Page 20 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a lady making her way toward them. He didn’t stop to find out who she was. There was no doubt his wife wished to avoid her.

“Are you ready to leave, Cassandra?”

“Yes.”

The abruptness of her response confirmed his suspicions. She had no desire to converse with this woman.

Before the lady could reach them, he whisked Cassandra through the door of the church and out into the fresh sea air.

There were times when an unsociable reputation was useful. No one would think twice about him avoiding conversation.

Jethro tried not to look at Cassandra as they strode down St Mary Street. He had not thought she could appear to such advantage. The sun lightened the blonde tints in her brown hair that peeked out from under her bonnet.

It was dangerous to think of her as attractive as it might tempt him to breach the business arrangement they had—an arrangement he was determined to keep.

Once inside their house, Cassandra turned toward him. She seemed to struggle to find what she wanted to say.

“Thank you,” she spat out.

“For what?”

“Rescuing me from that dreadful woman.”

“Who was it? I didn’t see.”

“Eugenia Wilson. No. Not Wilson anymore”—her face screwed up in contempt—“Frampton. Do you know her?”

Jethro grunted. “As much as I ever want to.” He’d formed his low opinion of the woman the previous December when she’d stirred up trouble for Crowley.

“Her husband is my greatest rival in Weymouth. I don’t care for his wife, but what have you got against her?”

“Her marriage.”

“You can hardly blame her for choosing to marry a wealthy man, and Frampton is a great deal wealthier than me.”

Cassandra bit her lip. “How would you have felt if I had sent you word on Saturday morning that I had changed my mind and did not want to marry you?”

Jethro would not meet her eyes when he answered. “Disappointed. Why? Did you consider it?”

“Yes. Didn’t you?”

“No. I made my decision the moment I read your advert. I couldn’t make you agree, but I somehow felt God was in it, and that you would say yes.”

She tilted her head to one side, a habit of hers that Jethro had noticed. “I had not thought I was an answer to your prayers. I certainly believed you were an answer to mine. But it did not stop me doubting whether I was doing the right thing. It all happened so fast. If I had cried off, it would, perhaps, have been understandable, though I would still have broken my word. But what if we had been engaged for six months, a year, or more?”

“I suppose the longer the engagement, the greater the disappointment.”

The pinched look around Cassandra’s mouth became more pronounced. “I would go further than that and call it a betrayal. Eugenia Frampton is the woman who was betrothed to my brother Alexander before he sailed, just over two years ago. Without warning, she broke off the engagement and married another. Do you not think that is some cause for resentment?”

“Yes, but if she’s fickle, it is better he should know of it before his marriage rather than after. No man wants an unfaithful wife.”

Colour flooded Cassandra’s cheeks. What had he said wrong? It was no more than the truth. But was it improper of him to speak so frankly?

“Forgive me. I did not mean to cause offence.”

“It is no matter. I was just shocked by your blunt assessment of my brother’s situation. I had not thought of it like that before, and I doubt Xander will see it in that light. Regardless, thank you for sparing me from having to talk to Eugenia today. It won’t stop her from speculating about our marriage, but I did not want to face her yet, while I am still growing accustomed to being your wife.”

Something pulled at Jethro’s insides. Was it so hard to adjust to having him as a husband? He supposed it must be. She was used to being around gentlemen, and he was not of her class.