Why was he having such a reaction to Kendrick’s name being mentioned? She felt as if she had overstepped her bounds and decided it would be best to drop it.
“Oh, I was just curious,” Anette said, looking away as an orchestra started playing in the distance. “Forget I said anything.”
“It is forgotten.”
“We should hurry if we want to see the cascade be turned on,” Anette said, hoping the change of conversation would allow Roswell to relax.
But it didn’t seem to work.
They passed by a fountain that was illuminated with colorful lights and Anette wished that she could go back in time and not have her curiosity get the best of her.
Roswell spoke up. “I apologize for my poor reaction, but Kendrick is a part of my life that I do not wish to discuss.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” she said. “You live your life and I live mine. I should never have pried into yours.”
“That is most gracious of you.”
Anette fidgeted with the reticule that was tied around her right wrist. She did have one more question that she wished to ask. “Does my brother truly waste his days drinking at his club?”
Roswell met her gaze. “Why do you ask?”
“I just find it odd that he spends so much time at White’s when he isn’t much of a drinker,” Anette said.
“We don’t just drink at White’s.”
“I know, but my brother has always been so pragmatic,” she remarked. “It just seems to go against his character.”
“Have you spoken to Caleb about this?”
Anette shook her head. “I have not, but I don’t think it would matter. He is a very private person when it comes to where he goes during the day.”
“Then you should respect his privacy.”
“I wouldn’t be a very good sister if I did,” Anette said. “What if he is involved in something sinister?”
“Caleb? Involved in something sinister?” Roswell chuckled.
She felt herself relax, realizing how utterly preposterous she sounded. “I couldn’t even say that with a straight face,” she admitted.
“I know your brother very well, and I can confirm that he is not involved in anything nefarious.”
A firework burst in the air, illuminating the gardens. Everyone looked up to the dark night sky, mesmerized by the colorful explosion.
Roswell leaned closer and said, “I think we lost your brother and Octavia.”
“We can look for them after the fireworks display is over.”
He remained close and she caught the familiar smell of his shaving soap that she knew so well. It was her favorite smell, bringing back such fond memories.
Anette made the mistake of turning her head towards him, making their faces just inches apart. It would take such little effort to press her lips to his, but she knew that it would be a mistake. So why hadn’t she moved away?
“I think we should go,” she breathed.
“Go where?” he asked.
“To find Caleb and Octavia,” she replied. Was it her imagination or did his voice seem hoarse?
“They will be fine,” he said, making no attempt at creating more distance between them.
