Lady Hastings' Second Season

Chapter Five

Dear Amelia,

This is a formal invitation for you and Lady Pennington to visit my Devon estate for a weekend of riding. If you desire, you may each bring a guest. I shall be leaving tomorrow morning in preparation. I do hope that you are both able to come as it would not be quite as enjoyable without.

Sincerely,

Edmund 

After reading Edmund's letter the next day, Amelia excitedly showed it to her cousin and they immediately began to devise what they would take with them. They continued to discuss whether Amelia ought to take her beloved stallion until one of Virginia's suitors arrived for a stroll round the park, with Amelia to act as chaperone.

Amelia was aware of Lord Bridge as he had been Virginia's most consistent caller and she had mentioned his name many a time, gushing about how interesting he was. However, Amelia could not quite see eye to eye with her cousin for, although Lord Bridge was handsome and wealthy, he seemed to have the personality of his namesake; wooden. She found it difficult to believe that Virginia would wish to marry such a man but she did not want to create friction with her dearest friend and so she said nothing. Perhaps she ought to talk to him and she might see the potential that Virginia did.

Either way, acting as chaperone and listening to their dull conversation about lord knows what as she walked at a respectable distance did not appeal to Amelia in the slightest. So, when she spotted a familiar house, she took the opportunity to stop the party of two ahead of her and ask if she might inquire at the residence to see if the owner was home and willing to join the walk.

She knocked on the door and was immediately greeted by the butler, "Good morning, My Lady."

"Hello, I was wondering if perhaps Mr Whitby was currently at home?" Amelia inquired, unable to stop herself from peering round the door.

"May I have your card please?" He moved to block her view.

"Oh, yes, of course." She fished it out of her handbag and passed it to him just before the door was shut and Amelia managed to call out, "Please inform him that it is urgent!"

A minute later, the door reopened with a worried looking Mr Whitby behind it, "Lady Hastings! Are you all right?"

"Quite! I did not mean to make you worry, it is just that I am ever so bored acting as chaperone to Ginny and I was wondering if you wished to accompany me in a walk? However, it is imperative that you decide with haste as she is getting rather annoyed," Amelia looked back at her cousin, only to receive a glare at the interruption.

"A walk? Now?" Mr Whitby seemed bewildered. "I suppose I cannot leave you bored; let me fetch my coat and I shall join you."

"I am thoroughly grateful!" Amelia thanked him with delight, leaving him to get his things and returning to Virginia and Lord Bridge. "He has agreed to accompany us!"

After introductions were made, Mr Whitby and Amelia separated from Lord Bridge and Virginia, following a small distance behind them as they walked. "Now, before we begin to talk, I must insist you call me Amelia as I have given Edmund the same privilege." 

"Have you indeed? I suppose you ought to want to call me by Henry then?" He raised an eyebrow, but Amelia could see the glint of humour in his eye.

"I do."

"Very well then, you may."

"Thank you, Henry. Oh, I did mean to inquire as to whether you were planning to attend Edmund's riding party?" Amelia changed the subject.

"I dare say it would take a lot for me to miss it! Riding is my favourite pastime." 

"How splendid to hear! I feared I would be alone with my thoughts as Edmund tries to woo Lady Reading and Ginny has invited Lord Bridge." She paused for a second before asking, "Are you to bring a guest as well?"

"I could not, for then you would be by yourself!" Henry laughed as Amelia lit up with happiness.

"It shall be such a fun weekend, I cannot wait to go!"

And, indeed, Amelia could not wait to go, which is why she and Virginia set off a day early for Devon.

"I hardly think it necessary to arrive a day before the party begins," Virginia grumbled as the carriage set off.

"Oh, shush." Amelia ignored her cousin, peering out the window as they left London.

"Whatever shall you say to Lord Harrison when we spring ourselves upon him?"

"Edmund shan't mind, I will help him to organise the days out," She answered.

"Hmm," Virginia did not seem convinced, but she let the subject go, "I am ever so excited to see Lord Bridge again, I wonder if he does feel the same way."

"I am sure he dotes on you as much as you do on him." Amelia dismissed her with a sigh, "I am ever so glad that Henry is not bringing a guest, otherwise I would not have known what to do with myself, all alone." She was reminded of how glad she was that her friend was attending.

"You must be careful not to lead him on, for I do believe Mr Whitby has feelings for you." Virginia stated casually whilst fixing her hair and so Amelia did not know whether to believer her or not.

"What a ridiculous idea, Ginny! We are simply friends." 

"Now, do not say you have not noticed the way he is so fond of you?"

"Fond of our friendship, perhaps!"

"Amelia, you shall have to have a word with him if you do not feel the same way. He is too lovely to be hurt." Virginia instructed her cousin. "Trust me, I have been to enough balls with you to know when a gentleman is interested in your affections."

"Do you really think I ought to?" After receiving a nod, Amelia began to overthink the conversations and letters that had been exchanged between her and Henry. "Perhaps, when he arrives, I shall."