56. Chapter 56

Chapter 56

There was a knock on his study door, and Jethro jumped. How long had he been sitting there, lost in his thoughts? If he wasn’t careful, he would become as melancholy as Alexander.

The knock came again, and he realised he was yet to answer it. “Come.”

Cassandra stuck her head around the door. “Am I disturbing you?”

Jethro assured her she was not and bid her take a seat.

She sat on the edge of the chair and gazed into his face. He could not read her expression, but there was no sign of fear in it, and his spirits revived a little.

“Mr Barnes said I should talk to you.”

“ Gilbert , don’t you mean?” Jethro spat out before he could stop himself.

“Yes, I’m sorry,” she said, dropping her eyes to her lap. “I won’t call him that if it displeases you. We are old friends and—”

This was the moment to challenge her. Did he dare? He had never shied away from tough conversations before Cassandra had entered his life. But could he bear to learn she was in love with someone else?

Yes. He dared. He had to know.

“Is that all?”

She creased her forehead and gave him a quizzical look. “What do you mean? ”

“Is that all you are to each other—friends?”

“I’m married to you.”

“That does not answer my question. It is a fact and says nothing of your feelings.”

He leaned over his desk and lifted her chin with his hand, so she was forced to meet his eyes. “Our marriage was, from the start, one of convenience, but I would like, very much, to know whether another holds your heart. I appreciate I’ve no right to demand an answer, but tell me, would you have married someone else if your circumstances had been different?”

Cassandra’s jaw dropped open, as if his words had taken her by surprise. Jethro tried not to focus on her lips. Kissing had got him into trouble before.

Gradually the corners of her mouth turned up, and she shot him the most delicious smile that almost overcame his resolution to keep his distance.

“You think I’m in love with Gilbert.”

It was not a question.

“Are you?”

“No.”

A huge weight slipped from his shoulders, and Jethro sat up straighter in his chair.

“Is he in love with you?”

“Now, why would you believe that?” she asked, as she bit down on her lip, an accusing glint in her eye.

Jethro grimaced. “I’ve a confession to make.”

She raised her eyebrows at him. “I’m listening.”

“I overheard your conversation—some of it, at least. I’d already warned him away from you once—”

“You did what ? When?”

He sheepishly admitted this wasn’t the first time he had eavesdropped on them.

“I am shocked at you, Jethro Hunt,” she said. “Didn’t your mother ever box your ears for listening at keyholes?”

“No. Only for kissing the chambermaid. That was my worst crime.”

He clamped a hand across his mouth and closed his eyes tight. This couldn’t be happening. He hadn’t meant to say that. It was his most guilty secret, and he had just blurted it out to his wife. What would she think of him now? All his confessions and —

He stopped his ruminations and opened his eyes. Cassandra was laughing. At him, or with him, he wasn’t sure, but either way, it was a pleasant sound, and entirely unexpected.

It was contagious, and he found himself joining in.

“If that is your worst crime, I am a fortunate woman indeed. Though I would rate eavesdropping on other people’s conversations as far more serious. Provided you are not in the habit of kissing the chambermaids,” she added with a laugh.

“Only the one,” Jethro said, “and I got into such trouble for it I never so much of thought about kissing another woman until…”

You. He couldn’t bring himself to say it, not sure how she would react, but if she wanted to, he was certain she would understand what his mouth refused to utter.

A faint blush rose to Cassandra’s cheeks, and he knew she understood.

“Would you care to explain how you jumped to those conclusions?” she asked.

“The words are imprinted on my memory. Mr Barnes talked of having his dreams ripped away from him. And you said you were sorry that another stood in the place that should have been his. He sounded so much like a man in love.”

Cassandra let out a long sigh. “He is—but not with me. More I can’t say, without breaking a confidence. His hopes were ripped away from him because Papa sold the right to appoint his successor. If Gilbert had been made rector as my father had all but promised, he would have possessed the means to marry. I am sorry my own kin treated him so badly.”

Jethro shook his head slowly from side to side. What she said made perfect sense. He should not have doubted his wife’s loyalty.

One nagging question remained. “Why are you afraid of me?”

“Afraid of you?”

“I heard you say it. It’s my husband. I’m so afraid .”

“Oh, Jethro,” she said, throwing him a look of exasperation mixed with sympathy. “Promise me you’ll never eavesdrop again. You overheard only part of what I said—that I’m afraid Xander will ruin everything by having an outburst at Mr Wade’s dinner party.”

“You are afraid for me?”

She nodded. “I asked Gilbert to try to talk Xander out of going, but he failed. My brother remains determined to come.”

“So be it. I’m not sure what Mr Wade hopes to achieve by insisting we invite him, but he knows of his history with Eugenia. Don’t worry about what might transpire between Alexander and that woman. Our part is to deal well with whatever happens.”

“I believe you’re right, and Mr Wade is testing your character by putting you under pressure to see how you react.”

“Then all we have to do is to stay calm, no matter what occurs. Don’t let me down. I’m relying on you to kick me under the table if my tongue runs away with me.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Cassandra.

After she had left the room, Jethro released a contented sigh.

All was well. His wife was not in love with Mr Barnes. And though Cassandra might not be in love with him, if her heart was not already given, he had a chance to win it.

Jethro felt he could take on the world.

Even if that meant facing Mr Wade and the Framptons with Alexander in tow.