Page 106 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

“Now, why would you believe that?” she asked, as she bit down on her lip, an accusing glint in her eye.

Jethro grimaced. “I’ve a confession to make.”

She raised her eyebrows at him. “I’m listening.”

“I overheard your conversation—some of it, at least. I’d already warned him away from you once—”

“You did what? When?”

He sheepishly admitted this wasn’t the first time he had eavesdropped on them.

“I am shocked at you, Jethro Hunt,” she said. “Didn’t your mother ever box your ears for listening at keyholes?”

“No. Only for kissing the chambermaid. That was my worst crime.”

He clamped a hand across his mouth and closed his eyes tight. This couldn’t be happening. He hadn’t meant to say that. It was his most guilty secret, and he had just blurted it out to his wife. What would she think of him now? All his confessions and—

He stopped his ruminations and opened his eyes. Cassandra was laughing. At him, or with him, he wasn’t sure, but either way, it was a pleasant sound, and entirely unexpected.

It was contagious, and he found himself joining in.

“If that is your worst crime, I am a fortunate woman indeed. Though I would rate eavesdropping on other people’s conversations as far more serious. Provided you are not in the habit of kissing the chambermaids,” she added with a laugh.

“Only the one,” Jethro said, “and I got into such trouble for it I never so much of thought about kissing another woman until…”

You. He couldn’t bring himself to say it, not sure how she would react, but if she wanted to, he was certain she would understand what his mouth refused to utter.

A faint blush rose to Cassandra’s cheeks, and he knew she understood.

“Would you care to explain how you jumped to those conclusions?” she asked.

“The words are imprinted on my memory. Mr Barnes talked of having his dreams ripped away from him. And you said you were sorry that another stood in the place that should have been his. He sounded so much like a man in love.”

Cassandra let out a long sigh. “He is—but not with me. More I can’t say, without breaking a confidence. His hopes were ripped away from him because Papa sold the right to appoint his successor. If Gilbert had been made rector as my father had all but promised, he would have possessed the means to marry. I am sorry my own kin treated him so badly.”

Jethro shook his head slowly from side to side. What she said made perfect sense. He should not have doubted his wife’s loyalty.

One nagging question remained. “Why are you afraid of me?”

“Afraid of you?”

“I heard you say it. It’s my husband. I’m so afraid.”

“Oh, Jethro,” she said, throwing him a look of exasperation mixed with sympathy. “Promise me you’ll never eavesdrop again. You overheard only part of what I said—that I’m afraid Xander will ruin everything by having an outburst at Mr Wade’s dinner party.”

“You are afraid for me?”

She nodded. “I asked Gilbert to try to talk Xander out of going, but he failed. My brother remains determined to come.”

“So be it. I’m not sure what Mr Wade hopes to achieve by insisting we invite him, but he knows of his history with Eugenia. Don’t worry about what might transpire between Alexander and that woman. Our part is to deal well with whatever happens.”

“I believe you’re right, and Mr Wade is testing your character by putting you under pressure to see how you react.”

“Then all we have to do is to stay calm, no matter what occurs. Don’t let me down. I’m relying on you to kick me under the table if my tongue runs away with me.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Cassandra.

After she had left the room, Jethro released a contented sigh.