Austin replied, “Okay. I shall do as you ask so long as you don’t judge my table manners.”

“You look cultivated and gentlemanly. Although I haven’t dined with you, I guess your table manners aren’t that terrible.”

Austin smiled.

He thought, ‘As expected of my wife. She has such keen eyes.’

“By the way, there’s something I want to ask.”

Austin looked toward Isabella and waited for her to continue.

“Do you want to go home during the holidays? It’s a long journey back to Wiltspoon from Satbury. I heard the winters in Wiltspoon aren’t cold at all.”

Austin replied, “Will someone else take care of your meals if I go home? If so, I do wish to go back. My nana is old. She hopes all her grandchildren will be home for the festive season.

“All of us are usually scattered in different places due to work. It’s difficult for us to gather in one place at the same time.”

Austin did not lie.

Isabella had investigated Austin before. She knew he had a biological brother and many cousins. The