“He saw our mother this morning and she remembered him, only after a little prodding,” Roswell informed her.
“Did she remember you?”
Roswell shook his head. “No, but that wasn’t entirely unexpected.”
“Your mother will always love you, even if her mind is slipping,” Anette said. “You are not the type of person that someone can forget so easily.”
“I hope that is a good thing.”
Anette clasped her hands in front of her. “I meant it as such,” she replied. Her feelings might be conflicted, but that didn’t mean she would ever lie to him.
Roswell placed his hand on her arm and gently turned her to face him. “I wanted to discuss something else. Something that is much more important.”
“As do I,” she replied.
“Do you wish to go first?” Roswell asked.
She pressed her lips together before asking, “Why did you promise Caleb that you wouldn’t pursue me?”
Roswell looked displeased as he glanced at the drawing room window. “I did so to keep you safe,” he said. “I wasn’t ready to tell you the truth about who I was and what I did, and I couldn’t stand the thought of lying to you.”
“You should have told me the truth.”
“I tried to, so many times, but something always stopped me,” he said. “Please tell me that I haven’t lost you.”
Anette stared deep into his eyes. “I am still here, but I am angry with you.”
“I can understand that, and I will spend the remainder of my days making it up to you, assuming you will allow me to.” Roswell reached for her hand and gently encompassed it. “I am not a perfect man, not by any means. But if you could find room in your heart for me, I would be very grateful.” He hesitated. “I love you, Anette. These past few days have confirmed to me what I have always known- that it has always been you.”
She knew she couldn’t stay angry at him, not after what he had just revealed. A broad smile came to her lips. “I feel the same. I have loved you for a long time, long before you kissed me.”
Roswell’s eyes searched hers as he said, “Marry me, and I promise that I will never take you or your love for granted. I will treasure it always.”
She could scarcely contain her joy as she replied, “Yes, I will marry you.”
Roswell leaned closer until his forehead rested against hers. “I can’t imagine a life without you in it and I have decided it would be best if I stopped working as a spy.”
“Is that what you want to do?” Anette asked.
“It is for the best.”
Anette leaned back and waited for him to meet her gaze. “I fell in love with a spy, so it only makes sense for you to remain one.”
Roswell tightened his hold on her hand. “But what I do is dangerous. Are you sure?”
“I just want you to be happy, and if that means you must save England, so be it,” Anette replied. “But whatever happens, you must promise not to keep any secrets from me.”
“I can promise that. Quite frankly, I would promise anything right now.”
Anette leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. “The only promise that I need to hear now is that you will kiss me often,” she whispered against his lips.
“That is the easiest promise I could ever make,” Roswell said before he kissed her. It was a deep kiss, making her feel cherished and loved. Every doubt and apprehension was erased, confirming what she had always wanted to believe: he adored her. Entirely. And she felt the same way about him.
Caleb’s voice came from next to them. “I thought I made myself clear on where I stand on this behavior.”
Roswell went to move away from her, but she held him close. “Leave us, Brother,” she ordered.
“I am not going to do that,” Caleb said.
