The Complicated Earl Read Online Free PDF Page A

its good fare.
    The conv ersation was stilted. Mary in her own quiet way did her best to reach through the armour that the Earl had around him, while James and Lady Sophie were absorbed in themselves to the exclusion of everyone else. Isabelle was content not to try to engage the Earl in conversation; she was more interested in watching her brother and his prospective bride. They did seem to be happy with each other; Isabelle could see clearly that James was besotted with Lady Sophie, but Isabelle was slightly concerned at the young age of Lady Sophie. She knew that the age difference was not uncommon, but Lady Sophie seemed even younger than her years, if she had not already been told her age, she would have guessed that she was barely out of the schoolroom. The concerns were reinforced by the snippets of conversation that she listened to and she began to question whether the match would be long-lasting. She would hate for James to finally fall in love to then find out his attachment waned as the age difference became an issue.
    Eventually she was disturbed from her thoughts by the Earl’s voice. “So, Miss Crawford, what do you find to occupy yourself with in Bath?” It was asked with a sneering drawl, which made Isabelle bristle.
    “Oh I think you’ll find that there is plenty to keep one occupied for those willing to enter into the hustle and bustle even a small society can create,” Isabelle smiled coolly back.
    “Do you take the waters often?”
    “No, never, I’m never ill.”
    Tom raised his eyebrows, “And yet you have settled in Bath. Singular.”
    “Not at all, ” Isabelle said coolly, keeping control even though his tone annoyed her. “I wish to avoid the silliness of London and Bath offers the perfect alternative, entertainment without the shallowness of much of London society.”
    “I thought all young la dies revelled in London society,” Tom replied condescendingly.
    Isabelle laughed , genuinely amused.“If I were still a young lady perhaps I would have agreed with your comment and been more reluctant to leave London, but once past one’s prime it is best to accept the realities of the world and arrange one’s life to suit one’s own needs. Rather that than live unhappily in a society one has ceased to enjoy.”
    Tom looked in disbelief at Isabelle and appeared to start to say something, but his sister interrupted their conversation. “Miss Crawford, your brother tells me you are an excellent horsewoman. Could I accompany you on your rides during my stay?”
    “ I would question the term excellent, but yes it would be a pleasure to have your company while you are here. I ride or walk most days. If you like you can use my second horse with pleasure. Mary dislikes riding and so poor Jess never gets the exercise she needs.”
    “That would be wonderfu l, Tom would you join us? I know you go mad if you don’t get at least one good ride a day.”
    Tom looked unhappy to have been included in the proposed outings, but he was too polite to give a refusal, so agreed to make up the party in the morning. “Do you keep to the town when you walk and ride?” He asked Isabelle as his sister turned back to James to make plans for their ride.
    “I do try and make morning visits on foot whenever possible. It seems a waste to use the carriage when I am perfectly capable of walking through town. I also like walking in Sidney Gardens and of course there is the obligatory walk along the Crescent on Sundays,” she said with a smile. “I venture further afield though whenever I can, there are lovely walks to the nearby villages, especially to Weston to which I drag Mary along far too often for her liking. The countryside further afield is beautiful. I believe it will meet the approval of most lucky enough to venture out beyond the City.”
    “My cousin is far too energetic for those around her,” Mary smiled at Isabelle . “I usually hope that she exhausts herself by evening, so we can have a quiet time