34. Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Dinner was a sombre affair, with little talk beyond what was necessary. Xander was uncharacteristically quiet, still dealing with the shock of discovering Eugenia’s betrayal, and Jethro did nothing to help Cassandra carry the conversation.

It was therefore something of a relief when Julia’s arrival was announced a short while after they had retired to the drawing room. She had declined the invitation to join them earlier, but had agreed to come for supper.

Cassandra was surprised, but pleased, that her sister’s desire to see Xander was sufficient to overcome her usual reluctance to enter the house when Jethro was at home.

As soon as Julia arrived, Cassandra hurried over to her and explained in a lowered voice that Xander had only just learned of Eugenia’s marriage.

Julia’s eyes grew wide, as surprised as her sister that the news had failed to reach him, but she gave a nod of understanding before crossing the room to Xander. With a complete lack of restraint, she threw herself into her stepbrother’s arms in much the same way that Cassandra had done earlier.

“It is so good to see you, Xander. How I’ve missed you. ”

“And I you, Jules.”

“Well,” she said, taking the seat on the sofa beside her brother and examining the drawing room. “You’ve executed your plans to perfection, Cassy. That carpenter you found has excelled himself. When I have a home of my own to furnish, I will be sure to use him. And the material on these sofas has worked out even better than I imagined.”

She turned to Jethro. “This is what a fashionable drawing room should look like. I hope you approve.”

He gave a curt nod, and Julia returned her attention to Xander, who seemed, momentarily, to have forgotten his woes in the joy of seeing his sister again.

“I never thought to see you working in a school, Jules. I can’t imagine how you ever learned enough to teach.”

Julia twitted his knuckles with her fan.

“I’m glad I could prove you wrong. Miss Seymour is so impressed with my French and Italian that I’m teaching all the senior pupils their languages. If I’m a little rusty on my geography, no one cares, as that’s Lucy’s favourite subject.”

“Who’s Lucy?” asked Xander.

“The other teacher at the school. We’re the best of friends.”

Cassandra was aware of a brief pang of envy. She’d known Miss Day for some time, but wasn’t on first-name terms with her. It seemed that Julia had befriended her fellow teacher, rather than her sister, and was already on an intimate footing with her.

It was disappointing. Cassandra could have done with Julia’s friendship, but perhaps she’d been too much of a mother to her to be accepted as a sister.

“But enough of me,” said Julia. “How much prize money have you made, Xander? Though I’m enjoying teaching at present, I’m sure the novelty will soon wear off, and I have no intention of spending the rest of my life educating young minds.”

Cassandra’s chest tightened as she warded off the embarrassment and, she admitted, a sense of failure. She’d tried to share her godly principles with Julia, but such a speech declared to the entire room that she had failed.

Jethro’s brow contracted into a frown. He was as little impressed by her sister’s question as she was.

“All in good time, my darling sister,” Xander said. “To capture a ship is only part of the process. It will be months before I see the profits of my endeavours.”

Julia’s eyes lit up. “But you have captured one or two? ”

He nodded. “Three, but there were other vessels involved, and the Admiralty has to decide our shares, which can take ages. Until then, I fear you must keep teaching. Unless you’d rather follow Cassandra’s path and get married?”

A look of such disdain descended over her sister’s face that Cassandra winced.

“I intend only to marry for love,” Julia said.

Xander’s eyes clouded over. “A dangerous move. Make sure the object of your affections is worthy, or you will end up with a broken heart, like me.”

“Oh, Xander. I’m so sorry. We both are,” said Julia, squeezing his hand and looking at her sister for support.

“You will rally, brother,” Cassandra said. “Not all women are as faithless as Eugenia.”

“Don’t talk of her like that!” Xander snapped.

“How can you defend her?” she replied incredulously. “She left you for another.”

“He must have cast out lures to her. Tempted her to break her promise to me. She would never have deserted me otherwise.”

“I’m sure it was like that,” Julia said in a soothing manner, rubbing the back of his hand.

“How will I ever find her equal?”

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.