Page 67 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

“And I suppose you know all about that.”

There was something in the man’s tone that set all Jethro’s senses on edge. Had Cassandra told him their marriage was unhappy, or was Alexander passing judgement on his brother-in-law because he disliked him so much?

“Just what are you trying to say?”

“You think I’m blessed to have escaped a miserable marriage, whereas you’ve been caught.”

How dare Alexander talk to him in that way? “There is no comparison. I have no wish to escape my marriage. Cassandra is nothing like Mrs Frampton. She is everything I want in a wife.”

Jethro might as well not have spoken.

“Why did you do it? Why did you marry my sister?”

“I answered her advertisement and made an offer. She accepted. The details are none of your business.”

“I see what it is. You hope to use our family’s gentility to raise your position in society, just like Mr Frampton did in marrying Eugenia. Is that what gave you the idea? Seeing another merchant with a genteel wife?”

The captain was not far from the truth. Jethro had acknowledged as much to Cassandra before they wed. But why did his motives for marriage sound so sordid in her brother’s mouth?

The realisation was unsettling, and the discomfort fuelled his irritation, which simmered just below the surface. If Alexander kept pushing him, Jethro feared his anger would erupt.

“I had my reasons for getting married, and your sister was willing. She is of age. Why does it concern you?”

“Because you took advantage of her.”

Jethro leaped to his feet and leaned menacingly toward the captain. “How dare you talk to me like that? Get out!”

Alexander raised his palm in defence. “I mis-phrased that. I was not suggesting anything untoward. Cassandra has repeatedly assured me you’re a good man, and I believe her—up to a point. Whatever your reasons for marrying—and I don’t think they’re too dissimilar from what I said—you exploited my sister’s precarious situation to secure her hand in marriage.”

Jethro dropped back into his seat, as if he had been winded. Had he taken advantage of Cassandra’s vulnerability? If so, he was a cad, however much he wanted to dress it up with the noble motive of rescuing her from penury.

“Ah, yes. Maybe you are not the perfect gentleman you thought you were.”

Jethro rallied. “If I hadn’t stepped in, she would have been homeless. A situation that would not have arisen if you had made better provision for your sisters. To rely on a woman who was not your wife to provide for them was reckless. Why did you not set aside a fund they could draw on?”

The captain’s colour increased. “It was my intent, but—”

“But you didn’t.”

“No. I thought my father would live longer. He was hale enough two years ago when I left.”

“A poor excuse.”

“Yes, but I’ve no other, and I shall always regret it.”

He winced at the bitterness in Alexander’s voice. Did the captain believe Jethro was such a terrible match for Cassandra? Too bad if he did. There was nothing he could do about it.

“You may regret I married your sister, but I suggest you find a way to cope with it. And I will have to make the best of an over emotional brother-in-law who weeps over a broken heart instead of rejoicing in his lucky escape.”

“Better to have too many emotions than too few. At least I have a heart to break, whilst my poor sister must spend the rest of her life married to a man without one.”

Alexander stormed out of the room, leaving the door wide open.

Jethro pondered his words. The captain thought he was heartless. Did Cassandra believe that too?

Six months ago, perhaps he would have agreed. He had always deemed it more prudent to act on facts, not feelings. Emotions fuddled your thinking and caused you to make irrational decisions. Such principles had not led him astray where business was concerned.

He had carried the same mentality into his marriage. It had been a rational transaction based on his needs and her situation. What was the problem with that?