Page 69 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

To her dismay, her husband rose to his feet. Was he leaving already?

“There is no use arguing. We are each entitled to our opinions. I hope you will believe me when I deny your brother’s accusations that I begrudge the cost of your redecorations.”

He glanced at Xander. “I can afford to support those dependent on me—unlike some people.”

Jethro leaned over, and—to her complete surprise—he kissed her cheek. “I’ll take my coffee in my study. I’m sure you two will have a more entertaining conversation without me.”

Cassandra lifted a hand to where his lips had touched her skin, her heart fluttering at the unanticipated attention, but her pleasure dissipated when she caught the glare Jethro shot her brother before leaving the room.

Perhaps the kiss had not been a show of affection, but a way to seal his victory in a minor skirmish in the ongoing battle being fought between the two men.

Once Jethro had left, Cassandra rounded on Xander.

“Why did you have to provoke him? My husband has provided for me admirably and doesn’t deserve your scorn. It is beneath you.”

“But it is acceptable for him to mock me? He waves away my disappointment as if it was nothing.”

“He means well.”

“Does he? Has he made you happy?”

“He has put a roof over my head, which is more than you did.”

“That’s right. Blame Xander for everything—why not?”

“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

“But true. You needed somewhere to live, but you didn’t have to marry, did you? You could have found employment like Julia.”

“No one else responded to my advertisement, but why do you think I would have chosen differently even if they had? Why would I become an old lady’s companion rather than accept the only marriage proposal I’ve ever received? I chose to marry Jethro—and I don’t regret it.”

“Your sentiments are laudable, but you’re only fooling yourself. How could you not rue marrying such a—”

“I don’t regret it.”

Xander wrinkled up his nose in distaste. “Now that, I can’t pretend to understand. A life without love might be less painful, but it’s cold. Very cold indeed.”

His words made Cassandra shudder. Was her life as bleak as her brother painted it?

“I need a drink,” he said, rising from his seat. “My heart is broken, though you seem to have forgotten it, and I shall console myself at the Golden Lion, as I will not get any sympathy here.”

Cassandra knew she ought to stop him, but she let him go. She had received enough unhelpful comments about her marriage for one evening.

And she had much to ponder.

Had she meant what she said? That she didn’t regret marrying Jethro, or had she spoken out of duty?

Because the future happiness of her marriage might just hang on her answer.

Chapter 37

On Sunday, Jethro made a point of leaving early for the church service—without his wife or her quarrelsome brother. His forbearance had been pushed over the limit more times than he cared to mention since Alexander’s arrival, and he didn’t think the man’s company, even for the short walk to St Mary’s, was conducive to preparing him for morning worship.

Jethro entered the coolness of the church building and sat down in his box pew alone. Falling to his knees, he prayed for more patience and self-control. If God did not answer his plea, the next few weeks were going to be extremely hard work.

He was still kneeling in prayer when Cassandra and Alexander arrived. The captain shot him a supercilious glance when he entered the pew, as if he doubted the sincerity of Jethro’s devotion. Fortunately, his wife had the good sense to seat herself between them.

Julia slipped in beside her brother, just before the curate took his place at the lectern to read the opening liturgy. That was a surprise. She did not make a habit of attending church often, and when she did, she sat with her students and fellow teachers. Miss Seymour must have given her a special dispensation to sit with them while Alexander was home on leave.