39. Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The walk to church that morning had to rank as one of the most uncomfortable in Cassandra’s life. With Xander on her left side, and Jethro on her right, both men insisted on addressing her, but ignoring each other. She was thankful they lived so near to St Mary’s that she did not have to endure it for long.

After the service, her brother commandeered her arm and hustled her out of the building before anyone could engage them in conversation, leaving her husband behind.

As Xander led her into the graveyard, Cassandra heaved a sigh of relief. Thank goodness he was set on avoiding another altercation with Eugenia. She couldn’t bear the thought of having to make more excuses for her brother’s behaviour to Jethro.

She glanced back at the church and noticed her husband had followed them and was standing at a distance, watching her. Was he coming to join them? Was it wrong of her to hope that he wouldn’t? She was not sure she could cope with them continuing their feud at her parents’ graveside.

Her concern must have shown on her face. With a brief nod, Jethro walked away.

Cassandra turned back to her brother, who stared at their father’s grave.

“So, this is where the gaffer is laid to rest,” Xander said, staring at the newer of the two headstones. “It’s rather plain, isn’t it? ”

“Father wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. As far as he was concerned, there was no need to mark the resting place of his bones at all, as he knew his spirit would be in heaven.”

“Do you believe that, Cassy?”

“Of course, don’t you?”

Xander shrugged. “I don’t know.”

She screwed up her eyes in concern. “Shouldn’t you find out? What if you were to die at sea? It would be too late then to work out what you believe.”

“There’s plenty of time for that,” he said with a huff, offering her his arm for the walk home. “If I took religion seriously, I would have to reform my behaviour, and where would the fun be in that?”

Cassandra despaired of her brother’s attitude. What had happened to the faith-filled youth he had been before he went to sea? Had his time on board ship changed his entire outlook on life or had Eugenia’s desertion robbed him of more than his heart?

Taking his arm, they made their way out of the graveyard. She could not let his words go unchallenged.

“Is that—”

She broke off, a lump forming in her throat. The man in the green jacket was there again, leaning on the wall separating the churchyard from the street, watching them.

After walking for a few minutes, Cassandra glanced back over her shoulder. To her relief, she saw they were not being followed. Now she could finish what she wanted to say. Though she doubted it would do any good to scold him, she had to try to guide Xander onto a better path.

“Is that what it is all about to you these days? Having fun? Don’t you care if you hurt people?”

“What are you getting at, Cassy?”

“The way you treat Jethro. It’s unkind.”

“The man’s got such a thick skin I doubt anything I say could upset him.”

Was her brother right? His behaviour annoyed Jethro—she would have to be blind not to see that—but how deeply did it affect her husband? It was hard to tell. He batted away Xander’s insolence like an irritating wasp, but she didn’t think he’d been stung.

Whereas she had, over and over, every time Xander mocked Jethro.

“I’m not talking about my husband’s feelings—I’m talking about mine. When you make derogatory remarks about him, it upsets me.”

“I don’t mean to hurt you, Cassy, but the man’s insufferable. ”

“How can you say that? He’s shown you nothing but kindness, sharing his home with you.”

“Oh yes. The man is kind, if that’s your notion of kindness. But he treats my broken heart as if it was of no consequence, and I don’t see him oozing with affection for you. A tepid peck on the cheek is not how I’d greet my bride—if I had one.”

Cassandra recalled the kiss Jethro had given her that morning, and the corners of her mouth tilted upward. It might not seem much to Xander, but it meant something to her. It was the first time her husband had kissed her when her brother had not been there to witness it.

“Not everyone chooses to display their affections in public,” she said. “It is not proper that they should, though you appear to have forgotten what is acceptable in polite society. It would not go amiss if you showed a mite more reserve.”

“Ugh! You sound like that cold-hearted husband of yours.”

The accusation hurt, but Cassandra did not retaliate, hoping Xander would heed her advice.

A moment later, he doffed his hat to her with mock solemnity. “I am duly chastised, and will endeavour to keep my feelings to myself in future.”

She wished, rather than believed, he was speaking the truth, because if her brother toned down his criticism of Jethro, it would be beneficial to them all.

And if he didn’t, there would be no peace in their home until Xander returned to sea.