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love in my life. I promise you that.”
    She blinked rapidly then nodded her head. “I shall have to be content with that cryptic statement.” She smiled. “But do not expect me to stop wishing for you and Isabella to find what we have.”
    He smiled again, letting her see a touch of the happiness he’d found already.
    “I shall concede the point to you.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Isabella shifted in her seat, unable to forget all that her men had done to her last night. James had eaten her and she’d eaten Frederick in turn! Then later, on her knees for goodness’ sake, she had claimed both of them for her own.
    “You’ve told me you wish to cut your visit short, Henry,” she heard General Tilman say. “When can I expect you to leave the abbey?”
    She schooled her expression, keeping her eyes on the fine meal in front of her. She risked a look at Frederick’s brother, however, reading decisiveness on his face. Dread flooded her limbs.
    “We’ll head back to Somersetshire in three days,” Henry said.
    She froze. Three days? Only three days more with Frederick and James? She looked at her men and saw the flashes of regret and confusion on their faces before they each smoothed their features.
    “Why so soon?” the general asked. “Have you not enjoyed your time here? I believe you’ve been riding the estate with Mr. Thorne and his lovely bride.”
    Henry shot a glance at John, who cleared his throat.
    “We have had a very pleasant time here, General,” John said. “Home beckons, however.”
    “Home?” The general leaned back, the casual posture doing nothing to lessen his aura of authority. “Norrington Abbey is your home, Henry. Tell me what draws you to Thorne Manor. As if I didn’t know.”
    A hush fell over the table at what the man was intimating. Catherine paled then blushed a bright red.
    “Henry is welcome at our home,” Isabella rushed out. “Do not say that he is anything but a member of the family.”
    Frederick’s father turned his icy gaze on her. “Is that so, Miss Thorne? Do you welcome my younger son’s company, then? Hmm, I would have thought your affections were secured elsewhere.”
    Her throat grew tight, and she found herself unable to speak. Oh, he was an odious man. First shaming Catherine and Henry so then attempting to bait her into revealing her feelings.
    “That is enough,” Frederick said. “Henry is not bound to the abbey, Father. We should be grateful he came for this visit, after the last time we had such company.”
    The general waved a hand, apparently not caring a wit whose feelings he trod upon. “As you say, Frederick.”
    By the time the meal concluded, no one was of a mind to spend time in the parlor or sitting room. John and Henry claimed to have business to discuss and Frederick and James each took off for unknown destinations. It took but a moment for Catherine and Isabella to silently agree to leave the general to his own distasteful company.
    “Are you to bed, Isabella?” Catherine asked.
    “I suppose. Will you retire?”
    Catherine bit her lip then shook her head. “I’ll most likely read for a time.”
    Isabella wanted to ask her if her occupation would only last until John and Henry joined her but that was beyond her at present. “One of your gothic novels?” she teased instead.
    “Oh, no. I find with your brother I have no need for such stories.”
    It was a running joke among them that such books had fairly consumed Catherine’s mind just last year, but that was before she found all the love and passion she needed with John. Again, Frederick’s words struck her. Where did Henry fit into their marriage? It was on the tip of her tongue to finally ask Catherine outright but, now faced with her sister-in-law’s open countenance, she didn’t dare bring her shame of embarrassment by asking such. Surely enduring the general’s hateful behavior during dinner was enough discomfort for one evening.
    Drawing Catherine into her arms, Isabella placed