Octavia laughed. “My mother was always so angry that Roswell took me on a ride, despite it being early morning,” she revealed. “No one ever saw us, but that meant little to my mother. She was always about propriety.”
Lady Oxley’s voice came from the doorway. “And that is why your mother and I got along so well,” she said. “There is no room for error when you are in Town for the Season.”
“It was a much simpler time,” Octavia remarked.
Anette went and looped her arm through Octavia’s. “I think a ride through Hyde Park would be just the thing that we need,” she said. “Isn’t that right, Roswell?”
Botheration. Why did this keep happening to him? It was as if the universe were trying to bring him and Anette together.
But he didn’t dare refuse his sister, or Anette.
“I think a ride through Hyde Park sounds perfect,” Roswell said through gritted teeth.
Anette dropped her arm but remained close to Octavia. “I had the cook prepare your favorite pudding.”
“That was most kind of you,” Octavia stated.
She turned her gaze towards Roswell. “And I requested the artichoke soup to be served this evening for our first course.”
Roswell was touched that Anette had remembered his favorite soup. It was the one that his mother always made for him when he was ill.
“Thank you,” he said.
Anette acknowledged his words with the tip of her head. “I know your mother can’t be here this evening, but that doesn’t mean we can’t honor her in other ways.”
Roswell didn’t think he could love Anette any more than he already did, but he was wrong; every day, he found himself loving her more deeply all over again.
Anette had just sat down at the dining table when Roswell claimed the seat next to her. Drats. She had been hoping that he would sit far away from her. Instead, she would be forced to endure an entire meal with him.
She was trying to appear indifferent to him, but she was failing, miserably. He only wanted to be friends with her- nothing more- but could she accept that? She wished she could, but inside, her heart was breaking with every word and glance they shared.
Caleb spoke up from the other side of the table. “Where is Father?” he asked.
“He is running late, but he wanted us to start dinner without him,” their mother informed the group.
As if right on cue, Anette’s father stepped into the room. “I apologize for being late,” he said. “I had some work that I had to see to.”
“What kind of work?” Caleb pressed.
Her father took his place at the head of the table as he replied, “Just some odds and ends that needed my attention.”
“Was it for our country estate?”
“No, it was something else,” her father responded dismissively. “I would prefer to discuss something else.”
Caleb looked displeased by their father’s response. “What would you care to discuss?” he asked curtly.
Anette didn’t quite understand why her brother was being so gruff with their father. Why did it matter what work that he had to see to? He was here now, wasn’t he?
Her father leaned to the side as a footman placed a bowl of soup in front of him. “I understand that everyone is going to Vauxhall Gardens this evening.”
“We are,” Anette confirmed.
“Lovely,” her father said. “I hope the weather cooperates. It looks like it might rain this evening.”
Anette smiled as she pointed out, “It always rains.”
Her father chuckled. “That it does. I do hope that you take an umbrella with you.” He took a sip of his soup. “This artichoke soup is delicious.”
