Lady Hastings' Second Season

Chapter Seven

The guests began to slowly trickle in around noon and though Amelia was introduced to some new people, she was quite excited to see familiar faces so when Mr Whitby walked into the parlour she nearly leapt out of her chair with enthusiasm, "Henry!"

"I daresay I have never received such a warm welcome," He laughed, giving her hand a quick kiss.

"I have been waiting for someone I know to come, for Ginny is no longer good company now that Lord Bridge has arrived." Amelia glanced over to the corner where Virginia was flirting quite obviously.

"I see; well, shall we sit?" The two of them moved to a corner and spoke for a while, with Amelia telling him how she had arrived a day early, but she made sure to leave any mention of falls out of the conversation. After a while, they were joined by Mr Bancroft and Lord Castor who had travelled from London together. Amelia caught the eye of her cousin who gave her a stern look reminding her to talk to Henry, but she ignored Virginia for it was not the right time for such a conversation.

There was no riding on the first day as all the guests were arriving at different times so everyone played cards in little groups before dinner. Amelia and Virginia had noticed that Lady Reading had yet to appear and they were talking quietly about whether she would at all when the butler announced the very subject of their concern. They watched with excitement as Edmund quickly went over to greet Lady Reading before taking her around the room to introduce her to everyone else.

"What a pleasure to see you again," Amelia reached out to hold her hand as Lady Reading and Edmund approached them.

"Indeed," Lady Reading smiled politely. "Perhaps we will have more time to get to know each other this weekend?"

"We shall make sure of it!" Virginia replied enthusiastically whilst Amelia nodded. It was at that moment that everyone was called to dinner and so, as Amelia moved past Edmund, she gave him a nudge and an instructing look. She was pleased to hear him ask Lady Reading if he might escort her to the table. Little did he know that Amelia had also planned the seating arrangement with the help of Sybil, and that he might be pleased to find out who was sitting next to him.

Dinner was lively as Amelia was sat next to Lord Castor who kept her very entertained with tales of the awkward encounters he had experienced with women at balls. Of course, Amelia had her own stories to tell and the two of them got on splendidly, perhaps laughing the most of anyone at the table. She was still very aware that Virginia wished her to speak with Henry but the dinner table was hardly the most appropriate place and so she waited until everyone had retired to different rooms.

"Henry, may I speak alone with you for a moment?" She called to him before he could disappear with the other gentlemen.

"Certainly; I do hope you are all right?" He looked concerned as they took a seat.

"There is something I must ask you, but I am not quite sure how to do so."

"I find that it is always best just to simply ask," He smiled encouragingly.

"All right then, I suppose. Henry, I wish to know if you have feelings for me?" Amelia said quickly. He was taken aback, shuffling in his chair.

"Ah, now I find myself in the predicament of not knowing how to reply..." Henry mumbled to himself before taking her hand gently, "Amelia," He started in an apologetic tone, "You know I think a great deal of you and I'm very thankful that you are my friend. However, that is all you are to me." He seemed hesitant as if he was letting her down.

"Oh, thank heavens above! Ginny was convinced that you were somehow in love with me!" Amelia let out a gasp of relief.

"I am afraid that is untrue," He laughed, "But I am glad that this has all been sorted!"

"Honestly, Ginny can be quite imaginative, but she would not have let me leave this trip without asking you! I wish you to know that I am so appreciative of our friendship, as you said." Amelia gave his hand a grateful squeeze.

"Shall we return to the others before they begin to think that we are anything other than dear friends?" Henry stood, offering his arm for her to take.

"Yes, yes," She hastily followed him.

However, such thoughts were already implanting themselves in the mind of someone who was rather observant. Edmund had noticed that Amelia and Henry were absent, and he also noticed them walk into the room together with smiles on their faces. He was curious but knew that Henry would tell him if there was anything he ought to be informed of so Edmund ignored any questions he had.

As the host, Edmund tried his hardest to be the last to go to bed, but the urge to sleep began to take over and so he had to leave the last few stragglers in the parlour and head to his chambers.

Suddenly, as he was trying to quietly walk down the hallway, Amelia's head appeared from behind a door.

"Dear lord, you gave me a fright!" He attempted to whisper but it was nearly a shout.

"Sorry," She apologised hurriedly. "I had thought you to be Ginny; she has not yet come up."

"She is still downstairs, with Lord Bridge I believe." Edmund informed her.

"Oh." Amelia looked a little worried.

"Would you like me to go and fetch her for you as you are not dressed?" The lace of her nightgown was showing as Amelia's head and shoulders were in view.

She nodded, "Her mother would kill me for letting her sit with him unchaperoned when they are the last few awake, thank you, Edmund."

It did not take long for Edmund to find Virginia, as she and Lord Bridge were almost the last two up.

"My Lady, your cousin was becoming curious as to why you were taking so long to come upstairs but now I see," He gave a nod towards Lord Bridge.

"I shall be there soon," Virginia blushed.

"I think it best if I escort you upstairs now, before you are the last to go to bed." Edmund offered his hand to her, trying not to let his tiredness show. Virginia sighed and stood up, turning to face her fancy with a smile,

"Goodnight, My Lord. I shall see you on the morrow."

"I do not see why Amelia is so imprudent as to not allow me to be alone with Lord Bridge. It is not as if I stop her whenever she sits with Mr Whitby," Virginia grumbled as Edmund accompanied her up the stairs.

"She is simply worried for you, is all." The questions he had had before came up again, but he pushed them aside as it was too late for such a matter, "I shall leave you here, goodnight.