“Alright, I suppose. Angeline has been a blessing when it comes to giving her the attention she needs and deserves.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I also heard your friends descended on you, that’s good. Always good to know you have people you can lean on.” Davenport’s face became more serious. “I hope you know that I’m here for whatever you need as well, please let me know if there’s anything I can do.
“Actually, there is something,” Sidney said. Davenport looked surprised but nodded for him to continue. “Tomorrow, Nick’s lawyer will officially read the will. Will you come? I’d like you to be there with me. You were Nick’s best friend and I think it would be right, and I’d appreciate having you there.”
Davenport looked touched to be asked and gripped Sidney’s shoulder. “I’ll be there, happy to.”
The group shuffled inside, and he saw Lady Effie giving him a once-over as she removed her ridiculous hat and veil, allowing him to see her face. He suppressed a shudder but brushed the rather odd moment off, as he had more important things to dwell on.
Stepping into the formal parlor, Sidney was immediately greeted by several guests with a chorus of “Lord Hasting.” He had to forcefully swallow the bile that rose in his throat.
* * *
Angeline watched from the side of the parlor and winced when she heard everyone greet Sidney with his new title. She knew how much hearing it still pained him, a reminder of what he had lost. She saw him approaching and tried to busy herself with organizing the refreshments table, attempting to avoid him for just a bit longer. He could read her too well, even in his distracted state. She couldn’t bear any questions from him until they had a chance to talk.
“Angie, I feel like I haven’t really seen you the past few days. I’m sorry I’ve been so caught up in myself that I’ve neglected you.” Closing her eyes in guilt, Angeline had to force herself not to tell him it wasn’t his fault. She was the one who had been neglecting him, and at the time he needed her the most. Further twisting the knife, Sidney continued, “I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I know how much you’ve done this week, and I couldn’t have made it through without you.”
“You know I always want to help. I would do it for anyone,” she said.
“I know you would. Because that’s the kind of woman you are. And it’s part of the reason I love you,” he said. “But you did it for me, so let me appreciate you.” Leaning forward, he wrapped her in an embrace.
“Sidney, this is hardly appropriate,” she whispered. “Please let me go, we’re about to cause a scandal.”
“Please let me hold you,” he replied, on the edge of pleading. “I couldn’t care less what anyone says, and I need you today.”
Angeline stopped fighting. She wanted to be here to support him, though it hurt knowing that she would need to walk away once the day was over. But they did still have today, and it felt wonderful to be in his arms again. She surrendered to it and decided to be whatever he needed for the rest of the day, no matter how difficult it may make things later.
When the vicar announced it was time to gather for the service, Sidney finally let her go, but immediately took her hand so she would walk out with him.
The service was a blur, and Angeline could tell that Sidney wasn’t paying attention. He was barely hanging on. Keeping his head bowed, he wouldn’t look at the coffin. Not even Hazel could bring him out of his stupor. When she approached them, he managed a weak smile for her, but couldn’t focus when she tried to talk to him. Wanting to make certain she wasn’t neglected on this difficult day; Angeline picked her up and Hazel cuddled in her lap through much of the service. Guests whispered behind them about how intimate Angeline seemed with the family, but she tuned them out.
The rest of the afternoon dragged on as those who had come to pay their respects lingered. Angeline could tell Sidney was getting irritated, so she had her brother, Reid, and Henry usher the men out the door while Moira, Elise, and Grace escorted the ladies. Meanwhile, Angeline slipped upstairs to see Hazel once more and make sure she wasn’t traumatized from the service.
It had been a debate whether Hazel should attend the service, but Angeline insisted, feeling it would do more harm to prevent the girl from saying goodbye to her father. She believed this deeply after her experience with Phillip, knowing how jarring it was to lose a loved one so suddenly. She could only hope that everyone’s healing could begin now that Nick had been laid to rest.
CHAPTER21
It had been an incredibly long day, and Sidney breathed a sigh of relief when the last guest finally left or retreated to their rooms. Angeline had gone to check on Hazel, so Sidney shuffled his way to the library and poured himself a large glass of whiskey before collapsing into the nearest chair. It was only a few minutes later that his friends found him.
Without a word, Fitz made his way over to the sideboard and started pouring drinks for the others while Henry and Reid settled into the chairs before the fire.
“Well, the worst part’s over now. Everyone left will leave tomorrow, and you’ll be able to start finding a new normal,” Henry offered. He was always the one to look on the bright side, and Sidney loved him for it, but hope was not what he needed right now.
“I’m not ready. I have no idea what I’m doing.” Sidney covered his face with his hand in shame. “I could kick myself for never taking anything to do with the estate seriously. I just always assumed Nick would have an heir. I didn’t believe I would ever inherit, and I neglected my responsibilities for too long.”
“No one thought this would happen, Sid.” Reid shook his head sympathetically. “No one is ever ready for something like this, even if you did know more about the estate.”
“Nick was still young and healthy, there was no reason to think he wouldn’t have an heir eventually, especially with him planning to marry again,” Henry added. “There’s no need to add extra pressure to the situation with guilt.”
Sidney slumped down in his chair and leaned his head back, rubbing his tired eyes. “I have nothing but guilt. If only I hadn’t encouraged him to attend that hunting party to loosen up before deciding what to do with the engagement . . . Just more of my irresponsible ways.”
Fitz passed the drinks around, and Sidney held out his empty tumbler, silently asking for more. Fitz frowned slightly but added more to the glass before propping himself against the edge of a side table. “It was an accident,” he said. “It’s no more my fault than it is yours. No one expected you to inherit, so you can’t be blamed for not being familiar with the workings of Ravenswood. We all have our own estates now. We’ll help you learn what you need to know.”
“And I appreciate you all for it. Thank you for coming out so quickly.” Sidney would have fallen apart if it weren’t for Angeline’s support and the swift arrival of his friends. Everything that had happened in the twenty-four hours after the accident was a bit of a blur for him. “How did you all find out anyway? You were here in no time at all.”
“Angeline sent word right away,” Fitz replied. “She knew you’d want and need your friends around you.”
“Your sister’s the best woman in the world,” Sidney told him.
