Page 9 of Miss Vincent’s Vow

She was halfway to St Mary’s Church when she heard Julia calling her name. Cassandra sighed with relief as she turned in response. Her stepsister had come at last.

“A momentous day,” Julia said, falling into step beside her.

Cassandra caught her breath, overcome by sudden nervousness. Did her sister know what she was about to do? Would she question her choice?

Her mouth went dry. “Yes.”

“I assume you have found a position and will not be homeless tonight, or are you intending to throw yourself on the new rector’s mercy? Is the man married? Perhaps you should try to catch his eye.”

Cassandra winced at her sister’s crudeness. Too many years of being pampered and put forward had taken their toll, and produced the overly confident and somewhat thoughtless young woman Julia had become.

If only her father had taken a firmer hand, or Cassandra had been allowed to take her stepsister under her influence earlier, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

“Well? I’m waiting. Are you going to tell me or not?”

“I have accepted a position of sorts. I am to be married.”

“Married? That’s a good joke, Cassy. Who would want to marry you, a dowerless grump with more principles than prettiness?”

The heat rushed into Cassandra’s cheeks at her sister’s words. It was painful to acknowledge there was some truth in them, but she thought family was supposed to support you, not rub your shortcomings in your face.

“It will, then, no doubt surprise you I am not joking. And if we don’t hurry, I’ll be late for my own wedding.”

Julia grabbed her arm and held it in a vice-like grip. “You can’t be serious. Who is he?”

“Mr Hunt.”

“What? A merchant! And a dour one at that, who sits in church every Sunday looking as if he would turn the milk sour.”

“I will have you know he is a most respectable man, and a good deal more principled than you. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. Are you coming to my wedding, or not?”

Julia released her grip, but continued to stare at her. “What, now? Consider what you’re doing, Cassy. Marriage is for life. All you need is some employment to keep you going for a few months before Xander returns home. He’ll take care of us.”

“Why do you assume he will come back soon? It’s been two years, Julia, and the war is keeping the Navy busy. We have to face the fact that he might never return home.”

“I refuse to believe it. Don’t marry Mr Hunt. Wait a while longer. I’m sure Mr Barnes would put you up—”

“Are you lost to all sense of propriety? I could not stay with a single man, even if I wanted to. It would be unseemly.”

“Then what about Eugenia? Wasn’t she supposed to look after us?”

“I would rather starve than ask her for help after what she’s done. You don’t blame me for not wanting to rely on her mercy, do you?”

Julia sneered. “No. I do not blame you at all. But surely you can get a position as a companion? I understood that is what you advertised for?”

This was proving as hard as Cassandra had feared. “I did, but I received no responses.”

“Oh. I thought you’d have found something, even if it meant leaving Weymouth.”

“You know I would have hated that.”

“Huh! I wish someone would take me away from this place.”

“Then why did you agree to teach at Miss Seymour’s School?”

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” she said with a shrug. “But it’s not a permanent position. I’m not tied to it for life, but if you marry—”

“He’s a wealthy man, Julia. He can look after you, too. You would not have to work—”