The Complicated Earl by Audrey Harrison Page A

betray her composure . She was sought out by many men and was unnerved by his accuracy. She tried to deflect the conversation. “My goodness, I do believe there was a compliment in your words. Be careful my Lord, your reputation will be damaged if people think you are being civil to a lady.”
    Tom smiled in genuine amusement. “I am assured of your confidence in the matter; otherwise I would not have spoken so rashly. So, are you constantly rejecting suitors even in sedate Bath?” He persisted.
    “Why is my personal life of such an int erest?” Isabelle asked. Tom looked as if he was going to reply, but did not. He could not answer her; he just knew that he wanted to know. If the reason was to find out who his competition was he was not ready to acknowledge that to himself, but he knew he would continue to try and find out until she answered. Isabelle had asked the question in exasperation, she had a feeling that it was probably easier to answer, but found the probing question difficult. Eventually when it became apparent that the Earl was not going to answer she felt forced to respond. “I have had a few proposals, but I am always clear in my not encouraging such approaches. You make me answer you in a way that I sound vain, admitting to receiving more than one.”
    “I wouldn’t accuse you of being vain with the look of discomfort that is on your face. We had better change the subject, or I shall be seen as a very undesirable partner by anyone watching us dance,” Tom smiled.
    “As you are titled, you could never be seen as an undesirable partner, my Lord,” Isabelle smiled back. “There are women enough prepared to put up with far more difficulties than living with you would bring. Many would put up with much for the chance to receive your title and fortune, as I am sure you are aware.”
    Tom grimaced, “I’m only too well aware. I used to dream when I was a young boy of disguising myself and finding a lady that would not care if I had nothing to recommend me apart from my character.”
    “If you did meet such a lady, you could never have married her,” Isabelle said and smiled wickedly at Tom’s raised eyebrows. “Well she could not be a sensible woman if she fell in love with your character alone could she?”
    “You terrible woman!” Tom laughed. “I must remember never to introduce you to anyone I may want to impress.”
    “Probably a very wise course of action,” Isabelle smiled as the dance came to an end.
    They moved to the side of the room and were immediately approached by James and Sophie. Isabelle noticed a small group of people hanging back a little.
    “Tom, I have such good news, the Miss Arnolds are in Bath, with their brother and mother! Isn’t that wonderful?” Sophie beamed at her brother, failing to notice the slight start of his body at her announcement, but he had already seen the group and bowed to them stiffly at Sophie’s words.
    Sophie indicated for her friends to join her and they immediately moved towards her with smiling faces. Sophie took the hand of the eldest girl and made the introductions. “Miss Crawford, Mr Crawford I would like to introduce you to my dear friend Miss Charlotte Arnold. This is her younger sister Miss Cecily Arnold, her brother Mr Sidney Arnold and their mother Mrs Arnold.”
    Bows and curtsies were made all around, with Isabelle acutely aware that the Earl was not happy with the situation. She gained a little more insight when Mrs Arnold started to speak. “Well, what a lovely surprise this is your Lordship. I must say what a coincidence it is that we are all in Bath together. I do think our two girls have been playing games with us your Lordship, planning their little get together behind our back. I’m sure I can understand it though, they are such good friends and don’t like being parted. When did you arrive in Bath? We only arrived today, but there was to be no resting for my girls, they wanted to dance straight away. I told them we may