The Complicated Earl (24 page)

“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.

“I
t 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, “Y
ou 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 th
rust 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, “Y
es 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 h
as 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 conv
ersation. 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 d
octor, 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.

T
om 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.”

T
om 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.

“H
e 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 o
ver 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 relapse! 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 Ru
tland 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 f
amily 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?”

T
om 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.

Each day Isabelle allowed the walk to venture further, she could see the strength and det
ermination returning and knew she was going to lose him soon. Every morning when she opened her eyes, she thanked God for giving her another day with him and she would beg for it not to end quite yet, but she knew it could not go on forever. Sometime soon she would have to face her life without him and this time it would be final, there would no longer be a reason for them ever to meet.

Tom
wanted to get on a horse, but he knew it was impossible. He was unable to drive a carriage. Even though usually stubborn, he realised that by having only one arm working he could not control a pair of horses. He was moaning about this one day when Isabelle offered to drive him around the grounds in a phaeton. He was sure of her ability after seeing her ride in Bath, she was a real horsewoman and he wanted to go further than they could walk, so he agreed, but not without teasing Isabelle about overturning them both first.

They set off, promising Mary they would not leave the grounds. As Isabelle guided the horses along the lanes, they did not speak for
at first, Tom was enjoying the nearest thing to a horse ride too much to want to spoil it with talking. Isabelle enjoyed driving the pair, she had not driven a carriage through the woodland for years, and she usually opted for the extra freedom that riding on Beauty allowed. She kept to the main routes, there were enough tracks through the parkland to allow Tom to see more of the grounds than he had previously and by twisting and turning through the woodland it gave the feeling as if they were travelling further than they actually did.

Eventually Isabelle stopped the hors
es. “There is a small river through these trees, if you would like a short walk,” she indicated through the woodland. “It’s where James fishes and is an attractive prospect, the woodland ends just before the edge of the water.”

“Ye
s, I’d like to see it,” Tom said climbing down carefully. The limited use of one arm made climbing in and out of the phaeton a more challenging task than normal. “Are you joining me?” Isabelle nodded her assent and climbed down. She secured the horses to a tree and followed him down through the wooded area.

The
river was man-made at some point in the history of the land and had been tended to by the groundsmen. It was supplied by accessing a larger tributary on the outskirts of the estate. James loved his sport and came down to the lake whenever he was at home to fish and escape from the numerous people who always seemed to need to speak to him. Isabelle had accompanied her brother when she was younger, the river seeming magical as it babbled over the uneven riverbed. It had always been a place that offered peace.

They walked slow
ly along the edge of the river, neither feeling right to rush in such a peaceful spot. When they had walked a length and returned, Tom took off his greatcoat and covered a fallen tree stump. He offered Isabelle a seat and she accepted with a smile.

“Jam
es has a good home and land. I’m surprised he spends so little time here,” Tom said.

“I think it is his intention to settle here more now he has Mary. London holds more promises of pleasures for a single man whereas home offers more once he is married,” Isabelle replied.

“True.”

“This has always been a happy place for
us, I’m not surprised he did not want to spend too much time here while he was single.”

“I would think the opposite would be more relevant,”
Tom replied knowing how the unhappy memories kept him away from his home.

“No, here is where he was always reminded of what a wonderful marriage our parents had, what happiness can achieve. I understand
him not wanting to be reminded of that until he is sure he can create his own happy memories here.”

“He seems happy with Mary.”

“Yes he is. She has loved him for a long time, they are very lucky to have realised that their affection was worth developing and that it was strong enough on both sides that they needed to be together.”

“Isabelle
, do you believe me when I say that I don’t know how you can ever offer it, but it is my biggest wish to receive your forgiveness?” Tom blurted out.

“I thought we’d agreed not to talk about this?” Isabelle
replied, immediately uncomfortable and shifting slightly, wanting to stand, but being too polite to do so.

“You agreed
to that course of action I seem to remember and have done an excellent job of deflecting me every time I have tried to have a serious conversation with you. I won’t be here for much longer, can we please speak about this before I go? I do not want to leave without this being resolved between us.”