“No, that was not my intention.”
“Then what was?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. Anette deserved so much more than a stolen kiss in the entry hall, but he had just been caught up in the moment. But one thing was for certain, if Caleb hadn’t walked in on them, he would most likely have succumbed to his desires and kissed her. Which would have ruined everything.
Some of Caleb’s anger dissipated at his admission. “She is my sister, and she can’t be caught up in all the lies.”
Roswell knew Caleb spoke true. He didn’t want to spend his days lying to Anette about where he had been and what he was doing. “I know.”
“I’m sorry but it has to be this way,” Caleb said. “There is no other way.”
A black coach came to a stop in front of them and the door promptly opened, revealing Mr. Whitmore.
“Friends. Comrades,” he greeted as he exited the coach. “What are you doing standing on the pavement like ruffians? It is very uncouth of you.”
Roswell was grateful for Mr. Whitmore’s arrival. He was done discussing Anette, knowing he could never be with her. She would always remain just outside of his reach.
“I thought you were on your wedding tour,” Caleb said.
“We only just returned and I was on my way to White’s for a drink,” Mr. Whitmore said. “Would you care to join me?”
“We were there earlier,” Roswell responded.
Mr. Whitmore gave him a blank stare. “Your point being?” he asked. “The more you go, the more the servers are acquainted with you.”
“I need to get home to my mother,” Roswell said.
“I will allow that,” Mr. Whitmore responded. “How is your mother faring?”
Roswell frowned. “Not well, I’m afraid, but I do not wish to speak of that.”
Mr. Whitmore placed a comforting hand on Roswell’s shoulder as he expressed, “You have my deepest sympathies at this time.”
“Thank you,” Roswell responded.
As he removed his hand, Mr. Whitmore said, “If you would like, you can have my mother. She is being unbearable at the moment.”
“I do not want your mother,” Roswell stated.
“Pity,” Mr. Whitmore muttered. “She is at odds with my wife and it is driving me mad.”
“But you only just returned,” Caleb remarked.
“It is a terrible curse that I must bear,” Mr. Whitmore said. “We might be forced to retain our own residence.”
Caleb gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. “That might be for the best.”
A broad smile came to Mr. Whitmore’s lips. “Despite the hardships, I highly recommend you each get a wife, and quickly.”
“We shall think on that,” Caleb said.
Mr. Whitmore’s smile remained intact as he shared, “Marrying Emily was the smartest thing I have ever done. Not only did I marry the love of my life, but I am a very rich man now.”
Roswell could hear the genuineness in his friend’s voice and he was happy for the man. He just hoped it would last. Mr. Whitmore’s interest tended to wane easily.
Caleb spoke up. “We shall have to celebrate over a drink at White’s.”
“I shall be looking forward to it,” Mr. Whitmore said as he opened the coach door. “If you will excuse me, I should be on my way. I don’t want to leave Emily alone with my mother for too long.”
