Tell me about your family
Everyone stood at the grave site and watched as Clyde was finally laid to rest. The final event was a dance for everyone to truly celebrate the life of Clyde. It was to be held at the Montrose Estate, but it had been delayed allowing everyone a chance to rest.
For security purposes Sidney and Anne moved into the Montrose Estate. Anne was please and happily shared a room with Elizabeth. Angus was relieved as he could keep a close eye on her compared to Sidney who had to watch Joy leave for her father's house.
"I will see you tomorrow night at the ball. I am wearing a light blue dress" Joy informing Sidney so he would match with her. He had been granted time alone and kissed her quickly before she had to leave. Sidney M heading to his room and spent his time thinking about Joy and counting down the days until they would be married. His thoughts turning to Sanditon and was curious to visit the place of his conception. Sidney M deciding he would speak with his father once he had rested.
Sidney and Charlotte were not sleeping. Sidney was tracing circles along Charlotte's back while she rested her head on his chest. He hummed in satisfaction and kissed the top of her head.
"Tell me about Arthur, Diana, Mary, Tom and the children?" Charlotte asked
Sidney had kept close contact with Arthur and Diana but with Tom it had become non-existent. Charlotte asking how that was possible when they lived in the same town.
"I kept to myself and after I knocked him out, we choose to avoid each other" simply stated Sidney. It had occurred shortly after the wedding when the majority of Tom's debts had been paid. Tom wouldn't stop speaking about the virtues of Eliza and that Sidney was lucky he had married her. Sidney had been drinking and lost control. Anne visited Mary but Sidney would go for a walk on the beach.
"Jenny, Emma, Henry and James?" Charlotte asked. Sidney always had time for them and had spent more time in his home than Tom's. It was another point of contention between the brothers. Tom always seemed to be jealous of Sidney's life. Jenny and Emma had married country gentlemen and lived in the northern parts of England. Sidney had paid for their dowries… Tom had spent that money years ago and Mary had feared they would never make good matches. Both girls acknowledging to their Uncle they preferred living a large distance away from their father who wouldn't travel from Sanditon. Henry and James had left for overseas 5 years ago seeking their own fortunes. Tom once again blaming Sidney for romancing his travels and influencing the boys choices.
"The last letter I received they were in America but by the time I received the letter it was months old" Sidney thinking back to the years he had lived overseas and rarely wrote home. There had been times he had been near death and he did worry about the boys at times. He also suspected they preferred to be away from their father's unreasonable demands. Sidney had in fact given the boys money for their passages as they were making unwise choices in London. Henry in fact had a legitimate child which had been left on Sidney's doorstep. Henry had already left the country and Sidney had become Cassie's ward paying a family to care for the little girl.
"The mother?" asked Charlotte. The housekeeper from the London House told Sidney she suspected it was one of the scullery maids as the little girl bore similar features to one maid who had disappeared. Charlotte knowing how the girl would have felt was thankful Sidney had been ensuring the child was safe. Sidney hoping that once Henry had returned, he would claim his daughter. Until then he and Anne had been her only family connection to the Parkers. Sidney promising to arrange for the little girl of five to visit.
"Mary and Tom now live alone in Trafalgar House?" Charlotte remembering the noise that the children created in the house and couldn't image it being silent. Mary clearly had been punished by Tom's foolishness. Depriving Mary regular contact with her children and grandchildren. Charlotte asking what Mary was like and was sad to hear she rarely left her home in Sanditon.
Arthur and Diana had never married and happily lived in Spain. It had been recommended for their health and after experiencing significant improvements they chose to make Spain their permanent home. Anne and Sidney had visited them numerous times when Sidney had to travel for his trading company.
"Will there be any problems when we visit Sanditon?" Charlotte asked. It seemed Tom had a deep rooted anger towards Sidney and used Sidney as a scapegoat for all his problems. She was thankful Sidney was not financially connected to the town but worried Tom might cause problems for the Montrose family. Sidney had been pondering this matter, praying that Tom would keep away and allow them to visit the town in peace.
"Charlotte? There was a Mr Phillip Stringer at the dinner yesterday? Is he related to James Stringer?" Sidney had realised months after Charlotte had left Sanditon James was attracted to Charlotte and often wondered if they had married. He unconsciously tightened his hold on Charlotte and only relaxed when she stroked his face.
"Hector and I came across James when he was completing his architectural apprenticeship in London. We commissioned some designs and later invested in his company. He married my sister Alison and Phillip is my nephew. Phillip is currently apprenticing under James and will take a design position once he comes of age.
"Angus Montrose?" Sidney had finally noticed the close interaction between the man and Anne.
"Angus's father was a younger brother of Hector who died in a Hunting trip. Hector took in Janette and their two children." spoke Charlotte
Angus was Sidney's guardian angel and held a special place in Charlotte's heart. He was a good man, and she knew Angus found Anne special. Charlotte spending time speaking about Angus and at different times making Sidney laugh at the antics the boys got up to together. Sidney planning to get to know this man who was significant in his son's life and maybe his own daughter's future.
Charlotte had stopped talking and her breathing had changed. She had fallen asleep. While holding her gently in his arms he closed his own eyes… he was no longer alone.