The Complicated Earl

by Audrey Harrison

  Tom flashed a look that was forbidding, but he paused before speaking. Isabelle thought he was not going to respond and was regretting speaking when he broke the silence. “Many men knew my mother.”

  The words were said with disgust and Isabelle chose her next words carefully. “Is that why you set yourself such high standards when responsibility for Sophie transferred to you on the death of your parents?”

  Tom sighed. He knew he should keep silent, but he wanted Isabelle to understand at least some of his struggle. It felt comforting to know she was asking out of concern for him. This was a new and not unwelcome turn of events.

  “I was determined she would not be the type of woman that my mother was.”

  “I know very little about your family, but even if they had lived, we grow up despite our parents. We all make choices with our lives. Sophie is her own person, she is not an exact copy of your mother,” Isabelle tried to reassure him.

  “She has managed to do something that I would have expected a woman like my mother to do, selfishly disregarding everything and everyone else for her own satisfaction.”

  Isabelle was surprised at the bitterness with which the words were uttered and was certain that the censure directed at Sophie was more because of her mother’s mistakes than her own. Having known Sophie’s nature she had some sympathy with her, even though her actions had the result of hurting James.

  “Sophie has acted because of love, and love can be selfish. If she had thought there was another way I am sure she would have taken it, but she is young and naive.”

  “She should have been able to come to me.”

  “Would you have listened? Perhaps that is your only fault, but one that many parents and families are guilty of. From my own experience I have been lucky in having James as an ally. My other brother Frank would never listen to what I wanted, but he is not a bad person. It is harder to listen to someone else’s opinion when it disagrees with your own.”

  “James is a good man. I am sorry he has had to be hurt in all this,” Tom said feeling annoyed for the way he had encouraged James over the last week. He should have been able to see some sign from Sophie that would have given an indication of what she was considering.

  “James will survive,” Isabelle said. “He is shocked and hurt now, but I think it is for the best in the long term.” She smiled when Tom frowned in question at her. “Oh, don’t worry I think Sophie is a lovely girl and if they had married I would have welcomed her into the family most sincerely, but I had my reservations for their long lasting happiness.”

  “In what way? James seemed to want nothing more than to protect her.”

  “He did, but in some ways he was more like a father figure, not her equal. As you said Sophie is very young in nature and I think she would have become tired of James. He would have become more possessive and unhappy as Sophie grew and spread her wings. She needs a husband who can grow with her, or at least understand that she is still growing and learning.”

  “She would have turned out exactly as my mother did.” He let out a long breath. “Good God, I nearly helped to create what I most wanted to avoid. Do you think Arnold is the one for her?” He asked. He had been listening intently to Isabelle’s every word and regretting that he had not had her near him earlier while Sophie was growing.

  “I honestly don’t know, I don’t know him well enough, you must know more about him than I, but it is obvious Sophie loves him. I hope he is worthy of her.”

  “He’d better be,” Tom snarled.

  “You may have to be the one who helps him develop. If we are too late he will be a member of your family and the most sensible thing you could do is ensure that he is not a stranger to you. That way surely they will both seek you out if they need advice or support, which most newlyweds do and you will be able to guide them.”

  “I have never been married, how can I possibly guide them?”

  “You want your sister to be happy and you know how to look after money and run an estate, so that will be enough for you to be of use to them.” They both fell silent as each pondered what the future may bring for Sophie if they did not reach her in time.

  “ You say you have not travelled, but yet you are so wise,” Tom said breaking the silence and lifted Isabelle’s hand which was still resting on his arm to his lips. It was her left hand and he kissed her ring finger. “Thank you and thank you for being here,” he said before squeezing her hand and placing it on her lap. His hand brushed her thigh and Isabelle felt as if she had had an electric shock.

  *

  By the time Isabelle arose the next morning she had to admit that she was completely sick of this method of travel. Her muscles felt as if they would explode if she did not get any exercise and her heart felt like it was going to burst because of being so confined with Tom and not being able to touch him in the way she wished. She got into the carriage with a sigh that was not commented on by Tom, but was heard and understood in its entirety.

  They travelled more in silence than the other days. It was not a silence that was fraught with problems, but both were thinking of the potential meeting that was getting closer. They stopped for an early lunch to tie in with the necessary horse change. Tom led the way out of the inn with Isabelle a little way behind. It was a habit they had quickly developed. Tom would quickly look around the yard and make sure there was no-one he recognised and then look back and smile at Isabelle. She looked forward to those smiles each time they stopped.

  This stop though was to prove more problematic. As soon as Tom had left the doorway Isabelle noticed his shoulders stiffening. Instinct told her to hang back and she moved to a window of the inn and looked out without being seen. A gentleman was approaching Tom with his arm outstretched in greeting. She could not hear what they were saying, but it was obviously another person he knew. Isabelle felt frustrated. They had been travelling for days and still he was meeting people of his acquaintance! She watched as Tom moved away from his carriage and she spied an opportunity.

  As she moved through the doorway Isabelle pulled her hood of her cloak over her head. She quickly walked past the carriage and exchanged a barely perceptible nod with Jackson. He indicated ever so slightly with his whip the direction she was to go and she set off at a brisk pace. She was almost running, not because of any fear of being seen, but that it was such a welcome change to be outside and able to use her legs that she wanted to get as far along the road as she could before she was collected. It was only ten minutes before she heard the carriage and turned to see Jackson slowing the horses, she had covered quite a lot of ground and Jackson raised his hat as the carriage came to a stop.

  “A brisk walk madam,” he said with a good natured smile.

  “Yes, enjoying it while I could. Thank you Jackson,” Isabelle smiled back as she climbed into the coach. She did not dwell on what he must think about this journey, just accepted his pleasant manner.

  As soon as she entered the carriage Jackson moved off and Isabelle was forced to hold out her hands to try and hold onto something, she had not had chance to sit down and was put off-balance. Tom reached out and held her hand, his other hand moved to her waist and he pulled her down next to him.

  “Jackson is a little too keen to put some distance between ourselves and the inn I feel,” he said with a smile.

  “Do you know everyone?” Isabelle asked teasingly, but aware that she was still being held by the waist.

  “Not quite, but too many for my liking at the moment,” he replied. He knew he should let go of her, but he could not bring himself to. The exercise had given her cheeks colour and her lips were slightly parted as she took deeper breaths from her activity. “Isabelle,” he whispered moving closer to her.

  Isabelle did not move, she looked at him, her eyes widening. She did not want to say anything to spoil it, the last time he had looked like this he had kissed her, but then had pulled away. If he did that again she thought she would throw herself out of the carriage.

  Tom mo
ved closer still, “Isabelle,” he muttered again before his lips met hers. He was as gentle as before, but as she leant in to him in response he pulled her tightly against him. Her arms moved up around his neck and pulled his head to her. He locked his lips firmly on hers, he parted her mouth and explored every part of it with his tongue. He did not want to let her go, he could not let her go. His hands travelled down her back and he became more excited as he felt her shiver beneath his touch. He moved a hand to her front and stroked her stomach, all the time kissing her. He moved his hand up to her neck, brushing her breast gently. She moaned at his touch, but he continued to move his hand to touch her neck. He could not resist kissing it, travelling down towards her shoulder.

  He took his time, he relished the feel of her skin and the way she responded to his every movement and touch. She pulled at his hair as if begging him to carry on, but he had wanted this for so long, he was savouring it. He moved her dress slightly off her shoulder and kissed every inch at that had been uncovered, all the while, touching her with his hand and lips. Every time he moved she arched towards him encouraging him.

  He moved his mouth down to the front of her dress and he heard her gasp. He lifted his head and looked up at her. Her cheeks were flushed and when she opened her eyes to look at him, there was no mistaking what she was feeling. Her eyes were unfocused with desire, the pupils dilated and she licked her lips as she gasped for breath. She moved forward to kiss him and he responded hungrily to her movement.

  He kissed her again and again, while his hands explored her body over her dress. She responded to his kisses and moved her body, welcoming his hands wherever they touched. He knew he could not stop, she would have to be the one to end this, but she was responding to him in such a way that she was in total agreement with what was happening, there was no turning back for either of them.

  Suddenly the carriage turned sharply and Tom almost lost his balance. He let go of Isabelle to right himself and tried to look out of the window to see what was happening. “The carriage is turning around,” he said. Both sat up quickly, each was flushed and dishevelled, but it was obvious something was wrong. They looked at each other but without saying a word, neither was capable of thought beyond what had been stopped.

  Chapter 11

  The carriage turned into an inn that they had only just passed, but neither had noticed it in the moment of their embrace. Jackson knocked on the carriage roof as he turned the vehicle and brought it to a stop. Tom looked out of the window and muttered something under his breath.

  “What is it?” Isabelle asked, finally finding her voice.

  “We’ve found them.” Came the emotionless reply.

  “Tom?” Isabelle asked quietly.

  He looked at her, an unreadable expression crossing his face, but not an unfeeling expression. “We’ll talk later, I promise.” He said gently, before jumping out of the carriage.

  Isabelle did not follow immediately. She would not have done even if they had arrived without the last moments happening, as she knew that Tom needed time to speak first with Sophie. But she did not feel able to move anyway. Her emotions were running wild, she could hardly contain the feelings that were running through her body. She had never expected that being with someone could be so powerful. Her every nerve ending had felt on fire, she had thrown caution to the wind, but it had been wonderful. She could still feel his fingers on her and her lips felt bruised where he had kissed her. She knew she should not feel this way, but acknowledged disappointment that it had stopped. If the interruption had not happened she would have abandoned herself to him.

  Eventually Isabelle focused her mind onto the present situation and left the carriage to enter the inn. She was directed to a private parlour by a maid and entered the small room to be met with a tense scene. Sophie was sitting in a chair as far away from her brother as she could be, crying into a well soaked handkerchief. Mr Arnold hovered protectively near Sophie’s side, looking angry and unsure at the same time. Tom was obviously trying to contain his temper, but struggling by the way he was pacing across the floor.

  “I cannot believe you still want to carry on this farce Sophie. I have told you I will give you my approval if he is truly the man you love. There is no longer the need to continue to Gretna Green. Why not return home and do this properly with all your friends and family around you?” Tom said, his voice rising slightly through his frustration.

  “By the time you have got me home you will have persuaded me to change my mind. You wanted me to accept James a few days ago, do you expect me to believe that you would accept Sidney so readily? It is so unlike you Tom.” Sophie looked towards Isabelle realising that she had entered the room and started to cry in earnest once more. “I am so sorry Miss Crawford, I used your brother ill and I am ashamed of it. I don’t expect forgiveness,” she sobbed.

  “Don’t be silly, you have my forgiveness, if any is needed. If you don’t love James I would rather you did not marry him. I would not want either of you to be miserable. Why are you so upset?” The meeting between brother and sister had obviously not gone smoothly and Isabelle could see that she needed to step in to try and resolve this rapidly deteriorating situation for all their benefits.

  “Tom wants me to go home and get married in Kent,” Sophie said with a sob.

  “Is that not good news?” Isabelle asked gently with a small smile.

  “You would think so wouldn’t you?” Tom said in exasperation, “But it seems whatever I say is not to my sister’s satisfaction. I give my permission for the wedding to take place and she’s still not happy!”

  Isabelle suppressed a smile. “Lady Sophie, are you not happy receiving your brother’s approval? Is that not news that should have you laughing with joy?”

  “Yes, I am happy with his approval, truly I am, but I’ve always wanted to be married in Gretna Green. It is the most romantic place to be married. Instead he wants me to be married in Kent!”

  Isabelle was really having difficulty keeping control, she was not sure whether she wanted to laugh or scream at Sophie. Instead she turned to Mr Arnold who had been very quiet during the exchange. “Can I have your word that if I take the Earl for a short walk you will not move from this room? I want your assurance that there will be no foolish mad dash to the border. We have already proved that we can outrun you, so it would be in vain, but I would appreciate having your word on the matter.”

  “You have my word. The Earl has approved the match, there is no reason to run,” Mr Arnold said sounding sensible, even if he did not appear totally comfortable with the situation before him.

  “I don’t want a walk,” Tom glared at Isabelle.

  “Please accompany me outside.” Isabelle said firmly and offered her arm to Tom. He gave her a look that would have frightened a lesser person, but she smiled in return and remained standing with her arm out until he let out an exasperated sigh and took it.

  They left the room and went into the yard. It was busy as any inn yard, with new arrivals pulling in and vehicles leaving. Isabelle led the way not saying anything until the yard was behind them and they had started walking down a lane adjacent to the main road.

  “This is not helping,” Tom said ill-humouredly.

  “You needed to leave there for a moment, but I appreciate you want to return to the room and resolve this,” Isabelle said simply. “Have you any real objections to Sophie marrying in Gretna Green now she is not running away?”

  “She should have her family around her. It should be done properly,” he replied belligerently.

  Isabelle turned to him. “Maybe she should have everyone around her but maybe she wants a small wedding without any fuss. Have you ever asked her what type of wedding she wants? It is obvious she is of a very romantic nature and longs for the perceived romance of Gretna Green more than the usual conventional marriage most girls want. “

  “She is being foolish,” Tom muttered darkly.

  “Perhaps, but every girl has secret dreams about the wedding
she would like, but it does not make her foolish, just a dreamer. One thing you need to consider that may influence your final decision is, will you be able to get her back to Kent without anyone finding out about what has happened? The longer she is away there is an increased chance of someone becoming suspicious. Especially as you’ve already been seen by two people you know. What if they see you on the way back with Sophie? They will know immediately what the urgent family business was and the secret will be out.”

  Tom blinked as if he had been slapped when Isabelle had finished speaking. It was obvious her words had hit home. “This is a nightmare!” He finally exploded.

  “No it is not.” Isabelle assured him. “Why not accompany them to Gretna Green and let Sophie have the wedding she desires? That way it will be all the more special to her, you will be there to give her away. Then send an announcement to the Times, let everyone know they are married. Their honeymoon can be the journey home and when you return and tell everyone that you gave your sister exactly the wedding she wanted Sophie will be able to talk about it to her heart’s content and there should not be any scandal. There may be raised eyebrows at the beginning, but if people know you were there and took an active role, it won’t last. Any danger of scandal will have been averted and you will only be seen as an indulgent older brother.”

  Isabelle did not think she had convinced him, she was not sure if her argument was sound enough, but it was the only way she could think of to try and limit any potential risk to Sophie’s reputation.

  Tom was quiet as they walked, he paused and turned to her with a smile after a few moments. “Come wise one, let us go and break the good news.”

  They entered the parlour to find Mr Arnold talking quietly to Sophie, who had finally stopped crying and was nodding in agreement at whatever he was saying. Sophie looked up in alarm as they entered, her eyes immediately going to her brother. Isabelle could not help but feel sorry for the girl, she did seem very young.