The Cove
Anne purposely directed everyone towards a section of the beach she had never been allowed to visit. She was curious as it was the place her father went alone, and he had been very determined to take Charlotte there yesterday. When she stepped onto the beach, she felt uncertain… not sure if she wanted to proceed. It felt like she was entering a sacred space and a place her father treasured.
"Anne? Do you want to explore the cove?" Angus asked as he could see uncertainty flash across her face. She thought for a few moments and nodded. He held out his hand and Anne placed hers in his. Angus always made her feel safe and it felt right she was exploring this cove with him.
"My father regularly visited this cove… Do you know why?" Anne asked as she turned to her Uncle Charles who was assisting Janette over some rocks.
"No… maybe you should ask your father? Suggested Charles and then smiled to himself as he knew exactly what this place meant to Sidney. He and Crowe enjoyed watching their friend squirm after they found out what had happened. They had never seen their friend so embarrassed, and it was the first sign he had been affected by a young woman. Charles had never known where this cove was located and he himself was curious to view it.
"It is a secluded place" observed Sidney M as he helped Joy walked on the pebbled beach. They stopped to enjoy the view and both couldn't wait to be married. The Montrose Estate was on the Eastern coastline and Sidney started telling Joy about his home and places he wanted to share with her. Joy eyes sparkled with excited as she listened to Sidney M's passion and started imagining her new home.
"As soon as I saw you, I knew I had found a place for my heart" Sidney M sharing his thoughts. Joy never knew she could be so happy, and tears formed in her eyes. Sidney M pulling her closer and they looked out towards the sea… an activity they planned to do for the rest of their life.
The whole group walking to the northern end of the beach and climbed over some rocks. Charles and Janette electing to wait on the other side.
"5 minutes!" Janette warning the young couples.
Sidney M looked out to the sea and thought about his father. It was a good place for smuggling, but his father was not a smuggler. Joy was standing by him and he dared to place his arm around her waist as this was a private place…. he suddenly knew why this place was important to his father!
Anne and Angus had also been affected by the place. They had found a shelter rock and they sat holding hands together. Anne sharing more about her life and the adventures she had as a child in Sanditon.
"I also hoped my father would take me to this place but for some reason he never did. I would ask but in the end I stopped asking" Angus placing his arm around Anne and her head on his chest. Angus had a place he visited alone to think on the Montrose Estate and suspected it might have had something to do with his Aunt Charlotte. He promised Anne they would find a private place they could go together and Angus watched as a smile spread on her face.
"I would like that my love… it must have a view!" sweetly asked Anne who knew Angus would give her the world if she asked.
"As you wish" Angus placing his hand on her face and as they were slightly hidden kissed her. He had already picked some places and would enjoy exploring them with Anne. Until then this cove seems liked the perfect place. He pulled out a small box and gave it to Anne to open. He watched as she open the lid revealing a betrothal ring. It was a ring Janette had inherited when her mother had died, and she had given it to her son. Anne traced her finger over the various Celtic decorations on the silver ring feeling privileged to be another woman to wear this ring.
"You are such a romantic Angus Montrose" sighed Anne as Angus placed the ring on her finger. There was another ring which would go next to the betrothal ring but they would have to wait for their wedding day.
On the other side Charles and Janette had settled themselves on a large rock. Janette laughing as Charles took out his watch to time the five minutes.
"Angus is giving Anne my mother's betrothal ring" Janette shedding happy tears for the pair. Janette and Charles had both lost their partners early in their marriages and had never remarried. Since they were in Sanditon Janette asked Charles about Esther.
"Hmm… she didn't want to have anything to do with me but I was lost the moment I saw her" Charles smiled as he remembered Esther's quick witted comments. He explained to Janette how he had pursued her and the Joy he felt when Esther finally accepted his proposal. It was one of the reasons he had named their daughter Joy.
"I thought my life ended when she died in my arms after giving birth to Joy. To survive I dedicated my life to raising my children and making her proud of me" Charles shared with Janette who truly understood his grief. Her husband's life had been cut short and she had raised her children alone. Both sharing stories of the various family members and friends failed attempts to match them.
"Do you think you would ever remarry?" asked Janette who on her husband's death decided she would remain a widow for the rest of her life.
"I never have met a woman who came close to my Esther" Charles reflected. He checked his watch and realised they had given the young couples twenty minutes. He offered Janette his arm laughing when she called out in an authoritative voice.
"Thig… come!" Sidney M and Angus appearing with their ladies quickly as they knew not to cross Janette Montrose. Charles couldn't help but smile as he liked Janette's take charge personality.