Read Online Josie Dennis by Return to Norrington Abbey - Free Book Online Page A

my every move.”
    “Yes, but do not rub that in my face.” Frederick poured more liquor in his glass, then in James’s. “To our future wife.”
    James shook his head, doubt still evident in his eyes, but he raised his glass in answer. “To Isabella.”

Chapter 9
     
    “You have been most secretive, brother,” Catherine said. “That is not like you.”
    James worked his expression into an affable smile for his sister. She’d hunted him down in the library, where he’d hoped to pass the afternoon with nothing more than Isabella on his mind. It was not to be. Catherine perched herself on a chair with a smug expression on her face. He would not betray anything to her, however. Not about himself and Isabella, nor about Frederick’s role in their liaison.
    “I am an open book, Catherine. I’ve always been.”
    She tilted her head to one side, her eyes narrowed. “Not of late. One would think you have something to conceal.”
    “Where are John and Henry?” he asked, hoping to divert her. “They weren’t in the breakfast room, though calling that enormous space such a name feels wrong.”
    Catherine smiled. “They are about the estate, though I believe Henry goes to keep away from the general and John goes to help him keep his temper.”
    This surprised James. “Henry has a temper? I’ve never seen evidence of it.”
    A sad expression crossed her face. “Where his father is concerned, I doubt he’ll ever lose it.”
    “Family can be complicated.” Today more than most days, apparently. This observation he kept to himself.
    “Ours is not so, I’m happy to say,” she said. “Loud and intrusive, but not complicated.” She brightened now. “Tell me, James. Are we soon to add a member?”
    The swift turn in topic almost ruffled him. Almost. He’d been prepared for this pointed question since he’d first come to Thorne Manor and made Isabella’s acquaintance. Catherine was never one to dissemble, and he’d read her hopes quite clearly from the start.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Don’t you? I’ve seen the looks, James. The lingering glances and heated expressions.”
    He scoffed. “Have you been reading those novels of yours again? All that intrigue and passion causes you to see things that are not there.”
    She looked about, apparently making certain no one would overhear this tedious and troubling stream of conversation, then leaned closer. “You care for Isabella, James. I’ve known that for a while now. I daresay you are in love with her!”
    That last declaration was delivered on a whisper.
    “Catherine, I will not—”
    “You must seize the day, James. Offer for her before Frederick Tilman can seize the chance to steal her for himself.”
    His heart thumped at her words. She skirted quite close to the truth. Frederick was trying to steal Isabella, but he was not alone in that goal. They were partners in crime.
    “Frederick?” he asked, keeping his tone even.
    “He watches her,” Catherine said, her brow furrowed. “Like last year, he watches her. I am afraid he’ll seduce her away from us.”
    “Us?”
    “You know our sisters are quite young, James. I love them, but we are not close. Isabella is a sister to me in every way. I want her to belong to us.”
    He saw the love on her face for Isabella, and knew that if he let his own feelings show it would be like looking in a mirror. He fell to his knees before her, taking her hands in his.
    “You have Isabella, Catherine. John is your husband and Isabella is your sister.”
    She sniffed, her eyes glistening. “I know. And I am happier than I ever thought I could be with John and—” Her eyes grew round, and then she shook her head. “I want you to be happy, James.”
    He’d heard her slip of the tongue and mentally finished that second-to-last sentence. She was with both John and Henry. That was clear to him now.
    He patted her hands and came to his feet. “Do not worry about me, sister. I shall have