Moira was in a state making sure everything was ready for dinner before their guests arrived, and Angeline watched in amusement as she went back and forth with the housekeeper, debating whether the children should join the adults for supper.
“I know you’re used to dining with your own children, my lady,” the housekeeper said patiently, “but many are not used to such practices and may find it disconcerting.”
“I understand, but part of this entire day was for Lord Hasting to observe how the guests interact with the children. That will not be possible if they are separate from us the entire time.”
Both women looked about ready to combust, so Angeline interjected, “Why don’t the children join us all in the drawing room for predinner refreshments, and then they can enjoy supper on their own in the breakfast room?” She tried to hide her amusement when a look of relief passed over both women’s faces. A compromise meant that neither of them had lost the disagreement. Neither had won either, but that was beside the point, what mattered was that it couldn’t be used over one or the other of them in the future.
Angeline was both excited and nervous for the evening. It had been quite a few years since she’d seen Sidney’s brother. Being a few years older than Fitz, Nick hadn’t been around as much when Angeline was younger, and she had scarcely returned to Geffen House over the last few years. While she’d met Hazel before, she had been much smaller at the time, and Angeline was sure the little girl would not remember her. The thought of seeing Hazel made her smile, but her stomach flipped as she contemplated what she’d say to Sidney after the other night.
Completely overcome by the riot of emotions the kiss made her feel, Angeline was torn over how to proceed. Part of her wanted to celebrate being able to feel such passion again and to indulge in the sensation once more, while her more rational half wondered if such indulgence could end up hurting Sidney. Either way, tonight was certainly not the time to dwell and figure it out.
As the guests arrived by carriage out front, Angeline thought how ridiculous it was for the party to ride over rather than walk when the two houses were so close together. Sidney seemed to have the same thought, exiting the carriage with an exasperated expression on his face.
Quickly making his way over to Angeline’s side, she could hear him muttering under his breath.
“Most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done. Whoever heard of riding in a carriage for less than a quarter mile?”
Smiling, she couldn’t help but goad him. “And was it really so difficult? You arrived in one piece.”
“It was the whole production of it. When Nick started heading toward the back of the house to walk over, you would have thought he was doing it naked, for the shock it created. The ladies simply could not walk such a distance in the heat and arrive dusty and warm.” Sidney shook his head in agitation. “And besides,” he added in a tone that was clearly an imitation of the women, “coming in a carriage is the onlyfashionableway to arrive.” He shook his head in disgust.
A laugh escaped her, Angeline couldn’t help it. Sidney shot her a glare but kept his mouth shut as introductions were being made.
Angeline had not formally met Lady Tarlton, as they did not run in the same social circles, but she had seen her before attonevents. She knew Moira felt for the lady, as she had wed the late Marquess of Albany, an older gentleman Moira’s father had once thought would be a good match for her. Thank goodness Fitz snatched her up before that could happen. Now widowed for several years, Lady Effie, she had asked to be called, was clearly on the hunt for another husband. Angeline could see that she was beautiful, but there was something disingenuous in her expression that took away from her attractiveness.
Introductions complete, the group made their way inside with the children running ahead. Lady Effie looked on disapprovingly at their enthusiasm, causing Angeline and Sidney to shake their heads. With an hour before dinner service, everyone gathered in the drawing room and Fitz prepared drinks for the adults while Angeline poured lemonade for the children.
“My father says I’ve met you before, but I don’t remember you.” Angeline looked down at Sidney’s niece as she spoke. The girl shyly sidled up to her and thanked her politely when Angeline handed Hazel a glass of lemonade.
“He is correct, we have met before. I think you were only three or four years old, so I can understand why you might not remember me.”
Hazel puzzled over this new piece of information for a moment. “That makes sense. I was three when my mother died, and I don’t remember her either.”
Angeline’s heart broke at her perfunctory statement. Looking up, she could tell from the expression on Sidney’s face that he’d overheard. When the children ran off, he came to stand beside her.
“Maybe it is best for Nick to marry again. I wasn’t sure at first, but he’s right that my niece needs a mother.” Sidney looked lost in thought as his eyes tracked Hazel across the room.
“Nick will be glad to have your support,” Angeline offered.
“He’s always had it,” Sidney said. “I only wish he might look for some other candidates. I’m not entirely convinced by Lady Effie.”
In the end, Moira and the housekeeper’s disagreement hardly mattered because the children entertained themselves while the adults talked. Angeline observed the youngsters and couldn’t help but smile at their antics as they were creating a story to enact. While Miles and Emily were younger than Nick’s daughter, they all got along well. It was clear living next door had bonded them in friendship the same way it had for Fitz, Angeline, and Sidney when they were growing up.
A bit of a disagreement seemed to arise between Emily and Hazel, and before anyone could intercede, Lady Effie took it upon herself. “Children, hush!” she snapped. “Has anyone ever told you that children should be seen and not heard? You are interrupting others’ conversation.”
The room fell silent. Moira pursed her lips, clearly displeased that someone outside the family was chastising her child. And the children hung their heads in shame, making Angeline furious. They had only been playing and gotten a little loud as they disagreed over something, it was hardly cause for such reprimand.
Nick cleared his throat uncomfortably before addressing the children. “Perhaps you could do something else that would be a bit quieter,” he suggested.
“Auntie Angie could read to us,” said Emily. “She’s very good at doing the voices.”
“I would be happy to, my dear,” she answered. Angeline saw many of the others sigh in relief. As she walked over to the corner of the room where the children were, Lady Effie offered a strained smile, placated that she was not the one lowering herself to entertain the children.
Angeline sat in the middle of the sofa and Miles brought her one of his books. He settled on the ground at her feet while the girls sat on either side of her. As she began to read quietly, she felt Hazel cuddle up to her side as if she were starved for affection. Moved by the young girl and remembering what Sidney had said about her needing a mother, Angeline wrapped an arm around her as she continued with the story.
Feeling eyes watching her, Angeline looked up on a page turn and saw Sidney staring at her. A look of undisguised longing was on his face, and in that instant, Angeline knew that Moira was right. He cared for her, and she was beginning to suspect that her own childhood infatuation may not be as solidly in the past as she had believed. Eyes locked with his, she could feel her cheeks starting to warm and was lost to everything around her.
A tug on her skirt brought her back to the moment as Miles impatiently waited for her to continue. Clearing her throat, Angeline started reading again, but her mind wasn’t on the words she was saying. Instead, she focused on how it felt knowing with certainty that she could have a partner again should she want to.
