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

belonged to her before she wed the general. If what he was thinking were true, it was little wonder his mother had been miserable for as long as Frederick had known her. That was certainly something he’d never given much thought before, to his regret. But it was something he would never wish for Isabella.
    “I have never forced a woman and I never shall,” he said. “Not to my bed and not to the altar.”
    “Then let James Morris take her from you. He is handsome and charming and the girl favors him. I’ve seen it. She gifts him with the same hot looks she gives you when she thinks no one aware.”
    “You’ve been watching her?”
    “I admit I thought to sample her favors myself when last she was here.”
    Frederick’s stomach lurched at the very thought. “What?”
    “You seemed interested then, but when you didn’t claim her I thought to have a go at it myself.”
    Frederick shook, his hands in fists at his sides. “You will not touch her.”
    “Not of a mind to share her, then?”
    Not with you. “Isabella isn’t meant for such use, Father.”
    “Then marry the girl and your worries will be over. Take your orders from my stratagem. Populate your home with comely maids and you won’t have to resign yourself to only one cunt for all of your days.”
    “And have a blissful union as you and Mother had?”
    He hadn’t meant to say it, but it felt as liberating as when he’d sold out his commission and seized the chance to become his own man at long last.
    “Who are you to question our marriage? You were well provided for, you and your brother.”
    “I can see this conversation is going nowhere.” Frederick turned to leave. “Stay out of my affairs and away from Isabella Thorne.”
    “Do not naysay me, Frederick. If you won’t propose to the chit I shall have to tell her brother that you’ve bedded her. See how long your bachelorhood continues.”
    That stilled him. John Thorne would indeed demand satisfaction, either at the altar or on the grounds at dawn. Either way, Isabella would never allow such interference. He wouldn’t give his father any satisfaction tonight, either. “I am no longer required to take orders from you on the battlefield. Do not treat me so at home or you will find yourself without both of your sons.”
    With that, he stalked from the study. He would not be forced into marriage, even if Isabella Thorne was the one woman he could actually envision spending the rest of his life with. There was at least one great impediment to any marriage between him and Isabella, however.
    Her obvious regard for James Morris. Did she wish to marry James? The girl had her own money, that was clear. She could marry anywhere she wished to. Certainly her brother would approve the match. John Thorne was wed to James’s sister, for God’s sake.
    There was no love lost between himself and John Thorne. He could scarcely recall all he said to John during their last visit to Norrington without feeling ashamed. He’d told him and his own brother to fuck Catherine and leave her. He’d said she was a nobody. It was a marvel any of them could withstand his company now.
    He had much to atone for, but now was not the time for that particular campaign. Isabella was the only concern for him at present.

Chapter 7
     
    “What is this place?” Isabella asked in a tremulous voice.
    James watched her, seeing the excitement in her every breath. She wasn’t frightened, not their girl. She was indeed a marvel.
    They were all three still dressed as they’d been at dinner, lest anyone happen upon them on their way to this secluded part of the great house. They stood in the dark, secluded corridor Frederick had shown him this afternoon, just outside the thick wooden door. Large bed, supple leather straps and shackles, the chamber was more than he’d ever imagined. Just the thought of Isabella’s delectable body spread for them to taste and take had his cock so hard it ached.
    James glanced at Frederick, who