“Wonderful,” Caleb declared. “Anette will enjoy spending some time with Octavia.”
He retreated to his thoughts as he tried to prepare himself for seeing Anette this evening. The more time he spent in her presence, the harder it seemed to maintain a façade of composure around her beauty and charm. Yet he was determined not to let his resolve waver. There was too much at stake.
Anette sat in the darkened coach as it traveled to the Opera House. She had taken extra care on her appearance tonight when she heard that Roswell would be in attendance. Why couldn’t she just banish him from her thoughts and move on?
But she already knew why.
Her heart would always irrevocably belong to him.
How fair was it that he had toyed with her emotions by kissing her if he had no intention of pursuing a relationship? She realized that she was angry at him, but also at herself. She should have known better.
Caleb’s voice broke through the silence. “You can relax, Anette.”
“I don’t dare risk it,” she said, keeping her back rigid. “What if I rip the lace on the gown?”
“Then we return home, none the wiser.”
Anette adjusted the sleeves on her jonquil gown as she replied, “Wouldn’t Octavia be disappointed?”
“You could just call upon her tomorrow and explain the situation.”
Her brother could be practical when he wasn’t teasing her about something, but he couldn’t help the anxiousness she felt at seeing Roswell again.
“Regardless, I would prefer to sit here and not move.”
“You are no fun, Sister,” Caleb teased.
“It is better than having a wrinkly gown.”
Caleb gave her a knowing look. “Now you are starting to sound like Mother.”
“Good heavens, I hope not,” Anette said. “Although, I wish that some part of me took after Mother.”
Caleb looked at her intently, and when he spoke, she could tell that he meant every word. "You're perfect just the way you are," he said with a smile.
“You are biased.”
“Perhaps, but it doesn’t change anything.”
Anette found herself relaxing in her seat. “What is wrong with me?” she asked. “I am not like most young women. I dream of writing a book, not getting married and having a happily ever after.”
“There is no shame in that.”
“Mother and Father think so.”
Caleb leaned forward. “No matter what happens, it will all work out just the way it is supposed to.”
In a voice filled with uncertainty, she timidly asked the one thing she was afraid of knowing the answer to. “What if I fail?”
“And what if you are wildly successful?” he countered. “No one knows what the future holds, including you.”
Anette bit her lower lip. “What if Mother and Father force me into an arranged marriage?”
“I will refuse to let that happen,” Caleb assured her. “You need not fear.”
“Thank you.”
A lazy smile came to Caleb’s lips as he sat back in his seat. “You will find that I can be most useful when the situation warrants it.”
