The Complicated Earl (26 page)

Isabelle felt a lump in the pit of her stomach
as she waved goodbye to Tom. She knew it would not be long before she saw him again, but it almost felt like a physical pain to know how far they would be apart. At least he was joining them a few days before James and Mary, so she would see him in just over a week. She hoped she would be able to cope that long without him.

Th
e two day journey to Bath was uneventful. Sophie had much to tell Isabelle and so the time passed quickly enough. Isabelle was pleased to see how Sophie had changed in the weeks since they had last met. Marriage seemed to suit her and she had matured in the way Isabelle had hoped she would when she had planned to marry James. She was still the same Sophie in some ways though, making grand plans for how she was going to help Charlotte when she returned to London.

They were ready for
firm ground by the time they reached Great Pulteney Street. Isabelle felt strange returning, so much had happened since she had been here last, but it still felt that she was returning home. This visit would be bittersweet, they had decided that there was no reason to keep the house, Tom had offered, but Isabelle had acknowledged that in reality they would probably not return to Bath often enough to justify keeping a house. They could rent whenever they did venture here.

As Sophie settled into her room Isabelle wondered around the house, she wanted to imprint each room in her memory. T
his home had been her sanctuary. When she had moved to Bath, although she had been determined that she would have her independence she had not been really sure that it would work out that way. The house had seemed to welcome her from the moment she stepped through the door into the large hallway. As she walked around each room thinking about her future, she became more convinced that her decision had been the right one and had felt settled for the first time since her debut.

A notice had already been sent to the Times to announce her engagement, so she knew her friends would already know
her situation. She smiled wryly to herself, she doubted that she would have her usual beaus around her now that she was unavailable.

Isabelle, Sophie and Sidney all ventured to the Pump Rooms the morning after their return. Sidney and Sophie had dined with
Mrs Arnold the previous evening, but Isabelle had declined claiming to have a mild headache because of the journey. Her real reason was to spend as much time at home as she could. Once word spread that she had returned the usual round of visits would take over and intrude on what time she could spend in quiet reflection.

As they entered the Pump Room they were accosted by Mrs Arnold, who
had obviously been on the lookout for them. “Good morning, good morning!” She greeted them, hugging Sophie close. “How fine it is to see you all returned to Bath and looking so well. Miss Crawford, when Sophie wrote of your news I must say we were all delighted. Who would have thought that finally the Earl would settle down? Perhaps he saw how happy Sophie and Sidney were and took a leaf out of their book. Aren’t they happy? Isn’t it a wonderful thing that my boy has done in securing Sophie? I have two daughters of my own Miss Crawford, but I assure you that Sophie is as precious as either of them, yes, yes, just as precious.”

Isabelle had listened to the outpouring with a serene smile on her
lips. She was very glad Tom was not here to listen to this, quite a bit of what Mrs Arnold said would have caused some caustic comments from Tom of that she was sure. “As Sophie’s soon to be sister I am happy that she has fitted in so well with your family,” she replied.

Mrs
Arnold had settled well into Bath life since Isabelle’s departure. She now had a wide circle of acquaintances whom she met each morning in the Pump Rooms. Isabelle was sure that most of her conversation was around Sophie and Sidney and what plans they had, luckily Sophie’s wealth would ensure that Mrs Arnold’s ways would be tolerated in society more than they would have before the connection.

Isabelle stood to the side of the group, looking for any of her acquaintances and smiled when she saw
Mr Beckett approaching her.

“Miss Crawford, what a delight to see you returned to Bath, it has not been the same without you I assure you,” he smiled a warm smile and bowed in greeting.

Isabelle laughed with pleasure, “Mr Beckett, it is good to see you too, especially as you flatter me sir. I am sure you can cope handsomely without me being in residence.”

“From the announcement I have read it is a state it seems I will be forced to endure again soon. Would you like to take a turn around the room?”

Isabelle smiled and took his arm gratefully. She had only been in Mrs Arnold’s company for ten minutes and already she was grateful for an escape. “Yes, thank you.”

“So tell me all your news,”
Mr Beckett spoke again as they moved out of Mrs Arnold’s hearing. “How did the Earl persuade you to marry him and more importantly how are you going to be able to cope with Mrs Arnold as a distant relative?”

Isabelle giggled. “I intend avoiding her at all costs, Sophie may have willingly made the connection with the family
, but I cannot. The Miss Arnolds seem to be nice girls and although there is no malice in Mrs Arnold, she is the one person that can give me a headache! It is very wrong of me to criticise her though, you always did bring out the worst in me. I must remember to keep you apart from the Earl or he may change his mind before the wedding!”

“If he has any sense he won’t do that,” came the affable reply. “I still want to know how he persuaded you to marry
him, you cannot avoid answering my questions you know. I shall accept no false modesty from you my dear.”

Isabelle was tempted to reply that he had almost ruined her and it was the lesser of two evils, but although she would have risked
a comment like that to Tom, even with Mr Beckett’s easy nature he would be shocked at such talk. “I realised that the thought of not seeing him every day was something that I could not bear,” she finally said, quietly serious.

Mr
Beckett paused and looked at her, his eyes narrowing a little. “A love match for you? I am truly glad Miss Crawford and wish you every happiness.”

Isabelle felt her throat tightening at his words and smile
d, replying with a quiet “Thank you.”

They walked around the room
stopping to talk to everyone they knew. Each person was keen to ask Isabelle about the wedding and her plans for the future. Their progress was slow but pleasant. As they moved on from a group Mr Beckett reached and squeezed Isabelle’s hand that was still resting on his arm. “I do not want to spoil the congenial mood of this morning, but I feel as your friend I must.”

“What is it?” Isabelle was genuinely puzzled as to what he wanted to say, she could think of nothing
that could be amiss.

“One of our friends may no longer be as pleasant as he was used
to be,” Mr Beckett said with a small smile. “He has not been as pleased with your engagement as the rest of us have.”

“Who?”
Isabelle was puzzled, she had flirted with men, but had always been clear that she was not going to accept their proposals.

“
Mr Ollerton,” Mr Beckett said simply.

Isabelle groaned. “I told him at his ball that I would never change my m
ind. Surely he understood that I was never going to marry him whether or not I married the Earl?”

“There are things I don’t
think you are aware of that made Ollerton more determined than most to secure your hand. I must say I have only discovered it after we read the announcement in the Times. It seems that he is in dire need of cash, a large amount of cash. He has been fooling all his acquaintances for a substantial amount of time that he had a comfortable income, but in reality unless he makes a good match with someone of fortune soon, he is in danger of losing everything,” Mr Beckett said, being unusually sober.

“Oh dear, he must be frantic, but why oh why do I always attract those who want my fortune?” Isabelle sighed, genuinely sorry for
Mr Ollerton, but annoyed that yet again the loss of her fortune would be felt far more than the loss of herself.

“Be reassured that he has always wanted to marry you, even when his finances were not in such a sorry state. From what I can gather some bad investments when he was away last and deep gambling to try and recover
his money led him to renew his addresses to you at his ball and from what you have said previously in a more suggestive manner than was appropriate. Your refusal and then sudden removal from the area, which you have yet to tell me what happened, made his position more desperate. He could not change your mind if you were not here.”

Isabelle ignored the comment about her explaining her
sudden absence from Bath for the moment at least. “It seems I had a lucky escape,” she said ruefully, “I cannot express being sorry at having missed being hounded for my money.”

“I can understand your feelings. He went to Bristol soon after you left, to gamble further it appears, but had returned a day or two before the Times announced your enga
gement. I was with him and saw the man fall into despair and anger.”

Isabelle stiffened s
lightly, “I should feel remorse if he was despairing at losing my affection, but I have little concern at him being angry about losing my fortune. I have always been clear with him from the very start. Why did he not realise I was telling the truth when I told him I did not want to marry him?”

“A desperate man
will cling to any ray of hope. Your friendliness gave him hope, but I think you should be prepared for a different reception when you next see him. You will no doubt come across each other at some point, Bath society is too small to avoid him.”

Isabelle nodded in agreement. It was a vain hope, but she hoped that she would not
see Mr Ollerton until Tom had arrived in Bath. She did not think Mr Ollerton would be foolish enough to be anything but politeness with Tom as her protector. For the first time she felt a little vulnerable, Sophie and Sidney seemed too young to be included in her concerns. She was beginning to see the advantage of having a husband’s protection.

Chapter
18

             
Isabelle did not come into contact with Mr Ollerton for the first four days of returning to Bath and her worry eased as other activities took precedence. She was busy shopping and going through her household, deciding with her housekeeper what would be packed and transported to Kent, or what could be given away. Sophie accompanied her on every shopping expedition, but her work with the housekeeper was carried out alone. Sophie and Sidney usually used this time to visit Mrs Arnold. With the usual rounds of morning visits, Isabelle had little time to attend to much else.

             
She had left her horses in Hampshire, to be sent down to Kent on James and Mary’s return home. Instead of riding out each morning, she made sure she walked, usually through Sydney Gardens. Sophie and Sidney were willing escorts, both were keen to be outdoors. As the week progressed Isabelle felt more relieved to be outside, her house was losing a little of the homely feel it had as things were packed away and she was beginning to relish the escape each morning.

             
On her fifth day as they walked through Sydney Gardens they were approached by Mr Ollerton. Isabelle had recognised the oncoming figure and had braced herself to be ignored, so was pleasantly surprised when he stopped and bowed at the group.

             
“Miss Crawford, Mr Arnold, Mrs Arnold,” he bowed. “I had heard you had returned to Bath. It is a pleasure to see you again. Is your visit to be a long one?”

             
“Just a couple of weeks longer,” Isabelle said, watching for any sign of animosity, she was ready to move away if needed.

             
“Are you attending the Assembly rooms tonight?” he asked smiling at the group. They all assured him of their attendance. “As this will be one of the last times we may meet, could I claim the first two with you Miss Crawford?”

             
Isabelle did not really want to spend such a long time with Mr Ollerton if what Mr Beckett had said was true, but so far he had been his usual self, so could think of no reason to refuse. “It would be a pleasure to dance with you, although I am sure we will see each other in the future. I am moving to another County, not another Country.”

             
“Ah things change after one agrees to be married as I am sure you will find out,” Mr Ollerton said. “I offer my congratulations on your engagement by the way. It came as a surprise to your Bath friends.”

             
Isabelle thanked him for his congratulations, but soon moved away. She had seen the smile when he had spoken and it had made her feel uncomfortable, she had never seen a less sincere expression. The Assembly Room ball suddenly became less appealing.

*

              As soon as Isabelle entered the room she was approached by Mr Ollerton. He seemed to be determined to go out of his way to be pleasant with her. It was not long before they joined the first set and the dancing began. Isabelle waited for Mr Ollerton to lead the conversation, she thought it might be easier than her starting something that he could take offence at. She did not have to wait long before the subject of her upcoming marriage was raised.

             
“So the Earl proved to be more persuasive than the rest of us,” he said as they waited at the bottom of the set.

             
Isabelle smiled slightly, not really sure of how to respond.

             
“May I ask what it was that finally persuaded you to marry? I seem to recall many conversations when you dismissed the marital state as something that you did not want to ever enter into.”

             
Isabelle could not answer the first part of the question honestly, so tried for a more broad answer. “I do not know what made me change my mind, I suppose I just met the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It is as simple as that.”

             
“I hope you will be as receptive as the old Earl’s wife was. She was a delight to society,” Mr Ollerton smiled with what could only be described of as a leer.

             
Isabelle frowned, “I am sorry I do not understand,” she replied coolly. She might not understand what he was referring to but it was not complimentary.

             
“Ah so he hasn’t told you about his mother has he? She was quite a one, perhaps he is still shocked by her liberal ways; he certainly looked shocked when I was with her. Perhaps he is marrying you as revenge on me.”

             
They were fortunately parted by the set, much to Isabelle’s relief. She needed time to try and make sense of the cryptic comments that had been made. He offered no further comment with regards to Tom’s parent. As her dances came to an end she was relieved to be released from his company, but knew she would not be able to settle fully until Tom had returned to Bath and hopefully offer some explanation.             

             
The three days after Isabelle’s encounter with Mr Ollerton seemed to take forever to pass. She was impatient to see Tom in the hope he would explain the story behind what had been said. She also needed to be reassured that he was not marrying her in revenge, although she acknowledged that it was her own uncertainty about his feelings that were causing her to give such an outrageous comment any consideration.

             
It was with real joy that she welcomed Tom into her home when he arrived mid-morning. He had come straight to Great Pulteney Street, sending his carriage onwards to Laura Place. Isabelle had waited in for him, Sophie and Sidney talking a walk to Weston.

             
“Isabelle!” Tom greeted, crossing the morning room that Isabelle had been occupying during the morning visits.

             
Isabelle stood to greet him and was grateful that the butler had closed the door behind him when she was pulled into her betrothed’s arms and kissed without hesitation. “Tom!” she laughed, pulling away slightly from his embrace. “Sophie could return at any moment!”

             
“It is a sight she will need to become accustomed to if she is to visit us,” came the flippant reply. “I shall not restrain myself in my own home, or yours come to that.” He smiled before bending to kiss her again. “Have you missed me?” He mumbled into her lips.

             
Isabelle decided that actions spoke louder than words and responded to his kisses with a passion that could match his own. As soon as he had entered, her whole body had tingled in anticipation of being touched by him and although she had chided him, she was grateful that he had given her such a greeting. She was not sure she could have held back from being inappropriate if he had not.

             
They eventually parted, both breathless and slightly flushed. “Tell me of your progress here. Is everything going along as you would wish it?” Tom asked, moving to sit on a sofa and pulling Isabelle down to sit next to him, far closer than they should have been, but Isabelle did not object. He kept hold of her hand, seeming to want to maintain contact for as long as possible.

             
“Yes, Sophie has been a great help with regards to wedding plans. There is very little left to do. I’ve started the packing as you will see, I hope you have no objections to the amount I shall be bringing with me, and I hope your home can cope with my belongings.”

             
“Our home Isabelle,” Tom said with a squeeze of her hand. “If we need more room we will build another wing, bring all that you wish. I hope it has not been all work for you, I would expect you to have been dragged to all Bath’s entertainments. I know with Sophie in your company you would have little option to do otherwise.”

             
Isabelle smiled, “It has not been all work, but I have been glad of some time here while Sophie has been out with the Miss Arnolds. I have managed to see my friends as much as I wish.”

             
“Good. I would not wish to be accused of keeping you from everyone.”

             
Isabelle knew it was the ideal time to raise what Mr Ollerton had hinted at, “Tom, I’ve been told some pieces of probably unfounded gossip but I need to speak to you about them.”

             
Tom leaned away from Isabelle slightly and looked at her slight frown. “What is troubling you?”

             
“It’s not troubling me, I just feel that I need to know the truth to enable me to stop any further comments being made,” Isabelle explained, knowing she probably sounded as cryptic as Mr Ollerton had.

             
“The truth about what?” Tom had become wary.

             
“The truth about your mother and what connection Mr Ollerton had with her,” Isabelle said simply watching closely.

             
Tom stiffened and moved, pulling away at Isabelle’s words. “I do not wish to talk about it,” came the closed response.

             
Isabelle inwardly fought the bubble of anger that threatened to rise to the surface. “As your future wife I would not think it healthy to keep secrets from each other, particularly when it means I am left open to snide comments from a man who believes I am being married as an act of revenge!” Her words were sharp and succeeded in grabbing Tom’s attention.

             
Tom jumped up from the sofa and started to pace the room. “An act of revenge? The man must be mad!” He exploded.

             
“I thought so, but unless I hear the truth from you I am inclined to give his words more credit than they probably deserve.”

             
“Don’t be ridiculous! You cannot consider his words with any seriousness!” Tom snapped.

             
“I don’t as you know full well, but I do consider it serious when my future husband is reluctant to confide in me,” Isabelle replied angrily.

             
“It’s not as straightforward as just confiding in you,” Tom said turning to Isabelle.

             
Isabelle could see there was some struggle going on inside him and reached out to him. “Trust me,” she said quietly.

             
“I promised myself I would never trust any woman after what my mother did to my family,” came the quiet response. Isabelle remained silent waiting for him to decide if he could continue. He seemed to struggle with his inner battle, but then returned to the sofa and sat down, once more taking Isabelle’s hands. “You were lucky that your parents had a happy marriage, mine did not and home was not a home. I love the place, the history, and what it means to the generations of my family, but it is not filled with happy memories of childhood for me. The earliest memories I have are of my parents arguing. There was a large age difference between my mother and father which probably did not help, but they were different personalities. He was steady and serious, she an extrovert. They should never have married.”

             
Isabelle squeezed the hand that was clinging to hers, she had no idea how to comfort him; his experience was so different from her own. He had gained a pained expression as he had talked and the usual confident, slightly aloof man seemed a million miles away. She waited until he roused himself and continued to speak.

“I was at school most of the time so did not see much of what went on at home. Sophie had been the result of an attempt at
a reconciliation, although I would never admit it to Sophie. It failed to bring them together and in reality after she was born their marriage was a farce. What I cannot forgive in it all was my mother’s behaviour and the way my father allowed her to make a complete fool of him.”

             
“What did she do?”

             
“She encouraged other men, she had affairs. Many times the men would visit her while my father sat downstairs. I found out what she did when I walked in on her one day. It was a rude awakening for me in all respects.”

             
Tom hung his head as if weary, while Isabelle’s mind raced. She could hardly believe that someone would behave in such a manner, especially in front of their child and husband. “What happened?”

             
“I was unceremoniously told to leave the room and when I sought help from my father to stop the nightmare, I found him drunk and he explained to me that I should get used to the idea of my wife behaving in exactly the same manner when I married.”

             
“Oh my goodness!” Isabelle exclaimed, but her tone was quiet, she could see there was more to be told.

             
“The irony is that when I met Ollerton again I did not even recognise him. My whole focus that day had been on my mother, I only gave her lover the slightest of glances.”

             
“Mr Ollerton?” Isabelle asked with dawning horror.

             
“Oh yes, I did not remember when we met at the Theatre, although I did have a feeling that he was familiar. It was after you had left his ball that he chose to reintroduce himself properly so to speak,” Tom finished bitterly.