“It is,” Roswell said through clenched teeth.
Octavia spoke up. “I just had the most wonderful idea,” she declared. “Wouldn’t it be splendid if Roswell and Anette joined us on our carriage ride?”
Roswell visibly tensed. “I think that is a terrible idea.”
“Why, Brother?” Octavia asked with a lifted brow. “I think it would give you a chance to get to know Mr. Barnard.”
Anette could tell how uncomfortable Roswell was, and she decided to take pity on him. “I’m afraid I must be returning home.”
“It will only be a short carriage ride through Hyde Park,” Octavia said. “I insist that you join us. It will be fun.”
As Anette tried to think of a way out of the carriage ride, Roswell spoke first. “We will join you.”
“We will?” Anette asked, turning to face him. Why had Roswell agreed to such a thing, considering how little he cared for Mr. Barnard?
Roswell nodded. “Octavia is right. I don’t know Mr. Barnard very well and I look forward to the opportunity to remedy that.”
“But my father…” Anette started.
Caleb stepped out of the drawing room and spoke over her. “Will be delighted,” he said, finishing her sentence.
Anette wasn’t sure what Roswell and her brother were up to but her father had specifically told her not to leave the townhouse. He had granted permission for her to visit Lady Cuttyngham, but she doubted he wanted her to go on a carriage ride through Hyde Park.
“It is decided, then,” Octavia said, clasping her hands together.
Mr. Barnard did not look pleased by the frown on his face but it quickly disappeared when Octavia turned towards him. “May I escort you to the carriage?” he asked, holding out his arm.
As Mr. Barnard led Octavia to the carriage, Anette glanced between her brother and Roswell. “Do you think this is wise?” she asked. “Father forbade me from leaving the townhouse.”
“Do not worry,” Caleb said. “I shall ride behind the carriage to ensure you are kept safe.”
“I am not worried, but I do fear that Father will be angry with me, with both of us,” Anette responded.
“It will be all right,” Caleb assured her.
Roswell held out his arm as he questioned, “Does Mr. Barnard look familiar to you?”
“No, why?” she asked as she placed her hand on his sleeve.
“Could he have been the man that had threatened your father?” Roswell inquired.
She shook her head. “His voice is much deeper than the man that I overheard last night,” she replied.
“Are you sure?” Roswell demanded. “I need you to be certain.”
“I am,” Anette assured him. She had little doubt that Mr. Barnard was not the same man that she had overheard so why was Roswell pressing her?
Roswell looked visibly disappointed as he addressed Caleb. “Remain close and do not hesitate to shoot Mr. Barnard for any reason,” he said.
Anette gave him a baffled look. “Why would you wish to shoot Mr. Barnard?” she asked.
“It might knock him down a peg or two,” Roswell replied.
“But by your own admission, you hardly know the man,” Anette said.
“I know enough.”
Anette knew there was no point in continuing this conversation since Roswell was bound and determined not to like Mr. Barnard. She didn’t have an opinion of the man at this point since she had only been introduced to him. But surely he couldn’t be as bad as Roswell claimed.
