Walking toward Geffen House, Sidney was a wreck. He nervously tugged at his collar, thinking it might strangle him. But as he approached, before he could talk himself into turning around, the front door swung open and Hazel ran toward him at full force. “Uncle Sidney!” she yelled before launching herself at him.
“Ooof!” he expelled as her head rammed into his stomach. Wrapping his arms around her to steady them both, he finally felt some of his guilt lighten at seeing Hazel’s sheer joy.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Uncle Sidney, I’ve missed you a lot. I’ve been having so much fun with Emily and Miles though. Can they come over when we go back home?”
“Whoa, slow down, Hazel. One thing at a time.” Sidney held her at arm’s length and looked at her. “First, I’m also glad to be home because I’ve missed you very much too. Second, I’m glad you have been enjoying yourself so thoroughly while I’ve been away. And finally, yes, of course your friends can come and play anytime. Are you truly ready to go home?”
Hazel nodded enthusiastically, and while Sidney didn’t want to put a damper on things, he wanted to make sure she understood what they would be going home to. “You know it’s not going to feel the same at home, don’t you?”
Hazel’s expression became more serious, and the corners of her lips tipped down slightly. “I know,” she said. It will feel different with Father not there. But you’ll be there, won’t you?”
He could sense her fear in her question, likely from the way he had left her alone before, and his heart ached in his chest. “Yes, Hazel. I’ll be there. And I promise I’ll try my best to be better. I was really sad, but I know you were sad too. Instead of being by myself, I should have talked to you so we could have been sad together. Because sometimes just being with someone else can make you feel better. I’ll be around now if you’re alright with that.”
Nodding, she threw her arms around him again, and he eagerly returned her hug. “Now, in a few weeks I have to go to London for a while for work, just like your father would.”
“For Par-Par-Parlemtent?” she asked, nose scrunched as she tried to get the word out correctly.
Chuckling Sidney said, “Yes, for Parliament. When I go, would you like to stay here at Ravenswood with your new governess so you can see Emily and Miles, or would you like to come to London with me?”
She took a minute to consider her options. “Where would Angeline be?” Hazel asked, making his heart clench.
“I don’t know, that would be up to Angeline.”
“Let’s go ask her” she said, grabbing Sidney’s hand and pulling him toward the door. It was only then that he looked up from Hazel and noticed that Angeline was standing in the doorway.
CHAPTER34
Watching Sidney at last be the man she knew he was, and the uncle that Hazel so desperately needed, made Angeline smile. Assessing him intently, he looked even better than when she’d seen him in Dorset the week prior. He had regained the weight he’d lost after Nick’s death, and there was color in his cheeks, though she supposed that could be from the chilly February breeze. But most importantly, his beautiful blue eyes sparkled again.
Angeline was standing far enough away that she couldn’t hear everything Sidney and Hazel said, but judging from their expressions and body language, it seemed the reunion was going well. As Hazel began leading Sidney toward the house, he looked up and locked eyes with her. She couldn’t tear herself away from his gaze as he approached. “Angie,” he said simply, when he was at last in front of her.
“Sidney, it’s good to see you home,” she said after blinking and breaking the spell.
“Angeline,” Hazel said, drawing her attention. “Are you going to London when Uncle Sidney does, or will you stay here? I can’t decide if I should go with him or not.”
“Oh, well I probably will go to London for a few months during the season, but I won’t be there as long as your uncle will.” Angeline was taken aback by the way she had asked the question.
“Hazel, you don’t think that your uncle and I would be travelling together, do you?” She was relieved upon seeing Sidney blush at her question, letting her know that he wasn’t harboring hopes and giving Hazel the wrong impression.
“No,” Hazel said. “I just wanted to check before I decided. Uncle Sidney, come and see my room here with Emily.” She tugged on Sidney’s hand, and just like that, they were off up the stairs.
Taking in a deep breath, Angeline felt some of her tension release. They’d seen each other again after everything was out on the table, and it had not been a disaster. Sidney seemed well and ready to take his place as viscount. Most importantly, he did not appear to resent her for how she had hurt him.
Sidney was gone for quite a while catching up with Hazel before returning downstairs to join Angeline, Moira, and Fitz for tea. When Fitz walked into the room, he went straight for Sidney and wrapped him in a bear hug, slapping him on the back before letting him go. “You look good, Sid. We’ve missed you, it’s nice to have you home.”
“It’s good to be home,” Sidney replied while bending down so Moira could kiss his cheek. Sitting down to enjoy the refreshments, it was an easy conversation between three of them. Angeline stayed mainly quiet and observed. Even after seeing the changes in him at Reid’s, she was understandably still wary having witnessed Sidney so far from his normal, jovial self after the accident. There was a new layer of sadness and weight that clung to him even now, making him appear more serious overall, but his old spark seemed to have returned, and for that Angeline was grateful.
Sidney regaled them with stories of his time away, telling them about books he’d read and his chess victories against Reid and Jonathan. Elise turned out to be a surprise ringer and beat him every time they were matched up.
As tea drew to a close, Moira bid farewell to talk with the governess about the children’s lessons, and Sidney walked over to Angeline. He looked down as if unsure of himself. “I need to collect Hazel and we should be on our way. I want to make sure she has enough time to resettle at home tonight.”
“That seems smart,” Angeline agreed.
“May I come by tomorrow, and if it’s not raining, we can take a walk like before?” He looked hopeful yet vulnerable at the same time. Sidney was placing the decision of where they went next in her hands, and she was grateful for the gesture.
“Yes, I would like that,” Angeline agreed. Sidney’s smile could have lit up the county.
* * *
