“Thank you,” the duchess responded before whispering in Angeline’s ears, “I’m sorry if we overwhelmed you announcing it like that. I saw you leave not long after. Should I have told you in private first?”
“No. The last thing I need is for everyone to feel like they need to treat me with kid gloves. I won’t pretend I didn’t feel some personal sadness at the announcement, but I’m adjusting with time. And with my return to Kent, I think it’s time to move forward. I am genuinely thrilled for you and anxious to be an auntie once more.”
“Good.” Grace released Angeline’s hand with a squeeze before going to gather her breakfast. As more of her friends began to trickle in, Angeline turned her mind toward the day ahead.
CHAPTER4
It was a glorious afternoon, the sun shining in the final gasp of summer and warming the small strip of beach below the cliffs. It had been an enjoyable few days with only close friends of the bride and groom in attendance, and Sidney was loath for it to come to an end. The fun and relaxed atmosphere could not last forever, though, and more wedding guests were expected to arrive in just a few hours for the main event the next day.
Stretching after the game of lawn bowling the gentlemen had been attempting to play in the sand, Sidney grinned as he saw the ladies traipsing down the path from the cliff to join them. He was relieved to see Angeline enjoying herself over the last few days after the initial evening of the gathering.
Breaking off from the others, Angeline looked his way and smiled upon seeing him. Sidney’s pulse quickened as she headed his direction. She was always beautiful, but seeing her with a smile on her face again did something to Sidney’s that he was reluctant to examine too closely.
“What have you all been up to out here?” Angeline asked as she approached, looking at the balls skeptically.
“We were attempting to lawn bowl, but it wasn’t very successful.”
“I imagine not,” she replied with a laugh. “I should think sand is a bit of a different consistency than grass.”
He gave her a sheepish smile while shrugging. “It was worth a shot, and we had a good time anyway.”
Before he realized what was happening, they were walking down the beach together. It was wonderful spending time with only her. They had never spent much time alone over the years. Before, either Fitz joined them, or she was with Phillip when everyone was gathered together. Sidney relished this new phase in their friendship and getting to know Angeline all over again as the woman she was now.
“This is nice,” she said, echoing his thoughts. “We’ve never spent much time together, just the two of us. I’ve enjoyed the past few days.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” he said, turning toward her with a grin. “We’ve always been friends, but this week feels the start of a different phase of our friendship.”
“Yes, it seems like you actually want to spend time with me now. I’m not simply the irksome little sister trailing along and interrupting time with your real friend.” Her tone was teasing, and Sidney could see a glint in Angeline’s eye as she said these things, but he sensed an underlying insecurity.
“I never thought of you as a pest, Angie. I admit I was sometimes frustrated that your presence hindered our adventures, but I always liked you. You grew on me.”
“I think you’re just being kind,” Angeline said as she ducked her head. “I know how young boys are. You wanted to be off testing yourselves and doing dangerous things, like climbing the steep rocks near the river.”
Sidney laughed. “Yes, I did desire to do such foolish things, and your presence probably saved your brother and I from a few injuries over the years.” He stopped and turned to her, taking her hand in his. He could feel the shiver that went up her arm at the contact and felt the impact of it himself. “Angie, listen to me. You are not a bother. Nor did I feel like you were tagging along. Where is this coming from?”
Angeline was looking down at the sand, refusing to meet his eyes, but she didn’t let go of his hand as she slowly answered.
“I think moving back in with Fitz has me feeling a bit insecure. I know it’s the right move, but I can’t help but wonder if I’m inserting myself into his life as I did back then.”
Seeing such a normally confident woman’s insecurities come to the surface tugged at Sidney’s heartstrings. “Listen to me, Angie. Fitz loves you. I know we complained about having you along back then, but the truth is, we wouldn’t have had it any other way. He’s always enjoyed having you around, and that’s no different now. And I personally am looking forward to spending more time with you when we all return to Kent in a few days.”
“Do you really mean that?” Angeline asked, lifting her eyes.
“I do. You’ve always been someone special to me, and I’m happy we’ll have the opportunity to get to know one another in a whole new way. We’re both different people now”—he saw as that truth made her eyes mist over and reached out to brush a finger under her eye— “but at the heart of everything, you’re still the same person who wormed her way into my heart and never left.”
Sidney knew he needed to be careful and not say too much, but he wanted to reassure her, letting Angeline know she was not now, nor had her presence ever been, a burden. She was a blessing.
“Thank you, Sidney.” She was smiling with such affection he had to force himself not to step forward and kiss her. She wasn’t yet ready for such affections, and he wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to see him as anything other than a friend, but he knew this was his second chance. With her return to Geffen House, he needed to use the opportunity that had been presented to him, and see if in time, she might be ready for something more.
* * *
Sidney’s intuition about the week proved correct: Cliff House wasn’t nearly as fun once the remaining wedding guests arrived, and he had to brace himself for inane small talk before coming downstairs for pre-dinner drinks. The room was filled with guests dressed in their finest as he waded through the crowd toward the sidebar.
“Well don’t you look delicious,” a voice purred into his ear while he poured a dram of whiskey. Startled by the feminine form suddenly wrapped around his side, he fumbled the tumbler in his hand, nearly splashing out the precious brown liquid.
Laughing in delight at his clumsiness, the woman laid her hand on Sidney’s chest as if to claim him before he even had the chance to turn around. Closing his eyes and taking in a calming breath, he knew regardless of who she was, a piece of his past was back to cause him trouble.
The woman pulled away from him slightly, allowing Sidney to turn and see who was there creating problems. Recognizing Lady Catherine, he groaned internally. She was a young widow whom he’d had an affair with a few years prior. Though Sidney was now a responsible elected member of the House of Commons, his previous fast lifestyle still caught up with him from time to time, and Lady Catherine was one of his most persistent reminders.
