Knowing he was still waiting for a response, she said, “I think we both know my thoughts on matrimony.”
“I just want you to be happy,” Roswell said.
“I am happy,” Anette rushed to reply.
Roswell’s lips twitched. “I am glad that you didn’t need to think on that for too long,” he said. “But life is much easier when you have someone along for the journey.”
Anette frowned. “Why does my happiness have to be dependent on finding a husband?” she asked. “I wish everyone would believe me when I say that I am content being on my own.”
“I just don’t want you to have any regrets.”
The way Roswell spoke those words caused her pause. They were filled with untold pain and anguish. “Do you have regrets?” she asked.
“I have far too many,” he admitted. “They eat at my very soul until I wonder if I ever had one to begin with.”
She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of regrets that the younger son of a marquess had, but it was evident that Roswell felt deeply about them.
Placing her hand on his chest, Anette said, “You have the sweetest soul and the kindest heart, and I am blessed to know you.”
His eyes clouded with sadness. “You are wrong about me.”
“I would follow you anywhere, you must know that,” she said softly. Why had she just admitted that?
Roswell brought his hand up and placed it over hers. “Anette, you mean so much to me, but nothing can happen between us.”
Finding strength inside of her that she didn’t realize she had, she asked, “Why not?”
“Your friendship is the most important thing in the world to me, and I can’t lose that, not now,” Roswell replied.
Anette slipped her hand out from under his. “I understand,” she said, taking a step back. She attempted to keep the hurt out of her voice. She didn’t want him to know how much his words had affected her.
“Do you?” Roswell asked, his eyes searching hers. “Because I need to know that you are all right with this.”
No, she wasn’t all right with this. She wanted to be so much more than friends, but he didn’t feel the same. No matter what she did, she would never be good enough for him.
It took everything she had to bring a smile to her lips. “I am. I value your friendship as well.” At least that much was true.
Roswell was looking at her as if her smile were the only thing that could possibly matter to him. “Anette…” His words trailed off as Caleb stepped into the entry hall.
Her brother clasped his hands together. “I have discussed the matter with Mother and Father, and they realized that bringing this to you so suddenly wasn’t the best course of action,” he shared. “But Father is determined for you to wed.”
“I won’t do it,” Anette declared.
Caleb bobbed his head. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I am on your side and I will continue fighting our parents on this.”
Anette let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
As she said her words, her mother approached her and gestured towards the drawing room. “It is time we prepare for our guests.”
“Wonderful,” Anette muttered. “Nothing would make me happier.”
Roswell chuckled. “That wasn’t very convincing,” he teased.
“Don’t encourage her,” her mother chided lightly. “Anette needs a lot of work if she wants to be the perfect hostess.”
“What if I just wish to be an adequate hostess?” Anette joked. “Have I not received sufficient enough training for that?”
“You are hopeless, Child,” her mother stated. “Come along and do not dally.”
