Lady Hastings' Second Season

Chapter One

"Amelia, you are to have the attention of every man in the ballroom tonight!" Virginia Pennington, daughter of the Marquess of Sheffield, sighed as she looked at her cousin in admiration.

"Oh, stop Ginny, do not think I do not know what you are doing! Trying to fish for a compliment!" Amelia chided her before grinning, "Although, just this once, I shall have to indulge you because you are looking absolutely delightful! Blue is really most becoming on you."

"I do admit it looks rather handsome on me," Virginia glanced down at her royal blue ball gown with a smile. "Hopefully there will be others that agree, for to not be asked to dance tonight would indeed break my heart."

"Ginny, it is important not to simply focus on finding a suitor. You are a debutante and you must enjoy your first season to the fullest." Her cousin reminded her. "I do believe there was not a single day last season where I did not smile, for that was how much I loved it."

Virginia was about to reply when their dressing room door opened and Adelaide Pennington, Marchioness of Sheffield and Amelia's aunt, appeared. "Virginia, your father has been waiting in the parlour for the past half hour. I appreciate it is your first season but you are pushing the boundary of being fashionably late!"

"Sorry mama, we will come down right away," Virginia apologised to her mother before rising from her seat and taking Amelia's hand to go downstairs.

Lord Charles Pennington, the Marquess of Sheffield, was indeed waiting rather impatiently for them in the parlour and, as soon as they made an appearance, began eagerly ushering them towards the front door and out to the carriage.

Eventually they arrived at the first ball of the season, excitement from both girls filling the air, and Virginia clutching Amelia's hand. Once inside, the Marquess and Marchioness were quickly pounced on by friends and left Virginia and Amelia to stand by their sides with bored, obligatory smiles on their faces. Eventually, the girls were dismissed and allowed to explore the ball, with Amelia pointing out the gentlemen she had met previously.

It was not long before Amelia spotted a certain fellow who she felt nothing but disdain towards making his way over to them. She did not have the chance to whisper her feelings to her cousin before he arrived with a bow, "Your Grace, how long it has been since we last met! A pleasure to see you again,"

"I believe it was spring when we parted ways," Amelia smiled politely. "Let me introduce you to my cousin, Lady Pennington, daughter of the Marquess of Sheffield. Cousin, this is Lord Clarence, Earl of Plymouth."

"How lovely to meet you, My Lord." Virginia curtseyed, the coy smile on her face indicating that she rather appreciated the man.

"Is this your first season, for I do say I have not seen you before?" He asked.

"Indeed, it is."

"Well, if I may be so bold as to ask for a place on your dance card, it would be a great honour." Lord Clarence smiled at Virginia, leaving Amelia unimpressed.

"Certainly! In fact, we may go now, if you do not mind Amelia?" Virginia turned to her with a hopeful look.

"Do not let me hinder you, I shall find you later." She encouraged before curtseying to Lord Clarence.

"Perhaps I shall find you after, Your Grace, and persuade you to accompany me in a dance as well." Lord Clarence nodded to Amelia before leading Virginia away. Amelia could not help but feel thankful she had avoided a dance with him, despite allowing her poor cousin to learn what a terrible dancer who only cared for a woman's riches he was by herself.

Now free of anybody, Amelia decided she ought to start mingling and attempt to find a suitor, as per her father's request. She had spent the last season dancing with many a handsome gentleman, finding callers knocking at her door nearly every day, but had made no commitments to any. Her father had hinted that it was time she took things a little more seriously and, during her stay of the season with her aunt and uncle, end up with an engagement.

She was walking towards the refreshments table when she collided with the back of someone who had stepped backwards at the wrong moment.

"Oh!" An exclamation of surprise automatically escaped her as her feet stumbled.

"I do apologise!" The man spoke quickly as he turned around. "Are you quite all right?"

"Yes, yes, I must apologise as well for I was not looking where I was going," She waved away his apology with a smile. "I feel as though we must be introduced, after such a commotion."

"Henry Whitby, a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace." He gave a bow.

"You know of me? Now I feel even further embarrassment at such a terrible display on my part!" Amelia flushed red.

"There is no need to feel embarrassed! Unfortunately, many a worse incident has happened to me. I do blame my mother for my clumsy nature," Mr Whitby let out a laugh and Amelia could not help but feel at ease with him. He was a handsome man, with hair that was nearly red and a stature quite tall.

"Oh, but you should not say such things about your mother for I believe she would scold you if she were here." She joined him in his mirth.

"Ah, but I am her favourite son, so I am sure I would escape with only a look of disdain." He smiled and seemed ready to end the brief conversation.

However, Amelia had rather begun to like this Mr Whitby and so she rather boldly asked him to dance. He insisted that she need not subject herself to such a thing, but Amelia was stubborn, "There are no such thoughts on my part, for you do seem like an agreeable dance partner."

"Then, after such a compliment, I shall accept such a delightful proposal."