Epilogue

Four months later

“I’m so glad you could join us for dinner this evening, Julia,” said Cassandra, as they retired to the drawing room, leaving the gentlemen to their wine. She wondered how long Jethro would let Xander and Mr Wade linger before they joined the ladies.

She took a seat on the sofa beside her stepsister. “It’s been an age since we’ve talked.”

“And I’ve not been in this house even longer,” Julia said. “Almost six months—since the day your husband threw out Xander and his friends.”

Cassandra sighed. She had been trying to persuade her sister to come to dinner for ages, and she had hoped her acceptance meant she was willing to forgive Jethro and move on. “Won’t you ever let that go?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

That wasn’t quite the same. “Xander and his friends behaved badly. You know they got what they deserved, don’t you?”

Julia gave a wistful smile. “I’m sure everyone got what they deserved. But it’s hard to forget. That evening will be impressed on my memory forever.”

“Memorable, yes. But can’t you forgive Jethro for his part? ”

Julia shrugged. “Why not? As Xander has forgiven him, who am I to hold a grudge? Besides, I can see you’re happy now. Something changed, didn’t it? After the fire.”

Cassandra nodded. She fingered the amethyst and diamond necklace around her neck. The gift she’d once hated because she thought it had been given out of gratitude was now precious to her because of the giver.

“Strange, isn’t it? As a girl, I never dreamed I would get married and then fall in love. It was a surprise to both of us, but we chose to act lovingly—to care for one another—and the feelings followed.”

Julia eyed the jewels enviously. “You fell on your feet, though, didn’t you? Love and money. Who would have thought your Mr Hunt would turn out to have a romantic streak?”

“Not me, for certain.”

“So, are you going to tell me why Mr Wade is here when you promised me a family party tonight?” Julia asked.

Cassandra rubbed the back of her hand across her mouth. Could she trust her sister with the truth? She hoped so.

“It’s not public knowledge, but Mr Wade is family.”

“Is that so? A long-lost uncle?”

“No. A supposed-dead father.”

“Are you serious?”

Cassandra briefly explained the story of Jethro’s parents.

“Oh my. That must have come as a shock. Guess he turned out all right, though, considering his start in life.”

“I reckon he did,” Casandra said, gazing lovingly at her husband as he walked into the room with the other gentlemen. “I thank his mother for that. She made mistakes, but she was a good woman at heart.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Jethro sat down with his father, and their heads were soon bent together.

Cassandra tutted to herself. Talking business again. She’d have words about that with her husband later.

She and her sister moved to sit near Xander, who had slumped down into his normal seat by the fire.

“Found any new beaux, Jules?” he teased.

Julia blushed. “That would be telling. What about you?”

Xander huffed loudly. “Who would look twice at a worn-out wreck of a man like me with nothing more than my Navy pension to live on?”

“What about your prize money?” asked Julia.

“Still no news. It could be months yet before I see a penny. ”

“But the ladies used to flock around you,” said Cassandra. “Don’t tell me your injury has stolen all your charm.”

“No amount of charm can take away this,” he said, slapping his injured leg, though it made him wince. “I feel so useless. Like an old man, hobbling along with a wretched stick. I doubt I’ll ever be able to dance again. Just to be free of pain would be something.”

“It may yet improve,” said Cassandra, trying to encourage him.

“Keen to be rid of your lodger? I don’t blame you. Who wants a grumpy brother in the house when they’re going around cooing like a pair of turtle doves?”

Cassandra leaned over and squeezed his hand. “You are welcome to stay with us for as long as you need. And don’t be so quick to dismiss love.” She glanced over at Jethro and smiled to herself. “Love is a strange thing.”

“Huh! I can’t disagree with you. If Hunt can fall in love, anything’s possible.”

“Now, how about a cup of tea?” she asked, rising from her seat.

As she stood up, the room swayed. Lights flickered in front of her eyes. She raised a hand to her forehead. Was she going to…?

Jethro was watching Cassandra, admiring his wife from a distance and wondering how fast he could persuade their guests to leave, so he could have her to himself again. He saw her wobble and rushed forward when she began to fall.

His arms came around her before she hit the ground, and he lifted her onto the chaise longue.

“Ring for her maid. Tell her to bring smelling salts.”

Jethro knelt beside her, stroking her hand, while the others looked on in concern.

A few moments later, Mary Ann hurried into the room with the vinaigrette. As she waved it under Cassandra’s nose, his wife blinked and then opened her eyes.

“Did I swoon? How very odd.”

“You better pour the tea, Jules,” said Xander. “A cup of tea is Cassy’s answer to everything.”

Julia glanced over at Jethro, who nodded his approval. He didn’t want Cassandra to get up and risk fainting again .

He slipped his arm behind his wife’s back and gently eased her into a sitting position. He passed her the cup of tea Julia had poured her, and she took a sip.

She wrinkled her nose in displeasure. “Oh no. I think this batch of tea is bad. It tastes awful.”

Julia filled a cup for Xander, and he drank some.

“Tastes fine to me,” he said.

Jethro trailed his fingers over Cassandra’s forehead. “You must be unwell, my dear. I’ll send for the doctor.”

Her cheeks, which had been rather pale, turned a deep pink. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

Julia glared at Jethro, hands on hips. “I hold you to blame for this.”

His eyes grew wide. What had he done now? He knew she didn’t like him much, but it wasn’t fair to accuse him of making his wife ill.

“Julia! Stop teasing,” his wife said, but she was grinning at her sister, not scowling.

Jethro didn’t understand. Was he missing the joke?

“She’s increasing,” said Julia.

“Increasing?”

“In a delicate condition. In the family way.”

“You mean?”

Cassandra looked shyly up at him and nodded. “I wanted to leave it a little longer, just to make sure,” she said, glaring up at her sister, “but there’s no denying it now. I’m expecting our first baby.”

Jethro didn’t know whether he was standing on his hands or his heels. He was going to be a father.

“I’ll send for the doctor at once. You must rest. I—”

“A grandchild on the way?” Mr Wade asked in awed accents. “Please, let me be there for your boy.”

“God might give us a girl,” Cassandra said, her eyes twinkling up at Jethro’s father.

“Boy or girl—I don’t care. If you won’t permit me to be a grandparent in the regular manner, allow me to stand as their godfather. Please.”

Whether it was the desperation in his voice or the gentleness in his expression, Jethro knew he could not refuse his request.

His eyes welled up as he glanced at Cassandra, who nodded in agreement, and then he turned back to his father. “We would like that.”

Using his wife’s condition as an excuse, Jethro sent his visitors away as soon as they’d finished their tea, and they retired for the night.

He sat down on his bed and pulled her down beside him. “When were you going to tell me?”

She tilted her head to one side, in the way he found so adorable. “Tonight. Are you pleased?”

“Ecstatic—though somewhat overwhelmed.”

“I’m delighted you’ve agreed to let your father be part of our child’s life. We have a lot to thank him for. If you hadn’t wanted to impress him, you would never have married me.”

“What a dreadful thought,” Jethro said. “I love you, Cassandra, and I’m so glad I married you.”

“I’m glad I married you, too.”

“You do remember you vowed to love me?”

“I do,” she said, kissing him on the nose.

“And you vowed to obey me?”

“Yes.”

He pulled Cassandra close to him and cupped her face with his hands.

“Kiss me,” he whispered in her ear.

And she did.