Page 66 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

Cassandra cringed. Her brother’s voice was verging on a wail.

“I don’t recommend you try, unless you wish for an equally fickle woman,” Jethro said in a dry tone.

All eyes turned to him.

“That’s not helpful,” Julia said with a scowl.

“It is better she reveals her true nature now, than after you are married,” said Jethro. “If she was in love with you, she would have waited. She found a more attractive offer and went for it. You are well rid of her.”

“Jethro!” Cassandra said, appalled at his lack of sympathy for Xander’s plight. “Have some pity on our brother. His heart is broken, and the wound is raw. It will take time to mend.”

Her husband glanced at Xander, making no attempt to hide his disdain. “If he wishes to weep over what he should be grateful for, so be it. I’ll be in my study.”

And with that, Jethro left the room.

“What a heartless creature you’ve married, Cass,” Xander said, shaking his head from side to side. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to prevent it.”

Her brother’s words fell heavily on her heart. Why did the two most important men in her life seem to hate each other so much?

Tears formed in Cassandra’s eyes and dropped unbidden down her cheeks. Was Jethro as heartless as he appeared?

Xander leaped up. “I’ll teach your husband not to make you cry.”

“No!” Cassandra called, but her brother had gone.

She rose to go after him, but Julia laid a restraining hand on her. “Let the men figure this out.”

Cassandra slumped back into her seat.

Perhaps her sister was right. She hoped they could work it out without drawing blood.

Chapter 35

Jethro slammed the door of his study and dropped into the seat behind his desk. He stared at the papers spread out before him, unseeing, as he tried to bring his temper under control.

He had stormed out of the drawing room, but not fast enough to avoid hearing Alexander’s words.

What a heartless creature you’ve married, Cass. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to prevent it.

Was he as cold-blooded as the captain thought he was? No. He was only stating the truth. Cassandra’s brother would recover much more quickly if he would only embrace the facts.

But did she wish Alexander had prevented their marriage? Was she regretting allying herself to a man who her brother—and maybe Cassandra herself—believed was heartless?

His gaze shot up when the door was flung back, and the captain strode into his room. “How dare you upset my sister?”

Jethro glowered at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ve made your wife cry.”

Cassandra was crying? Was it his fault?

Jethro felt a twinge of guilt, but his jealousy of Alexander outweighed it. Cassandra had sided with her brother over him.

“Are you sure it was me and not you who upset her? You’re the one wailing and pulling on everyone’s heartstrings.”

“Then clearly you don’t have a heart, as you’ve shown not a jot of sympathy toward me.”

“Why should I? You’ve had a blessed escape from a union that could only cause you grief.”