Norrington Abbey (10 page)

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“I cannot believe she asked us to both take her,” Henry said.

John shook his head, holding his glass of brandy but not drinking any. “She is everything I’ve ever wanted, Henry. Tell me you will come with us to Somersetshire.”

Henry settled in the chair before the hearth, sipping at his own drink. “What will I do there? I cannot be without purpose, John.”

John scratched his chin. “I believe I can use your help in running the estate.” He smiled. “You’re a clever fellow. Act as my steward.”

Facts and figures, ledgers and accounts. It suited him. “You would trust me with such matters?”

John smiled. “Like one of the family.”

“But what of your sister?”

“Isabella won’t have to know of our arrangement with Catherine. I daresay she wouldn’t—”

“John, you must stop her!” Isabella cried, rushing into the parlor.

John came to his feet. “Isabella, what is this about?”

Henry stood as well, crossing to John’s sister. “Are you speaking of Catherine?” His stomach clenched. “What’s going on?”

“She is leaving the abbey.” She clasped her hands and stared up at John. “You must stop her!”

Henry thought for a moment. “How could she leave? It’s the dead of night.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “Her things are packed and she was crying. It nearly broke my heart.”

“I daresay it will break mine,” John said. “Come, Henry. There is no way in hell we’ll lose her now.”

“We?” Isabella blinked in obvious confusion. “Whatever do you—?” She waved a hand. “I care not about the particulars. Stop her from leaving, Henry. You and my brother care for her, and I know she cares for you both.”

Henry rushed out of the parlor, John and Isabella close behind. The clock in the hall was ringing out the midnight hour but he barely noticed. No, it was the small figure sitting on the stairs that drew his attention. Catherine sat, so sad looking with her satchel beside her on the step.

“Catherine!” Henry called.

She looked up, her startled gaze flitting between him and John, and the love on her face told him everything. Alarm rounded her eyes in the next moment and she came to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

“The question is, why are you leaving in the dead of night?” John asked.

“Hell, why are you leaving at all?” Henry needed to know.

“I demanded it be so,” the general said from the entry.

Henry gaped at his father. “What is the meaning of this?”

“She has nothing, Henry. I won’t have you marry someone of so low a station, no matter if you’ve already had her.”

“Watch your words, General,” John warned.

“Tell me Henry hasn’t bedded her. Hell, I’m sure you’ve had a taste of her as well.”

“How dare you?” Isabella asked. “Catherine is as dear to me as a sister. I won’t have you speak of her so.”

The general ran his gaze over Isabella now. “You might have a fortune, dear, but with that waspish tongue I wouldn’t want you as a daughter-in-law, either.”

“That is enough,” Catherine said.

She stood as tall as her small frame allowed and walked regally toward the general. “Isabella, this is not for your ears.”

“It most certainly is,” she countered.

Henry didn’t envy John’s task of dealing with his sister once she knew the truth of it all. That was a matter for another time, however, for the general’s face held as dark an expression as Henry had ever seen. If he dared to strike Catherine…

“You will not marry my son!” the general said.

“You have the right of it for once,” John said. “Catherine will marry me.”

Chapter 13

Catherine gaped at John. “What?”

“You would marry this soiled dove?” the general scoffed. “Hardly. Why, had she stayed at the abbey a few more days no doubt Frederick would have had a go at her.”

Henry punched his father square in the face. “Do not speak of her so!”

His father narrowed his eyes on him as he rubbed his reddened jaw. “At last a man, I see? Yet, you’ll share your woman with another.”

“She is not one of your maids, Father.”

“You know of that?” the general asked with a raised brow. “That is diverting.”

“Catherine is my betrothed, General,” John said. “You shall speak no more of her.”

Catherine felt John take her cold fingers in his, but she couldn’t seem to take in all that had happened in the space of five minutes. “Your betrothed?” she whispered.

“Oh, Catherine!” Isabella said, coming to hug her.

“I haven’t yet…” Catherine closed her eyes and drew in a shaking breath. “How can I marry John?”

“I love you,” John said. “You love me. Admit it.”

She did, so very much. Looking to Henry, she saw the affection on his face as well. They loved her! “I love you,” she said to them both.

The general fisted his hands and advanced on Henry. “You will have nothing, Henry. Mark my words. If you leave the abbey I will disinherit you.”

“I would expect nothing less,” Henry said. “I am going to Somersetshire with John and Catherine.”

Isabella’s face registered her shock. “Henry?”

“He will be my steward, sister,” John said. “I find I cannot get along without him.”

“Then we are through,” the general said. “Good-bye, Henry.” He turned away then shot his youngest son a rueful smile. “At last you’re a man. I suppose I can take some solace in that fact.”

He stalked away, leaving the four of them in the entry. Catherine longed to get them alone and work through the details of this new development, but Isabella was still present. John seemed to catch Catherine’s intent and he smiled at his sister.

“Isabella, I would like to speak with Catherine alone.”

Isabella hugged Catherine, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “I do not care about anything but the blessed fact that you will be my sister.” She regarded Henry with a tilt of her head. “I take it you wish to speak with the happy couple as well?”

Henry colored, and Catherine studied the marble tile beneath her slippers. Isabella left them as well and Henry came to stand close to her and John.

“Say you’ll marry John, Catherine,” Henry beseeched. “We both love you and want to be with you always.”

Her heart dipped to her belly. “Always?”

It was the future she hadn’t had the courage to hope for but craved more than anything in the world. Dare she take what they offered?

“You love me,” she said. They nodded and she forged ahead with the most pressing question. “Will you both be happy with only me for the rest of your lives? For I cannot bear to think of the two of you growing tired with me and seeking a new amusement.”

“Amusement?” John took her hand, and she studied his hazel eyes. Love shone there. “I love you. Henry loves you. You are everything we want.”

Henry took her other hand, his expression equally sincere. “You are everything we will ever need.”

“Oh, I love you both!” She tearfully accepted their kisses and caresses as she sank once more on the stairs.

“You’ll marry me, love?” John asked.

“Yes!” she cried.

She closed her eyes and breathed in their scents, memorized their touch. She would have everything she ever wanted, all the passion and intrigue she’d sought in her novels.

And a life with John and Henry was all she would ever need.

THE END

WWW.JOSIEDENNIS.COM

Josie Dennis writes erotic romances for the discerning reader. Her characters find love in the most amazing places, and the Happily Ever After is a guarantee. Readers who like their romances hot and their heroes and heroines open to ideas they’ve only explored in their fantasies will find her erotic romances quite satisfying. Josie divides her time between Central Florida and New England.

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Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 4:
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Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 5:
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Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com