“I daresay that is impossible,” Simone said as they started down the path. “It has been nice getting to know you a little better.”
Anette glanced over at her. “May I ask you a question?”
“It depends.”
“On what?” Anette asked.
Simone smirked. “You are not going to ask about Caleb.”
Anette gave her a sheepish smile. “Was it so obvious?”
“Only to me,” Simone replied.
“Since we are speaking of Caleb…” Anette started.
“We weren’t.”
“….I was just curious if you two had an understanding.”
Simone resisted the urge to laugh at such a ridiculousnotion. A marriage between them would be a disaster, she thought. And she couldn’t very well tell Anette that. Instead, she chose to share a partial truth.
“No, we do not have an understanding. Quite frankly, I have no wish to marry,” she said.
Anette gave her a thoughtful nod. “I used to think as you did, but it changed when Roswell realized he couldn’t live without me.”
“I want more out of this life than just being a wife,” Simone admitted. “I have an inheritance from my grandmother that I can live on for the remainder of my days, assuming I live somewhat frugally.”
“Then why go through the effort- and expense- of having Seasons if you are so determined not to marry?”
Simone pressed her lips together, knowing she couldn’t very well tell Anette the truth. Her cover as a wallflower was extremely useful since it allowed her to overhear conversations that she was never supposed to hear.
They arrived at the rear of the townhouse and a footman opened the door. As they stepped inside, Simone knew that Anette was still waiting for her response. “My father is hopeful that I will settle down and be a good, obedient wife,” Simone said. That much was true.
“You might change your mind when you fall in love,” Anette remarked.
“Love is not in the cards for me,” Simone said. “That would require me to be looking for such a thing, which I am not.”
Anette’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Love can be found in the most unexpected places, even when you are not looking for it.”
Simone lifted her brow. “Are you a love expert?”
“I am not, but I am a firm believer in it,” Anette said. “I didn’t always feel this way, especially when I thought therewould never be a future between me and Roswell. I was going to be just fine on my own, but can I tell you a secret?”
“Please do.”
“Life is hard, but having a companion, a helpmate, by your side makes your burdens seem a little lighter,” Anette said. “And isn’t that all we can hope for?”
Simone stopped outside of the drawing room and turned to face Anette. “I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I prefer to be alone. It is familiar. Comfortable.”
“You don’t have to be alone.”
“True, but Ichooseto be alone,” Simone said. “There is a difference.”
Anette opened her mouth to no doubt argue with her when a knock came at the main door. Her butler crossed the entry hall and opened the door, revealing Caleb.
Turning towards her brother, Anette asked, “What are you doing here?”
Caleb stepped into the entry hall. “I would think it is fairly obvious,” he replied with a teasing lilt in his voice. “I am here to call upon Miss Delacourt.”
