Leaning forward, Roswell said, “I know it may sound terribly unfair, what Caleb is asking of you, but I assure you that it is of the utmost importance.”
“Why is that?” Anette asked.
Roswell held her gaze as he admitted, “I need you to be safe, Anette. I won’t be able to think clearly if I believe you to be in harm’s way.” He hoped that Anette believed his words because they were all true.
Some of the anger dissipated from Anette’s expression at his words. “I don’t want to be trapped in my townhouse.”
“It will only be until your brother and I can look into your attack,” Roswell said. “We will find your attacker and ensure he is in Newgate.”
Anette’s gaze turned skeptical. “Surely you don’t intend to go after this man yourselves. Why not send for the constable?”
“You must trust us on this,” Roswell said. “A constable will just get in the way right now.”
“I don’t want either of you to get hurt,” Anette admitted.
Caleb interjected, “You mustn’t worry about us. We can take care of ourselves.”
The coach came to a stop and Caleb exited the coach first. He assisted his sister onto the pavement before he led her towards the main door. Roswell trailed behind them and he wished that the throbbing in his head would go away. It hurt, but the thought that Anette could be in danger kept him moving forward.
They had just stepped into the entry hall when Caleb turned towards the butler. “Wake up my mother and inform her that Anette needs to speak to her.”
The butler tipped his head. “Yes, sir.”
Caleb placed a hand on Anette’s shoulder. “Go to your bedchamber and tell Mother what happened. She will tend to you.”
To Roswell’s surprise, Anette didn’t try to fight with her brother. “All right,” she agreed as she took a step back.
As Anette turned to leave, Roswell stepped closer to her. “I am proud of you,” he stated. “You were remarkable this evening. I just wish that you hadn’t been in that position to have to defend yourself. I should have been the one to protect you.”
Anette’s face softened. “You did protect me, in a way,” she said. “It is because of you that I can shoot as well as I can.”
“You give me far too much credit. I merely taught you how to shoot; you were the one that practiced relentlessly.”
“But you took the time to teach me,” she replied. “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time.”
Roswell took a step closer, but still maintained a proper distance. “I have enjoyed every minute that we have spent together.”
“As have I,” Anette said with a shy smile.
He wanted to pull her into his arms and promise her that he would always keep her safe. But he couldn’t promise that. She was not his.
Caleb cleared his throat. “It is time for Anette to retire for the evening,” he stated.
Roswell should be embarrassed that he was caught staring, but he wasn’t. He could look upon Anette forever and never tire of it. Her beauty was incomparable.
Anette took a step back and said, “Goodnight.”
While she headed up the stairs, Roswell attempted to appear indifferent, but he knew that she would always hold his heart.
ChapterTen
Roswell watched Anette’s retreating figure and he was overcome with relief that she was home, but more importantly, she was safe. He didn’t know what he would do if something happened to Anette. She may not be his, but he still loved her, desperately.
In a low voice, Caleb said, “You are lucky that you aren’t dead.”
“I am aware,” Roswell replied. “But the attacker wanted Anette, not me. I was just an inconvenience that was dealt with.”
“Do you have any idea as to why someone would want to abduct Anette?”
