Thank you for protecting our son
"Mr Parker… Miss Parker you are welcome to join our group" Sidney M making the decision to show hospitality and allow them to join the group. He fixed his attention on his mother who silently supported his choice. Joy taking the arm of Anne which forced father and son to walk together.
"Ahh… it is a fine day for walking?" Sidney trying to start a conversation and instantly reprimanded himself for the chosen subject.
"Yes… but nothing compares to a fine day in Scotland" easily spoke Sidney M and his accent deepened.
"I can claim a former acquaintance with your mother… Lady Montrose stayed with my brother in Sanditon… many years ago"
"Tha, my mother informs me it is a beautiful part of the world" Sidney seeming please Charlotte had spoken favourable of Sanditon.
"Yes… I live there on a permeant basis and rarely visit London" Sidney desperate to find some common ground.
"Tha, I prefer my homeland to London, but it cannot be helped"
"Ahh… Anne tells me your sister is coming out this season"
"Tha, my little sister Elizabeth who regularly informs me she can make her own choices" smiled Sidney M as Elizabeth had warned him that very morning.
"Babbington told me your father died a number of years ago" Sidney wanting to see his son's reaction towards that man.
"Athair… I greatly miss his advice and guidance. I have great shoes to fill but he always told me I have to do it my own way" Sidney M hearing Hector's encouraging voice.
"It sounds like you greatly admired your father" Sidney trying not to sound jealous but failed miserably.
"Tha, he was the best of fathers and my closest friend… it has been 2 years, but I still miss him every day. Were you close to your father Mr Parker?"
"No… my father was difficult and spent the majority of his time with my oldest brother" honestly shared Sidney
"I am sorry Mr Parker… the Scott's place importance on relationships and everyone in the family is essential"
"Sidney!" both men turning at hearing their name being called. Sidney taking on a shocked look and suddenly focused his attention on Charlotte who had witnessed the two men turn in complete unison.
'You named him Sidney… after me?' he silently asked Charlotte who nodded. Sidney standing taller and felt warmth in his chest knowing his son bore his name… he had been acknowledged.
Angus approaching Sidney M with a note from the elders of the various clans which needed an urgent answer. Sidney watching his son as he carefully read the letter and without even asking writing equipment was supplied for him to respond instantly.
"Joy just told me the Earl is the Laird of the entire Montrose family and holds a high position amongst the Scottish clans" Anne breathing out this information and looked in admiration towards the Earl.
"He is not for you… he belongs to a higher social class to our family" Sidney speaking sharply. He watched as she pouted her lips and knew he was going to have to keep her away from her half-brother. The Earl returning to his mother's side and spent the rest of their walk speaking with her.
"Mathair" Letting his mother lean against him and he felt her strengthen her hold on his arm.
"I will be well my love.. how was your first conversation?" Charlotte was not going to stop future conversations but warned her son to be careful.
"We spoke about the weather first!"
"Weather!" Charlotte smiling as she remembered her own awkward conversation before the mid-summer ball.
"Is this something common amongst the English… they seem to be obsessed with the weather" a perplexed Sidney M asked his mother. She reminded her son that the Scott's were more closely connected and only spoke about weather when planning to travel or hunt.
"Tha… we don't waste our words… he did tell me you knew each other in Sanditon" Charlotte nodding as he spoke. She was not surprised Sidney wanted to know more about Hector and his relationship with their son. The weather had turned cold and Sidney M directed everyone back towards the house. Charlotte this time extending a lunch invitation for Sidney and his daughter. In the entrance Sidney was met by a large family portrait of Charlotte, Hector, Harriet, Sidney and Elizabeth. He looked intently at Hector and felt jealousy towards the man who had claimed and raised his son.
"Ahh… you would have loved my brother-in-law Hector. He always had time for anyone and his son will be one of our greatest chieftains." Jannette speaking proudly as she looked at her brother and nephew.
"Antaidh …. Aunt! Are you making great claims about me again?" teased Sidney M who kissed her on the cheek.
"Sidney Hector Montrose… I can say whatever I want!… Do you want me to speak about the time you and Angus got into the preserve jars?" Sidney M chucking as he watched his Aunt walk into the morning room.
"It is our women who are in charge … particularly our Father's sisters" smiled Sidney M as he directed Sidney and Anne towards the morning room. Sidney M inviting the older man to join him for a quiet drink in the study. No one batted an eye as it was normal for the Laird to do this when meeting a new male.
They entered the large room which was full of books. Sidney M asking his father to serve himself. Charlotte entering the room and knew exactly what her son was doing quickly poured a whisky. Port was Sidney's drink, and Charlotte didn't want her son to judge Sidney based on his drink choice.
"Just drink this" Charlotte speaking softly when Sidney hesitated at the drink being offered. Charlotte offering him a chair and sat next to her son who spoke first.
"I have known for many years Hector Montrose was not my father and knew you were my birth father the minute I saw you. My mother confirmed my suspicions and the circumstances of your parting." Sidney drawing his mother closer to him as he knew it was going to be a difficult conversation.
"I… I… can't express how sorry I was not able to help you Charlotte and I have missed so much but understand your choice. You saved our son from social shame and was raised by a loving father… I suspect a much better man than me" Sidney hanging his head and raise it as he found Charlotte sitting next to him.
"I didn't know until it was too late…." Tears forming in Charlotte's eyes and it was mirrored in Sidney's.
"Charlotte… I always regretted our parting and have lived a half-life" he looked into her face and knew she understood his pain.
"Sidney… I fared better than you as I met a good man who loved me and our son" Charlotte taking hold of Sidney's hands and they shared a moment of silence.
"How can we proceed?" asked a hopeful Sidney
"In the eyes of the law I am the eldest son of Hector Montrose. No one is to know my true origins as it will place our clan in danger. Linage means everything and power can easily be shifted. My Uncle Steward thirsts for power and could use this as a means to destroy us all. If you love me, you cannot tell anyone… my mother will always introduce you as an old English family friend and please forgive me if we don't always stand together as it will raise questions" requested Sidney M.
"Are you in danger?" Sidney taking on a hard tone as he was worried for his son.
"Nothing I cannot handle and have the loyalty of the clans which ensures my safety and those who are closest to me"
"Hector?" asked Sidney
"My father was poisoned… we suspect it was his brother Steward… I have already survived two attempts on my life and currently hearing rumours of a third" Sidney turning pale at this piece of information. Sidney seeing the situation was complicated and would do anything to protect his son.
"Good… we need to return to the others and hope you will enjoy our Scottish hospitality!" Sidney M getting up and embraced his father for the first time… Sidney returning the pressure becoming overcome by this gesture.
Sidney offering his arm to Charlotte…
"Thank you for keeping our son safe" Sidney whispered in Charlotte's ear before they exited the study.