Caleb rose from his chair and walked to retrieve the letter from the tray. As he unfolded the paper, Barrow slipped out of the room.
“Kendrick wants us to report our findings to him at once,” Caleb revealed.
“Shall we go now?” Roswell asked.
Caleb nodded. “That would be for the best.”
As they walked towards the main door, Lady Oxley appeared in the entry hall and greeted Roswell warmly. “Roswell, what an unexpected surprise.”
Roswell bowed. “My lady…” He hesitated. “Elizabeth.”
Lady Oxley smiled approvingly. “Thank you for taking Anette on a carriage ride through Hyde Park.”
“It was my pleasure,” he responded. And that was the truth.
“I was wondering if you would consider taking her to Vauxhall Gardens this evening,” Lady Oxley said. “She is quite fond of the architecture there.”
Before he could reply, Anette’s exasperated voice came from the doorway of the drawing room. “Mother, Lord Roswell has better things to do than traipsing with me around Town.”
“I’m sure he does, but you need to be out in Society, and often,” Lady Oxley said, speaking over her shoulder. “I would take you myself, but your father and I have plans this evening.”
“What if I take Anette this evening?” Caleb interjected.
Lady Oxley’s smile grew tight, making Roswell wonder if she was up to something. “It would be better if you both went with Anette.”
“Mother…” Anette started.
Roswell spoke over her. “I would be happy to accompany Anette to Vauxhall Gardens, assuming she has no complaints.” He shouldn’t want to spend more time with Anette, but heaven help him, he did. He would take every opportunity he could.
Anette closed her mouth and he could practically see her mind whirling. No doubt she was trying to come up with a reason as to why she couldn’t go with him.
“It is decided, then,” Lady Oxley announced. “You all will be going to Vauxhall Gardens this evening. I will inform Barrow of this.”
Just as quickly as she appeared, Lady Oxley departed from the entry hall.
Anette offered him a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry about my mother. She means well, but I fear that she can be overbearing at times.”
“No harm done. I have been meaning to visit Vauxhall Gardens anyways,” Roswell said. “Your mother has simply given me the perfect excuse.”
“Thank you, Roswell,” Anette responded, looking relieved by his admission.
Roswell offered her a brief smile before he departed from the townhouse. Once he stepped into his carriage, he accepted the reins from the footman.
Caleb came to sit next to him on the bench. “You know what my mother is about, don’t you?”
“I have some suspicions,” Roswell replied.
“My mother has always loved to play matchmaker, especially with her children, but it is all right to tell her no.”
Roswell urged the team forward and into traffic. “I have a hard time with telling her no, considering how welcoming she has been to me.”
“That is how my mother gets you,” Caleb joked. “She uses that guilt to her advantage.”
A short time later, they arrived at the bakery shop and Roswell secured the carriage. He stepped onto the pavement and headed into the shop.
Once inside, he saw Bertha was standing behind the counter, ready to receive them. Caleb locked the door since they were the only customers.
Roswell stepped forward and said, “I need ten loaves for my daughter.”
