Josie Dennis by Return to Norrington Abbey

have to relinquish anything?” Realization dawned on James. “Your father? No! Do not say he would disinherit you?”
    “In the space of a heartbeat. He’s a coldhearted bastard, though I’m ashamed to admit that for years I tried to emulate his image. It sickens me that our dilemma stems from my careless behavior. Yes, I’d still have my mother’s money, but the abbey? He’d bar me from it.”
    James thought for a moment. “Have you talked to your brother?”
    “About what, pray?”
    “The abbey, Frederick. Do you believe he would claim the property?”
    Frederick shook his head. “Henry wants nothing to do with the general or the abbey. Or myself, I’m certain.”
    “The two of you are estranged. I’ve known that.”
    “My brother hates me. Plain and simple.”
    James studied his friend for a long moment. Frederick looked sad and shocked and a little red around his eyes. James placed an arm around his shoulders. “Your brother is a fair man, Frederick. If Catherine wasn’t happily married to John I would be exceedingly pleased had she chosen your brother.”
    Frederick laughed softly. “She did.”
    James opened his mouth to object then realized the hypocrisy of such a declaration. “As you say. Talk to him. He’s devoted to both Catherine and John. Loyalty runs deep in Henry. I’ve seen it.”
    Frederick’s shoulders slumped. “I may have lost any chance I had to be close to my brother. It has been so since our mother’s passing.”
    James shook his head. “I am sorry for that, then.”
    “I’ve changed since last year, friend. I feel I’m changing still. Isabella is one reason, true. But you are the other.”
    Sincerity was in all his looks, and James’s throat tightened. “You are like a brother to me now. Depend upon it.”
    Frederick nodded again then squared his shoulders. “I want to give Isabella everything, and to do that I have to marry her.”
    “Yes.”
    “You are to be a part of our union, James. Promise me?”
    In his soul it felt right to give his vow. “I promise.” There was still a large obstacle to their plan, however. “What of your father? I won’t have Isabella anywhere near him.”
    “I agree. I have but two more days to set matters to rights. I’ll speak to Henry about that, and perhaps we can arrive at a solution.” Frederick smiled that crooked grin of his. “I may have familial harmony at last. Two brothers and a wife. Imagine that.”
    James felt a shift in his chest. Their mutual attraction for Isabella had brought both of them something far more.
    He prayed it was enough of a bond to hold Isabella to them forever.

Chapter 11
     
    Frederick thought all night about what he and James had discussed. Isabella was worth everything, even crawling to his brother and apologizing for every misdeed and flippant insult he’d ever hurled in his direction.
    He and James vowed to stay away from Isabella last night, due to her reaction after the last time they were all together. He suspected James had as much trouble sleeping as he’d had.
    The fact that the sun’s rising saw him up and about was enough to assure him he needed to do something to resolve his life before he could get on with it. John and Henry had taken to riding the estate early in the morning, for exercise and surely to avoid the general’s company in the breakfast room. And his own, no doubt.
    He strode into the breakfast room now to find the two of them finishing their coffee. Catherine and Isabella were absent. As was the general, thank God. Frederick nodded at John and faced his brother.
    “Henry, I would like to have a word with you if I may.”
    Henry stared at him, his brows raised. “With me? Whatever for?”
    “I trust you still plan to return to Somersetshire on the morrow?”
    Henry looked to John, some silent communication passing between them. Henry finally nodded to Frederick. “Yes.”
    “Then I must ask you once more to speak with me in private.”
    Henry must have seen the