Page 109 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

A final glance at Cassandra almost undid Jethro’s resolve. The fear in her eyes was all too real. But he had himself well in hand. He could do this—without embarrassing either of them.

“I am intrigued, Mrs Frampton,” Jethro said. “Did Captain Vincent really want you to marry him before he sailed?”

“Yes, he did. Do you doubt it?”

“Not at all—but I am intrigued. What persuaded you to postpone the wedding?

Mrs Frampton laughed. “A handsome captain may have swept me off my feet, but I was not so lost to reason that I would tie myself permanently to a penniless officer before he had made a name for himself.”

“Or brought home his battle trophies.”

Eugenia looked confused. “I’m not sure I follow you.”

“I am applauding the wisdom of not anticipating his prize money. When a man’s bank balance matters to you, it is better not to rely on remote possibilities. Such a tricky thing, prize money. One can never predict if it will be approved until it turns up. Isn’t that right, Alexander?”

His brother-in-law nodded. “Who knows how long it will take them to determine how much I’m due? Until then, I have as little as I went to sea with.”

Eugenia chuckled. “Now I understand you, Mr Hunt. Of course, there was always a good chance that Xander would make his fortune, as so many of our brave captains have done.”

“But how frustrating it would have been for you to have married him only to discover that his prize money was disappointingly little.”

“I’m glad you see my reasoning. Far better to know what you’re getting—”

“Mercantile profits are so much more reliable than prize money.”

“Indeed they are, Mr Hunt, as I’m sure my husband would agree.”

Jethro found it hard not to scoff out loud. The foolish woman thought she was flattering him by agreeing with his words when she was admitting her own avarice.

“And if all you are interested in is a man’s bank balance, it is far wiser to marry a man whose coffers are already full, instead of one whose purse might remain empty—however much you love him.”

The expression on Jethro’s face was as sincere as if he meant every word he said. Eugenia looked increasingly confused.

“But to return to Captain Vincent’s position, I am moved you see him as a charity case, but I can assure you there is no need for you to ask a favour of Mr Frampton. Fortunately, my purse is just as full of those reliable mercantile profits as your husband’s, and I can well provide for my wife’s brother without requiring him to work for it—though I daresay he will help me out with things from time to time, as soon as he is able.

“You always know you can trust a man if he rebels against becoming your pensioner. If he begrudges the fact that he can’t reject your aid when he’s poor and in need, you can be certain he’s worthy of it.”

A slow grin spread across Alexander’s face. He understood what Jethro was saying, even if Mrs Frampton didn’t.

“So, I’m curious. Why did you engage yourself to wed a man you had no intention of marrying, if I might be so bold as to ask?”

Eugenia stumbled over her words, colour flooding her cheeks.

“What are you talking about? Of course I intended to marry him. Aren’t you aware—we were in love? Or perhaps such sentiments are alien to you.”

Jethro laughed. “Not as unfamiliar to me as you imagine, but then, it takes a good woman to bring out the best in a man.”

He could see a faint blush colour Cassandra’s cheeks. It was an added bonus if this conversation succeeded in letting his wife know how he felt.

“So what made you fall out of love with him?” he asked Mrs Frampton.

“What do you mean?”

Jethro raised his eyebrows in an exaggerated fashion. “Merely, that if you had been in love with the captain, I would have thought you would have waited for him.”

“I…er…well…I suppose I fell in love with someone else.”

Jethro shook his head in amazement. “How incredible. I didn’t know it was possible to fall in love with someone else when you had promised yourself to another. Assuming, of course, that you take your promises seriously. I can only assume your pledge meant little to you. I do hope, Mrs Frampton, you hold your wedding vows in higher regard.”