Chapter 184 It was not until they reached the Hampton estate that Sydney finally found her answer. Penelope had not returned for New Year's, but Timothy had. He clung to Adeline's side for once, unusually quiet and obedient. They arrived just as dinner was being served. Before anyone could even sit down, the housekeeper announced the meal. Everyone moved into the dining room. Adeline's displeasure showed plainly. "Rare enough for you to come home for New Year's, and you show up right at mealtime. To outsiders, it would look as if you were the elder here." Her target was obvious.
Sydney pretended not to hear, but Caleb would not let it pass. His voice remained steady. "Mom, the fault is mine for not arranging my time properly. If someone must be scolded, scold me." "Cal!" Adeline drew a sharp breath. "Remember, I'm your mother, yet you always defend outsiders." "The 'outsiders' you mean..." Sydney lifted her head and smiled faintly. "Are you referring to me? Or to my sister-in-law?" If the remark was meant for her, it would be unjust. If for Penelope, then it should never have been spoken in front of her. She had no reason to shoulder someone else's resentment.
Adeline's expression tightened. Her teeth clicked as she bit down. "Of course it's natural for Cal to defend his sister-in-law. He's simply helping watch over Penny and her child for Lucas' sake. Why must you twist things into a fuss?" For years she had feared Caleb might truly marry Penelope. For the Hampton family's reputation, she now refused to admit it aloud. Sydney's smile deepened. "Then him defending me should be even more natural. What is there for you to be angry about?" "Sydney!" Adeline's temper flared. It was not the first time her sharp tongue had left Adeline cornered.
"If you-" "Enough." Dorothy's face darkened as she turned to her. "Adeline, if the children arrive late, then they arrive late. It's New Year's. No need to make an issue of it." "Yes, Mother." Adeline fell silent at once, her fear of her mother-in-law outweighing her anger. Halfway through the meal, Caleb's phone rang. He leaned close to Sydney and spoke softly. "Eat well. I'll just step out for this call." She blinked, unsettled. "Alright." In the past, he would never have offered such an explanation before leaving the table.
She peeled prawns by hand and was about to dip them in sauce when a housekeeper serving dessert spilled half a bowl of eggnog over her. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Wilson, my hand slipped!" Sydney waved it off. "It's fine. I'll just go clean up." She rose and headed for the bathroom. The spill had only touched her sleeve, and she thought it would wash out quickly. Crossing the back courtyard, she heard Caleb's voice. "Are you sure you can track it down? As long as there's any clue about her, spare no cost." Sydney froze. Before she could register what he meant, her eyes met his.
A flicker of guilt crossed his face. He lowered his voice, muttered something into the phone, and walked quickly toward her. 1/2 "Penelope's missing?" Sydney asked with a faint smile. "No." He shook his head. It had been Gordon on the line. He had reported they were close to discovering which family in Jouleston had adopted Precious years ago. However, Caleb could not bring himself to tell her. Sydney could think of no one else who would drive him to such urgency, but she chose not to press. "I'll just clean up in the bathroom." The eggnog proved harder to wash out than she expected.
She scrubbed under running water until her arm ached, yet the stain barely lightened. She still had to attend the Sterling family's New Year's Eve dinner. Eloise would surely notice and deliver a few barbed remarks. As Sydney fretted, a sudden knock sounded at the bathroom door. 2/2