Lady Hastings' Second Season

Chapter Eleven

Amelia had just walked through the doors at the opera theatre when she was approached by a rather dashing young man.

"Lady Hastings?"

"I presume you are Lord Cavendish?" She eyed him.

"Indeed. Would you like to acquire some refreshments and introduce ourselves properly?" He offered her his arm.

"Certainly, for I know little of you but your name." Amelia spoke as they walked. "I had asked my friends about you but it seems you are a mysterious man."

"I would not say mysterious, but I do consider myself private. I feel no need to be acquainted with everyone and anyone." Lord Cavendish shrugged. Amelia frowned slightly, for she considered herself to be rather social.

"And yet, here you are with me."

"When your father mentioned you, I could not help but be intrigued."

"Ah, yes, my father. How did this arrangement come to be? I find it difficult to believe this was entirely your suggestion." Amelia stopped to look him directly in the eye. She already had her suspicions and all she needed was confirmation of her father's excessive meddling.

"I met him at a dinner party and you came up in conversation."

"That still does not explain as to why we are now attending the opera together." She replied stubbornly.

"I am not quite sure I can explain that either," He frowned. "Your father had told me you were in the countryside and so I had just presumed that it would be a while before we met, at a ball perhaps."

"I was sent a letter whilst I was away, demanding my presence at this very opera."

"I, too, was sent a similar letter, saying you wished to meet me here tonight." Now Lord Cavendish was looking very confused.

"Me? I do not even enjoy the opera! I find it to be most tedious." Amelia sighed. "I have to apologise on my father's behalf. He is quite determined that I find myself a suitor before the season ends."

"You are not at fault, so do not worry yourself. My mother would perhaps act in the same way," He smiled kindly at her before looking away, "It seems the show is about to begin."

"I suppose we ought to be seated then," Amelia said dejectedly as she watched the crowd around her dwindle.

"If you wish, we can remain here?" Lord Cavendish suggested. "You can tell your father that we did indeed attend the opera, and leave out the knowledge that we did not actually watch it." The idea was a rather devious one, and she was surprised Lord Cavendish had thought it.

"Do you not wish to see the performance?" She was rather surprised.

"It turns out that I am also not a fan of the opera." He shrugged.

"How funny it is that we have found ourselves in this situation!" Amelia leant back in her chair. Perhaps this evening would not be so horrible, the lack of opera greatly increasing that chance.

As time went on, and the music of the opera was heard faintly through the doors, Amelia discovered that she did not entirely mind Lord Cavendish and perhaps she ought to give him a chance. It did not mean she wished to marry him, of course.

"Tell me more about yourself, for as I said, my friends describe you as elusive."

"I have a good array of people around me, especially near my estate in Lancaster, where I reside mostly." He explained. "I only come to London for special occasions."

"Oh, I love London though!" Amelia smiled. "There is so much to do and it so lovely to be able to see any one of my friends at a moment's notice. But I do enjoy the countryside."

"How was your recent trip? Your father mentioned something about Devon."

"Yes, my good friend Lord Harrison was kind enough to host a riding party for a few days. It was great fun." The enjoyable memories flooded back, despite it being rather chaotic.

"Lord Harrison, did you say? I have yet to meet him, but I have seen him around in some gaming halls." Lord Cavendish pondered.

"He comes across quite stony when you first meet him but once you get to know him, he has a heart made of gold." Amelia's mind was brought back to when she first encountered him, and he had helped her escape from Lord Clarence.

"Perhaps you may introduce us sometime."

"Yes, of course! But I think you shall have to stay in London for a while longer to do so. Are you planning on remaining here?" She inquired.

"I had intended to leave tomorrow but perhaps I shall stay for another week or so. I feel as though I am yet to enjoy London fully."

"You could attend the upcoming ball at Lady Euston's," Amelia suggested. "It is not too far away." She could not believe that she had just invited a potential suitor. Perhaps her father may have some inkling.

"Will I see you there?" He asked, receiving a nod in reply. "Then I think I shall."

Amelia was brushing out her hair having returned home when she was ambushed by Virginia, "Did you have an enjoyable evening?"

"I suppose," Amelia shrugged. "We did not see the opera in the end so that made it more enjoyable."

"Whatever did you do instead?"

"We simply remained outside and spoke for the duration."

"By yourselves? How scandalous," Virginia grinned.

"Well, there were other people about, so we were not entirely alone, Ginny."

"This all sounds rather boring. Was Lord Cavendish at least good looking?"

"He had nice eyes, although not as handsome as-" Amelia had to cut herself off before the name tumbled from her lips. She had spoken without thinking and the words surprised her.

"Oh my! Is my dear Amelia finally realising what I have known for an age?" Virginia teased.

"Hush, Ginny. I was merely going to say as handsome as most men." But Amelia could not stop the blush from tainting her cheeks.

"Liar! You and I both know that Lord Harrison's name was the one you wished to speak!"

"It was not!" Amelia tried to deny it.

"Amelia, there is no point in trying to pretend that you are not in love with Edmund." Virginia spoke sternly.

"In love?! I think that is a step too far, Ginny!" She defended herself.

"So, you admit you admire him?" Her cousin persisted.

"I- I do not know," Amelia finally spoke, sighing. "I have never given it much thought, for he is in love with Lady Reading." Virginia let out a laugh,

"Of course he is not! It is as clear as day that the man only continues with that charade to keep you around,"

"But it has been months!"

"Exactly. He has fallen in love with you and does not know how else to keep you near him."

"Ginny, you are a wishful thinker. I think we ought to end this conversation for now, because nothing shall ever come of it." Amelia stood up from her dressing table and made her way over to her bed. As she readied for sleep, she desperately tried to put the image of Edmund out of her mind.

"If that is what you believe, then I shall leave it be for now. But, do not think that I will allow you to marry Lord Cavendish when you are in love with Edmund." Virginia said decisively.