“I know it is hard, but your mother is still alive and she needs you.”
“I doubt that,” he said with a slight huff. “She doesn’t remember me half the time.”
“Does that matter? You don’t want to live with any regrets.”
Roswell had too many regrets already. He didn’t need anything more to complicate his life. But he couldn’t do this alone. He needed Anette’s help. With her by his side, he felt stronger, somehow.
He dropped his arm and reached for her hand. “I need you, Anette,” he said. He hoped that she didn’t chide him for his bold behavior. He didn’t like being vulnerable around anyone, but it was different with Anette. He felt safe around her.
Anette’s eyes held compassion. “I’m right here,” she replied. Her words were enough to encourage him, knowing she would be with him.
“That means more to me than you will ever know,” he stated before he knocked.
A moment later, the door opened and Nancy greeted him. “Good morning, my lord. Do come in,” she said, dropping into a curtsy.
Roswell led Anette into the room and he saw his mother was sitting up in bed with a tray in front of her. He released Anette’s hand, not wanting his mother to ask questions- questions that he couldn’t answer.
His mother’s eyes grew wide. “Fredrick! You have returned.”
“No, Mother, it is me, Roswell,” he said, attempting to keep the disappointment out of his voice.
Her face fell. “But you look just like my Fredrick.”
“Yes, I know, but Fredrick is still fighting in the war.” Roswell gestured towards Anette. “Do you remember Miss Bolingbroke?”
“Of course I do,” her mother declared. “How are you, dear?”
Anette smiled kindly at her. “I am well, thank you,” she replied.
“You have grown up to be a very beautiful young woman,” his mother continued. “How are you enjoying your Season thus far?”
“It has been… uneventful,” Anette said, stumbling over her words.
His mother laughed. “Seasons were very different in my day. They were filled with excitement and wonder,” she shared. “I have no doubt that you are being pursued by many gentlemen.”
“I’m afraid not, but I am not terribly upset by that fact.”
Turning her attention towards him, his mother said, “You should snatch Anette up before another gentleman does.”
“I… uh…” Roswell muttered, finding himself at a loss for words.
Fortunately, Anette had no such issue and said, “Roswell and I are dear friends and I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.”
Roswell’s jaw clenched. He knew that she spoke true, but he hadn’t expected it to hurt so badly. No matter how much he wanted to be more than just friends with her, he couldn’t act upon it. She was better off without him.
His mother didn’t appear satisfied with Anette’s response. “A deep, lasting friendship is the foundation of any good marriage.”
Anette snuck a glance at Roswell before replying, “I do not wish to marry.”
“Why, Child?” his mother asked.
With a tilt of her chin, Anette said, “I wish to make it on my own.”
“You will find that everything feels better with a true partner by your side,” his mother counseled.
A knock came at the door before the doctor stepped into the room. “Good morning, my lady,” he greeted warmly.
“Let’s get this over with,” his mother said, moving the tray to the side.
