Page 125 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

“I’m so glad you could join us for dinner this evening, Julia,” said Cassandra, as they retired to the drawing room, leaving the gentlemen to their wine. She wondered how long Jethro would let Xander and Mr Wade linger before they joined the ladies.

She took a seat on the sofa beside her stepsister. “It’s been an age since we’ve talked.”

“And I’ve not been in this house even longer,” Julia said. “Almost six months—since the day your husband threw out Xander and his friends.”

Cassandra sighed. She had been trying to persuade her sister to come to dinner for ages, and she had hoped her acceptance meant she was willing to forgive Jethro and move on. “Won’t you ever let that go?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

That wasn’t quite the same. “Xander and his friends behaved badly. You know they got what they deserved, don’t you?”

Julia gave a wistful smile. “I’m sure everyone got what they deserved. But it’s hard to forget. That evening will be impressed on my memory forever.”

“Memorable, yes. But can’t you forgive Jethro for his part?”

Julia shrugged. “Why not? As Xander has forgiven him, who am I to hold a grudge? Besides, I can see you’re happy now. Something changed, didn’t it? After the fire.”

Cassandra nodded. She fingered the amethyst and diamond necklace around her neck. The gift she’d once hated because she thought it had been given out of gratitude was now precious to her because of the giver.

“Strange, isn’t it? As a girl, I never dreamed I would get married and then fall in love. It was a surprise to both of us, but we chose to act lovingly—to care for one another—and the feelings followed.”

Julia eyed the jewels enviously. “You fell on your feet, though, didn’t you? Love and money. Who would have thought your Mr Hunt would turn out to have a romantic streak?”

“Not me, for certain.”

“So, are you going to tell me why Mr Wade is here when you promised me a family party tonight?” Julia asked.

Cassandra rubbed the back of her hand across her mouth. Could she trust her sister with the truth? She hoped so.

“It’s not public knowledge, but Mr Wade is family.”

“Is that so? A long-lost uncle?”

“No. A supposed-dead father.”

“Are you serious?”

Cassandra briefly explained the story of Jethro’s parents.

“Oh my. That must have come as a shock. Guess he turned out all right, though, considering his start in life.”

“I reckon he did,” Casandra said, gazing lovingly at her husband as he walked into the room with the other gentlemen. “I thank his mother for that. She made mistakes, but she was a good woman at heart.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Jethro sat down with his father, and their heads were soon bent together.

Cassandra tutted to herself. Talking business again. She’d have words about that with her husband later.

She and her sister moved to sit near Xander, who had slumped down into his normal seat by the fire.

“Found any new beaux, Jules?” he teased.

Julia blushed. “That would be telling. What about you?”

Xander huffed loudly. “Who would look twice at a worn-out wreck of a man like me with nothing more than my Navy pension to live on?”

“What about your prize money?” asked Julia.