, but his routine was very mundane by now and she knew he would appreciate some extra company. James played chess with him while the ladies sewed.

  James suggested that Tom stay downstairs and have his evening meal with them, but before agreeing, Tom turned to Isabelle. “Nurse?” He asked with a good-natured smirk.

  “Sorry, no, not today. I don’t want you to have a relapse and give the doctor opportunity to criticise my nursing ability. Maybe in a day or two.”

  “Where did you find that doctor, James? He is a tyrant.” Tom said with a grimace, but he did not disagree with Isabelle’s decision.

  “We picked him especially for you, we knew you would take some handling,” James said with a shrug and a smile. There was no ill-feeling on James’s part, he was too much of a similar nature to Isabelle to hold onto any ill-feeling he may have felt on his wedding day. He had spent time talking over the situation with Mary and understood that there was more feeling on either side than was being admitted to.

  Tom turned to Isabelle, “I can see you take after your brother, with your quick putdowns. Could you tell your brother that I have been the perfect patient?”

  “Would you really want me to lie to James? I am shocked,” but seeing Tom’s stunned expression at her words she quickly relented. “I’m sorry, yes you have been a good patient overall.”

  Tom turned to Mary for support. “Why does she torment me so?”

  “It’s an endearment, honestly,” She smiled in return.

  Isabelle left Tom early that evening. His time downstairs had tired him and he had settled down to sleep as soon as returning to bed. He had thanked Isabelle for the day, before asking her to blow out the candles and wishing her a good night. She closed the door and sought out James and Mary.

  “He is improving,” James said, who had not really spent any time with the patient since the first day.

  “Yes he is, but he is still weak. I am constantly worried he will push himself too much,” Isabelle replied.

  “I don’t think he will, he knows when he has had enough. He is sensible and could not cope with the further confinement if he had a relapse, so he will be careful I am sure.” Mary reassured her.

  “If he continues to improve faster than the doctor predicted it won’t be long until he is able to travel back to London,” James mused.

  “It will be a while yet! He has only just managed to come downstairs, he is in no way able to make a journey to London. He is still delicate.” Isabelle said quickly, not knowing if she was responding as his nurse or something deeper.

  Isabelle was to be proved wrong. Once downstairs Tom’s recovery seemed to pick up its pace. He was determined to get back on his feet in the shortest time possible and each day pushed his rehabilitation within his ability. He wanted to be able to walk around the house and then once walking around he wanted to venture outside. He managed to persuade Isabelle to accompany him on his first walk.

  He had a greatcoat over him, his shoulder was still strapped up, so attempting to put on a frock coat on was an impossibility, but as long as he accepted that he could not be gallant and offer Isabelle his arm, he could manage with the greatcoat. They walked through the formal gardens laid out immediately in front of the house. Isabelle was determined not to wander too far on the first time outside.

  “I never thought I would appreciate the feel of a cool wind,” Tom said lifting his face slightly to feel the full effect of the breeze. They had walked away from the house, into the maze of pathways that surrounded the flowerbeds that were bordered by well-trimmed box hedges. It was too early to admire the blooms that would adorn the garden in late summer, but the neatness and formality of the beds still gave the area an elegant feel.

  “I know it has been hard being so restricted, but you still need to be careful not to push yourself too much,” Isabelle chided gently.

  “I can’t with you as my nurse,” he smiled at her. “You must have felt as confined as me over these last weeks, my bed chamber has been your prison as much as mine.”

  “I perhaps viewed it differently, we women are more accustomed to a more confined existence and I had a patient to keep me occupied.”

  “I haven’t deserved the care I have received from you. You had every right to shun me after what trouble I’ve caused.”

  “Oh don’t go all contrite on me,” Isabelle smiled. “I will be convinced you are having a rel
apse! I’ve told you before, no apologies, the argument with Frank has been bubbling for years, no-matter what I did, it was never good enough for my brother.”

  “I think marrying the Duke of Rutland would have been,” Tom said gently, but with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “Mary!” Isabelle said exasperated.

  “She may have mentioned something, but in her defence she was trying to show me that not all women are mercenary,” he explained in support of Mary. “Were you not tempted, even a little?”

  “No, I’ve never sought a title and I have enough money for my needs, so don’t need to marry for money either. The only thing that would have persuaded me would have been if I loved him, but I didn’t and I knew I never would. I liked him and was upset to have caused him pain, it was not intentional. Frank did argue for days though,” Isabelle smiled at yet another memory of her brother arguing with her.

  “He’s obviously not as fast at learning from his mistakes as I am. I realised very quickly that I was not going to win with Sophie, so gave in with reasonable good grace, although I did have you advising me at the time, which did help.”

  Isabelle smiled, “it’s always easier to take advice from a stranger than a family member I feel and you were coming to the same conclusions as to what was best for Sophie yourself. You just needed me to confirm what you were thinking.”

  “It was easier having you there though, and I don’t think I would have handled it quite so well if you had not been able to control my temper. I did not feel that a solution was possible when I first followed them into the inn and was faced with Sophie’s determination about not returning home.”

  “It’s all in the past now and Sophie is happy, which means you are happy. Tell me what plans has she for a London season for Miss Arnold?”

  Tom noticed that every time he tried to have a serious conversation with Isabelle she would deflect the conversation away from herself. She would divert him to any subject apart from the one he wanted to talk about, which was how he could persuade her to marry him. While he had been bedridden he had had a lot of time to think about his situation and his actions and those of his parents. He had realised that he wanted to be with Isabelle. That had come as no surprise to him and it had explained his foolish actions when he had been drunk. Some of his concerns remained, he still did not expect the marriage to work, but he had to find out a way of getting through his fears. One thing he had realised was that he could not bear to see Isabelle married to someone else, even if he was forced to experience what his father had gone through. If Isabelle took lovers he would try to accept it. He had to marry her. He had made a huge mistake, in fact a number of mistakes with regards to Isabelle, but he knew that he had to have her agreement to marry him before he left for Kent.