Page 73 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

Jethro bit back his irritation. He must not give Cassandra more reason to be disappointed with him.

“Do you plan to attend the service at St Mary’s this morning?” she asked her brother.

The captain said nothing. His eyes dipped as he sipped his coffee and put down his cup. He met Cassandra’s gaze, a brow raised.

“Aren’t you ready to face Eugenia again yet?

Alexander snorted. “Will I ever be ready?”

“I know it’s hard—”

He cast Jethro a scornful glance. “I’m glad someone realises that.”

Cassandra pursed her lips and frowned. “Will you come with me to church or not?”

Jethro could hear the exasperation in her tone, and despite being annoyed with Alexander for upsetting her, he was somewhat appeased that Cassandra’s frustration was not with him alone.

It seemed unlikely her brother would respond as she wanted, and though Jethro knew she had not directed the question at him, he hurried to answer in the affirmative, eager to secure his wife’s company for himself.

Unfortunately, at the same moment, Alexander also said yes.

Bother the man. Was the captain determined to come between him and his wife?

Jethro could feel the hold on his temper weakening.

He’d better leave Cassandra to her brother’s care, rather than risk another clash.

He was about to excuse himself, to walk to St Mary’s ahead of the others, when he noticed Alexander staring down his nose at him, waiting for him to back down.

The man’s arrogant expectation galled Jethro, and putting aside his better judgement, he said nothing.

“If it is important to you, Cassy, I’ll come.” He cast a casual glance in Jethro’s direction. “Don’t allow us to keep you from your devotions. You need not delay your departure on our account. I can take care of my sister.”

Jethro refused to let Alexander intimidate him. “Thank you, but it is no inconvenience to me. Accompanying my wife to church is not a pleasure I wish to forego.”

Cassandra shot him a weak smile, which left Jethro uncertain what she thought of his sudden show of chivalry. Was she pleased, or did she question his motives?

She turned her attention back to her brother. “Perhaps after the service you would like to visit father’s gravestone.”

“Given your dire circumstances, I’m surprised there’s a headstone to view. How did you afford that? Or did he pay for it?” Alexander asked, casting a disdainful look in Jethro’s direction.

“It would have been an honour to have done so,” Jethro said, willing himself to stay calm, “but as Mr Vincent was buried some months before we married, the question never arose.”

“Then who paid for it? Not the old curate, surely?”

“Old? How can you call Mr Barnes old when he’s only two years your senior?”

Jethro fought to keep the scowl off his face. Alexander had spoken in a derogatory tone, and it was natural that Cassandra should leap to the curate’s defence. It meant nothing.

“There were many who wanted to honour our father’s memory, as the past rector of St Mary’s,” she said. “A collection was made which covered the headstone and engraving.”

“Arranged by your Mr Barnes.”

Jethro’s stomach clenched as Cassandra’s cheeks turned red. Did Alexander believe an attachment existed between his sister and the curate? His wife’s embarrassment seemed to confirm it.

She shot her brother such a fierce look that he roared with laughter.

When he had finished guffawing, she spoke again. “He is not my Mr Barnes, and I would thank you to remember that.”