Page 62 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

“Where’s Julia?” Alexander asked.

“At work. She couldn’t arrange time off to meet you, because we weren’t sure when you would arrive. It was the merest chance you met Jethro and I out walking this morning. It is not our normal routine, I can assure you.”

The captain jerked his head around and glared at him before turning his attention back to his sister. “And why not? You should walk along here every day. It does a person good to watch the waves. There is something timeless about the sea that warms a man’s soul.”

“I know what you mean. I couldn’t face the thought of living anywhere else.”

Jethro supposed he should be thankful. No doubt, if she had been willing to leave Weymouth, she would easily have secured a role as a companion. She would not have needed to marry him.

“I’ll send word to Julia,” said Cassandra. “Perhaps she’ll be able to join us for dinner.”

Jethro doubted it. Her sister had not dined with them once since their marriage. Cassandra had never said as much, but he thought it was because Julia disapproved of him. It seemed she had that in common with her stepbrother.

He hoped they would not poison his wife’s thoughts against him more than they already were.

“Some officers I serve with are due to join me in Weymouth while my ship is being refitted. I’ve promised to show them my hometown. You’ll like them. A merrier bunch of fellows you’d be hard pushed to find. Or a more good-looking one,” he said with a nudge. “They’ll bring a bit of animation back to your face.”

“I’m sure Jethro and I will be pleased to meet any friends of yours.”

“Ah yes. I remember. You’re a married woman now.”

Jethro trailed behind them, an unwelcome third, as they talked non-stop, interrupted from time to time by an exclamation or a raucous burst of laughter from the captain.

He shuddered. It was going to be a long six weeks with this man in his home,

At least Alexander would be gone before Mr Wade came to town, now that his investor wasn’t coming until July. It would be challenge enough to move confidently in the society that still felt so alien to him without his aggravating brother-in-law disturbing his peace and commandeering his wife’s time.

Aware his irritation was rising, and he might say something cutting if he stayed, Jethro decided to leave Cassandra and her brother to their reunion. The warehouse was a haven, where he could lose himself in his work, and quell the feelings of inadequacy that bubbled up inside him at the captain’s thinly veiled hostility.

When they reached the house, he held back.

At last Cassandra turned her attention to him. “Aren’t you coming in?”

“No. I’m going to the warehouse. I have business to attend to.”

“I understood from what you said you were free this morning. Won’t you join us?”

“No. I had thought I didn’t need to work, but I made a mistake. I’m sure you and your brother will do very well without me.”

With a brief bow, he hurried down the street toward the harbour.

Jethro refused to glance back. He couldn’t bear seeing the delight on his wife’s face—a look he had failed to produce. He was clearly lacking.

If Alexander could make her that happy, he owed it to her to let her enjoy his company without his disruptive presence.

He would leave them to it. Six weeks was not a lifetime.

Jethro just hoped the captain would not have turned his wife completely against him by the end of it.

Chapter 33

Cassandra’s smile dimmed as Jethro disappeared around the corner. The timing of her brother’s arrival was most unfortunate. Her husband had made an effort to spend time with her, and she had deserted him the instant Xander turned up.

Her brother had not helped matters by greeting Jethro so coldly. Why had he taken her husband in such dislike on sight? She didn’t know, but she had sensed the friction between them all the way back to the house.

Xander had held her arm so firmly at his side that it would have been difficult to let Jethro take the other. Not that he had tried to do so. His overture of friendship to her brother had been rejected, and he had withdrawn. From Xander and from her.

Her brother made no reference to Jethro’s departure, but turned his attention to their home.