The Complicated Earl (2 page)

I look forward to seeing
you and hopefully will soon have the pleasure of introducing you to a new sister.

Yours affectionately,

James

Isabelle had undergone a number of emotions while reading the letter,
including laughter. She could not help but be amused at her brother, finally succumbing to the charms of someone. The fact that it was not a standard romance was also no surprise. James never did anything straightforward, which did add to his appeal. She was curious to meet the girl that had finally touched his heart; she must be special and was intrigued by the ogre of the older brother. Having two such brothers as Isabelle had, she wondered at someone who was considered to be an abrupt and abrasive brother.

She tried to remember if the name
Fulwood meant anything to her as she knew some of James’s friends. The name did not seem familiar, but she was not surprised, from the description that James had given. Tom Fulwood sounded like an acquaintance rather than friend. Her musings were brought to an end when Mary joined her in the drawing room and Isabelle gave her cousin an update of the unexpected visit.

“It would b
e wonderful to see James happy. He is a special person,” Mary said quietly, “did he say anything of the young lady?”

“Only what one
would expect of someone in love, I am looking forward to making her acquaintance and finding out more myself. He did not say anything about her family, apart from mentioning the older brother,” Isabelle answered.

“Tom Fulwood
, I do know that name,” Mary pondered. Being closer to James in age it was more likely that Mary knew the gentleman, having spent much of her time with James over the years. “I remember! If it is the person I am thinking of, she comes from a very good family, Tom Fulwood, if it is the same, is the Earl of Standish. A very noble family indeed.”

“Well at least she can’t be accused of being a fortune hunter,” Isabelle said reassured.

“True, but her brother has no need to criticise the behaviour of James, he is well known as a rake. No respectable mother would allow her daughter anywhere near the Earl of Standish,” Mary said shaking her head, defending her cousin.

Isabelle laughed, “W
ell perhaps that is the problem. He knows now what it is like when a rake approaches a sister you care about. He will be experiencing all the alarm that he will have inflicted on other families.”

“Isabelle, you should not refer to your brother as a rake! He is high spirited
that is all.”

“At thirty-two he is too old to be high spi
rited. We both know what he is. Let’s hope he can prove himself of his love and good character to gain the approval of her brother or he may come to regret his former lifestyle.”

Chapter 2

James had only given Isabelle two days’ notice of his visit, so hastily rearranged instructions were given to her Housekeeper to accommodate the extra addition to the household. She would also expect that James would want to be entertained while he visited, so advised that there could be more gatherings held over the coming weeks, to enable the housekeeper to make preparations with the cook. Isabelle did entertain at home regularly, but she took pride in her household and wanted to be prepared to entertain well.

The visitor
arrived without mishap and entered the Drawing Room late in the morning. “Hello Izzy, Mary, I see the fine weather does not extend to Bath!” James crossed the room shaking out his cuffs that had caught a few drops of rain from underneath his driving coat. He ran his hands over his dark hair, checking that it was still set in the latest fashion that his valet had worked so hard to achieve. He was an attractive man, tall and slender, with a full mouth and dark eyes like his sister. A family resemblance could be seen, although James’s features resembled his father, whereas Isabelle had more of her mother’s striking beauty.

“Now don’t you start by
complaining about my home,” Isabelle teased. “This is the first rain we have had in days and it is very welcome. It gives us relief from the constant rounds of visiting. No self-respecting lady would venture out on a day like this to arrive at her friends’ homes with muddied hems. How are you James?”

“I’m well now I’ve seen
that Sophie has been safely installed in the White Hart. I told Standish he should put off the journey in such weather, but he ridiculed my concerns. He’s supposed to care about his sister, not drag her half way across the country when the weather is appalling!”

Isabelle
raised her eyebrows slightly. James must be in love if a morning of rain put him in such worry about travelling. “Yes, you failed to mention that the Tom Fulwood you spoke of was the Earl of Standish! I’m sure the Earl owns a carriage that is more than adequate to convey Lady Sophie to Bath.” She gently teased the over protective characteristic that she had previously not seen in her brother.

“Well they are settled
into the warm now at least,” James mumbled a little contrite at his obvious over-reaction.

“
Are they to stay at the White Hart?” Mary interjected before Isabelle had time to respond therefore preventing her from any further opportunity of teasing her brother.

“
Yes, although they hope to take lodgings in a day or two. I had told Standish that Isabelle was perfectly capable of sorting lodgings out for them before they arrived, but he insisted on arranging things himself.”

Isabelle was no longer surprised at Jam
es’s description of Lady Sophie’s brother, if she had her brother fussing around as James seemed to be doing around both Lady Sophie and the Earl, she would have great difficulty in keeping her temper. She might need to speak to James about his over-fastidiousness, but she remained silent for the moment. Perhaps it was the strain of the journey in such bad weather that was causing his mood, although she had never known him to be so affected previously.

Mary suggested that James have some refreshments an
d she busied herself providing for her cousin’s comfort, pouring him tea, while encouraging him to sit in front of the fire. She sympathised with him about the damp air and assured him that he would begin to enjoy Bath more when the weather improved. Her calm, unaffected manner was appreciated by James and he was soon his usual cheerful self after being indulged by Mary for a while.

He
informed the ladies that they had all been invited to join Sophie and the Earl of Standish at the White Hart for an evening meal. “Actually it was more like a summons. I did not have the option of refusal,” he said with a rueful smile.

Isabelle felt slight stirrings of resentment towards the Earl’s presumption that she would drop any plans she may
already have had, but she battled against her feelings for her brother’s sake. “Do not trouble yourself, Mary and I are free tonight, we did not accept any other invitations on the expectation that we would be meeting Lady Sophie.” This was true, but Isabelle still felt annoyed at the presumption that the Earl had made, it would have been polite to arrange something for the following day. She consoled herself with the thought that she would very shortly be meeting her future sister and able to satisfy the curiosity that had been bubbling since the arrival of James’s letter.

*

Both Isabelle and Mary took extra care in preparing for the evening, each wanting to make the best impression for James’s sake on both Lady Sophie and the Earl of Standish. Isabelle chose a deep blue silk dress, with gold trim. She wore white gloves and a white silk cloak, with lining that matched the blue of the dress. Her dark hair she had swept up, allowing a few of its natural curls to fall, framing her face. The only colour she added to her face was to her lips, which enhanced their fullness. She was not one to wear other potions and creams as some ladies did. She hoped they would present the picture of respectability for James.

As she
descended the stairs James was waiting at the bottom with Mary, who had chosen to wear a gold gown for the evening. He moved to the bottom of the stairs, raising his hand to help Isabelle down the last few steps. “As beautiful as ever Izzy,” he smiled fondly at his sister.

“Thank
you, you are an excellent brother, pandering to my vanity,” Isabelle smiled without truly believing James’s words were anything other than family affection. “Look at us, the height of respectability and fashion! What more could the Earl of Standish wish for in a match for his sister? He will take one look at the three of us and agree to the marriage immediately.”

“Let’s hope this is all that it takes, although
I doubt Standish would make it so easy,” James mumbled.

“Come James, you are not usually so melancholy,” Isabelle chided. “You will make this visit very long indeed if you do not return to your usu
al self. How can Lady Sophie see you to your full advantage if you are so forlorn all the time?”

James laughed, “I’m sorry, I’ve never felt so helpless before. I promise to improve. Now come on ladies, let me accompany you into the lion
’s den!” He offered his arms to his sister and cousin and the left the house to step into the carriage.

At the White H
art the party were led into one of the private parlours that the Earl had hired. A table was set out in the middle of the room, with additional seating to the right of the table, arranged around a welcoming fire.  The Earl and his sister were seated near the fire but rose as the visitors entered. Isabelle’s eyes were drawn to Lady Sophie. She immediately could see why James had lost his heart. Sophie was slim, with milky white skin, not as tall as Isabelle, with more petite features. Her eyes were baby blue and her delicate features were framed by soft golden curls. This was a girl that could never be described as handsome, she was stunningly beautiful. Isabelle smiled warmly as James took her hand to introduce her.

“Lady Sophie
, Standish, may I present my sister Miss Isabelle Crawford and my cousin Miss Mary Leicester.” Isabelle curtsied and received a curtsey and bow in return. 

“Welcome Miss Crawford, Miss Leicester. I have been looking forward to meeting you
so much. James speaks so very highly of you both,” Lady Sophie smiled.

“And we have looked forward to meeting you,” Isabelle smiled in return. “I hope the
journey down was not too tiring?”

“Oh no, Tom provides ever
y comfort when he is travelling. He does not like to be inconvenienced in any way,” Lady Sophie replied, innocently smiling at her brother.

Isabelle took the opportunity
at Lady Sophie’s words to look at the Earl. He was as different to his sister as he could be, except for the eyes. His hair was jet black and his skin dark, almost swarthy, but he had the same baby blue eyes as Lady Sophie. However there was a difference in their expression; his eyes looked at the party with coldness and boredom, whereas his sister’s were filled with warmth. Isabelle could see plainly that he was regarding the party with a bored cynicism that he did not try to hide. When he turned to her she met his gaze with a look of challenge; she was not going to be intimidated by his high-handed attitude. She had the pleasure of seeing something flicker in his eyes, but then he turned away, the bored look returning as he greeted her brother.

Tom
had been surprised by Isabelle’s expression. He was accustomed to being looked at either with wariness because of his reputation, or with anticipation as a potential marriage candidate, the anticipation only easing when his attitude alienated him from new acquaintances. In Isabelle though he had seen neither, in fact he had seen a look which had seemed to suggest he would need to work hard before she showed any sign of being impressed.

Before he had arrived in Bath
when James had told him about his sister, he had put her down as an eccentric. When she had walked into the room he was surprised how beautiful she was which had made him think she was more than just an eccentric to have hidden herself away. While the introductions had been made he had wondered if perhaps madness ran in the family and had resolved to find out more before Sophie aligned herself to James. The look from Isabelle had given him pause for thought though. It was the expression of an intelligent woman. Although his interest had been aroused, it was soon conquered by his over-riding feeling of boredom and he had turned away.

“Crawford,” Tom
bowed slightly in greeting.

“Standish,
” James replied in clipped terms.

“Oh you two
stop being silly,” Lady Sophie intervened impatiently. “Anyone would think you were about to start fighting the way you circle one another every time you meet. I am sure Miss Crawford and Miss Leicester did not accept our invitation expecting anything but an entertaining night, particularly not a common brawl. Please let us be seated, I hope you are all ready to eat, we ordered the food to arrive promptly at seven.”

Isabelle ha
d to admire the way Lady Sophie had intervened in the stand-off between the two men. Even though she appeared doll-like, she was obviously a more confident person than her image suggested. Isabelle had the sinking feeling that the Earl was not going to be easily convinced to allow the match between James and his sister. If his opinion of James was shown by the barely concealed hostility in his greeting, she wondered why he would bring his sister to Bath to spend time with James if he had no intention of agreeing to a marriage. Hopefully the situation would become clearer as the evening progressed.

The party sat around the circular table
. James sat down next to Lady Sophie, with Mary on his other side. Isabelle was between Lady Sophie and the Earl and the circle was completed with Mary between the Earl and James. The Earl had certainly ordered an excellent spread; he was obviously used to sitting down to the best fare. At least Bath could provide this Isabelle thought with pleasure; most produce was sourced locally and was of high quality, making eating a real pleasure. The White Hart was especially known for its good fare.

The conv
ersation was stilted. Mary in her own quiet way did her best to reach through the armour that the Earl had around him, while James and Lady Sophie were absorbed in themselves to the exclusion of everyone else. Isabelle was content not to try to engage the Earl in conversation; she was more interested in watching her brother and his prospective bride. They did seem to be happy with each other; Isabelle could see clearly that James was besotted with Lady Sophie, but Isabelle was slightly concerned at the young age of Lady Sophie. She knew that the age difference was not uncommon, but Lady Sophie seemed even younger than her years, if she had not already been told her age, she would have guessed that she was barely out of the schoolroom. The concerns were reinforced by the snippets of conversation that she listened to and she began to question whether the match would be long-lasting. She would hate for James to finally fall in love to then find out his attachment waned as the age difference became an issue.

Eventually she was disturbed from her thoughts by the Earl’s voice. “So, Miss Crawford, what do you find to occupy yourself with in Bath?”
It was asked with a sneering drawl, which made Isabelle bristle.

“Oh I think you’ll find that there is plenty to keep one occupied
for those willing to enter into the hustle and bustle even a small society can create,” Isabelle smiled coolly back.

“Do you take the waters often?”

“No, never, I’m never ill.”

Tom
raised his eyebrows, “And yet you have settled in Bath. Singular.”

“Not at all,
” Isabelle said coolly, keeping control even though his tone annoyed her. “I wish to avoid the silliness of London and Bath offers the perfect alternative, entertainment without the shallowness of much of London society.”

“I thought all young la
dies revelled in London society,” Tom replied condescendingly.

Isabelle laughed
, genuinely amused.“If I were still a young lady perhaps I would have agreed with your comment and been more reluctant to leave London, but once past one’s prime it is best to accept the realities of the world and arrange one’s life to suit one’s own needs. Rather that than live unhappily in a society one has ceased to enjoy.”