"Knowing what happens to her every time she sees Blackthorne, it has to be her decision if she goes back," Isobel said. "I'll not force any woman to go through what she does. It was unbearable to me, Thorburn. It was like being raped each time my husband took me or gave me to some other, not to mention the beatings. You know what I was when I came here, a cowed little mouse. She agrees or we let her go; help her to leave. Even asking her is disgusting to me."

"I'll agree to it. She volunteers or she's gone," Thorburn said.

"Then we'll speak to her tomorrow," Frang...