Page 12 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

“How would you like me to address you? Do you wish me to call you Mr Hunt or would you prefer to be on a first-name basis?”

Jethro had to confess the thought had not crossed his mind. What did married couples usually do? He didn’t know.

“What is your preference?”

Cassandra tilted her head to one side as she returned his gaze. “I should like to call you Jethro, if that is acceptable, though I will, of course, refer to you as Mr Hunt when the occasion merits it.”

“Then I shall call you Cassandra.”

She nodded. “And now, perhaps you would be so good as to explain to me in more detail what you require of me?”

Jethro felt the heat rising under his collar. Was this when they were supposed to talk about sleeping arrangements?

“We made a business deal, Mr…Jethro. You have provided me with a roof over my head and the respectability of being married to an upright man. What is it you want from me? How may I best fulfil my side of the bargain?”

“I admire your straight talking. I mentioned, I believe, my wish to wed a gentlewoman.”

She nodded again.

“I am a proud man. It can be the very worst of sins, but I believe it is right to take pride in what you have achieved. Be under no illusions. I started with nothing. I was brought up by my mother, and though there was provision for my education in what came from my father, that was all. I was fortunate to catch the eye of a London banker—a Mr Wade. You may have heard of him. He invested in my business and from a humble start, it is what it is today. To expand my firm, I require further capital—capital I need Mr Wade to supply.”

“Is there any reason to suppose he will not?”

“I hope not. Though he has provided the finance for my business for many years, we have never met. My solicitor, Mr Curtis, manages any necessary correspondence, and a month ago, he informed me of Mr Wade’s intention to visit me in May.”

Jethro paused. “He also expressed a wish for me to introduce him into Weymouth society—and to meet my wife.”

Cassandra’s eyes grew wide. “Surely, you did not seek a bride just for the sake of a meeting with your business investor?”

Jethro rubbed the back of his neck, and he met her incredulous look with a blank stare of his own. It sounded ridiculous when she said it like that, but she couldn’t know what a huge challenge this was for him.

“I fear Mr Wade believes me to be more of a gentleman than I am. Though I have amassed considerable wealth, I dislike society and have avoided it as much as possible. Until now.”

“I see. And you wish me to smooth your path, to please your investor?”

Jethro tried to ignore the expression of—what? Incredulity? Disdain? He wasn’t sure. “Yes. I have never entertained at home, and have no notion what is expected of me. I do not find it easy to move in society. It is not the sphere into which I was born, and I fear my manners are too brusque to be generally pleasing. I need help to overcome these difficulties.”

“From your wife.”

“Yes—from my wife.”

“I will do my best.”

“I am pleased to see you bought a new dress to wear today.”

“It was most kind of you to think of it.”

“You will, I hope, find your allowance sufficient for your needs, but if it is not, please do not hesitate to mention the matter.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope you’ll be happy here, Cassandra. And now I will put you into Mrs Timms’s capable hands and return to my work.”

She arched her brow, questioning him with her eyes. “What about your manager? Can’t you leave Mr Crowley in charge and give me a tour of the house yourself?”

“I regret that won’t be possible. There is a ship in this afternoon, and I am needed down at the harbour.”

She pressed her lips tightly together, as if repressing some emotion. “I see. At least show me where my room is before you go.”