Page 13 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

“Very well.”

He led her up the stairs and opened the door of the chamber next to his.

“I hope you like it.”

Cassandra’s countenance lit up as she walked to the window and gazed out at the sea, in the same way he often did. It warmed him to see the delight on her face. He had thought she would be more interested in the room, but no. It was the view that brought the smile to her lips.

It was a portal into the activity of the bustling harbour. On the quayside below, fisherwomen sorted the night’s catch whilst their menfolk washed down the decks of their vessels. Through a mesh of rigging, you could make out a rowing boat, taking a couple of people to a house on the Nothe Peninsula on the far side of the harbour.

Her eyes drifted away from the window to the door on one side of the room. “Where does that lead?”

“To your dressing room.”

She disappeared from sight as she examined the space and then returned and walked across to the door on the opposite side.

“And this?” she asked, with her fingers over the handle.

Heat rose up Jethro’s neck, warming his cheeks, and he looked away, unable to meet Cassandra’s eyes. “It connects to my bedchamber. ”

“Of course. I should have realised.”

“Do not fear I will intrude on your privacy,” he said, before she could ask any embarrassing questions about the more intimate aspects of marriage. “This is a business deal. There is a key in the lock, if you feel in greater need of security.”

“I see,” Cassandra said in such a small voice that Jethro jerked his gaze back to his wife’s face. There was a wistfulness in her expression that made him uncomfortable.

Isn’t this what she expected? She had agreed to a marriage of convenience, nothing more.

And he couldn’t afford to change the conditions of their agreement, even if he was tempted to, as she stood so close to his bedchamber, with that woebegone look in her eyes.

Jethro turned away before she could guess his thoughts and pulled on the bell cord to summon Mrs Timms.

It would be well for him if he did not enter her room again.

They needed to keep their relationship on a business footing. There was no space in his life for distractions. Not even from his wife.

Chapter 7

A lump formed in Cassandra’s throat as the door closed behind her husband. The reality of the bargain she had made sunk in. There was no use pretending. Jethro’s behaviour was disappointing. How could he put her aside so quickly when, just a short while before, he had promised to love and cherish her until they were separated by death?

She inhaled deeply. It was pointless to wish for what could not be. She had agreed to a marriage of convenience, and that was what she’d got. How foolish of her to expect his promise to love her would result in more kindness than simply putting a roof over her head.

It made no difference to the vows she had made. Vows she intended to keep.

With renewed determination, Cassandra fixed a welcoming smile on her lips and turned to greet Mrs Timms. As if being shown around her new home by the housekeeper was what a bride expected on her wedding day.

The woman shot her a look of sympathy, but Cassandra ignored it. Above all, she must be loyal to Jethro. He deserved that from her, at least.

“I can think of no better person to give me a tour of my new home, Mrs Timms. I expect you spend far more hours here than my husband does.”

“Indeed, madam. The master is often out all day long, attending to his business.”

“Perhaps we could start on this floor, seeing as we are already here. How many bedrooms do we have?”

Each chamber was simply furnished, not in the height of fashion, but comfortable enough. The furniture was sparse, but sufficient for guest rooms. Were they used? She was yet to learn of Jethro’s family. Did anyone ever come to stay?

She swept her finger along a mantelpiece and was pleased to find not a trace of dust. “Everything appears to be in excellent order, Mrs Timms. I commend your staff for keeping the house ready for visitors.”

They returned to her chamber, and she could see at once that her room was the exception to the rule. It had been decorated in a more feminine style, with flowers and frills everywhere.