The Complicated Earl by Audrey Harrison

be happy. She just wanted the happy go lucky brother to return.
    Mary did not accompany them to the ball. She happily joined Isabelle when they were alone. But since she had a circle of friends in Bath, while James was staying she took the opportunity of staying in and enjoying the quiet way of life that she preferred. Neither James nor Isabelle pushed her to attend the Ball, each knowing their cousin’s nature; and although she would have been a welcome addition to the group, they accepted her choice.
    The Assembly Rooms were already full when they arrived , many couples already dancing in the large central room. James was immediately on the lookout for Sophie and the Earl, but Isabelle would have preferred to not seek them out straight away. She knew this was more to do with the exchange that had occurred that morning with the Earl and tried to shake the reluctance away for the sake of her brother. She needed to make the visit as pleasant as possible, which would be made easier if she did not react to the Earl as she had been doing so far.
    As they smiled and chatted to one or two friends standing at the entrance to the rooms they were approached by the Earl and Sophie, who had arrived behind them. The Earl looked at James with a frown. “It may not be London, but these rooms are always a damned crush!”
    “It’s wonderful! So many people and such beautiful dresses.” Sophie whispered to Isabelle.
    Isabelle smiled at her enthusiasm. “Your brother is correct, it isn’t up to London standards, but it’s fine for us lesser people. I hope you are ready to dance. I do not think you will have any spare time for anything else this evening.” Isabelle had noticed the appreciative stares Sophie was receiving from the gentlemen around them.
    The music started and James took Sophie’s hand and led h er onto the dancefloor. Tom looked as if he was going to speak to Isabelle, but Mr Beckett came and claimed her. She was led away chatting easily to her friend as they joined the set. Mr Beckett was interested to catch up with Isabelle; he had not seen her properly since the new arrivals and was keen to find out about them. Isabelle was able to make him laugh as they moved up the set, describing her banter with the Earl. She was teased that she would have to be careful or she would lose her heart to the dashing stranger. Isabelle was able to reassure her friend with sincerity that her heart was in no danger; he was an amusing diversion only.
    She did not see Tom for nearly an hour, but as the second dance came to an end, her elbow was touched. She turned to see him holding her arm. She had known it was him before she turned and although his touch had sent a shiver of something through her, she was able to greet him with a smile.
    “Enjoying your evening ?” She asked playfully.
    “Maybe , when I have claimed the dance I had to delay because of my sister’s interference,” he said moving her to dance with him. Isabelle found herself stiffening at his presumption that she was not engaged for the next dance, but chose to bite her tongue and not cause any upset. They moved to the head of the set and waited for the music to start. “Was that one of your beaux?” The Earl asked, his eyes flicking back to Mr Beckett, who was dancing with someone else in another set.
    “He’s an old friend,” Isabelle replied coolly.
    “Don’t try and tell me that you do not have a line of men wanting you for their wife, hoping that you will pick one of them,” Tom smiled, but it was more like a sneer.
    “Y ou seem to be judging me by the standards of the women you obviously surround yourself with, desperate to keep a group of men around them to flirt with while trying to ensnare a husband, my Lord,” Isabelle answered as they moved through the set.
    “Not at all, I’m judging you by the standard of women in this room and you outshine them all. You must be sought out by many.”
    Isabelle fought to stop the blush that threatened to