Lady Hastings' Second Season

Chapter Thirteen

As soon as Henry walked into the parlour where Virginia was waiting, she wasted no time, "Do you believe Edmund to be in love with Lady Reading?"

It took Henry a second or two to comprehend the question, but he did answer, "No, I do not." He sat down opposite his guest, "I have not heard him mention her name for months." Virginia nodded, pleased. "I presume you are now going to ask me whether he is in love with Amelia?"

"Ah, you are very perceptive, Henry," Virginia smiled. "Yes, I do wish to know your thoughts on the matter, for I have seen the way he looks at my cousin and I cannot say it is only as a friend."

"I agree." He thought about it a bit more, "In fact, I would say that he has had feelings for Amelia for quite some time."

"And she has just admitted to me that she also feels something more than she would if they were merely friends." She added.

"Interesting. I suppose you believe we ought to help them?" Henry smiled, already reading Virginia's mind.

"Exactly. Amelia has helped many a couple come together and yet seems rather inept when it regards herself."

"I am not sure Edmund will be too pleased with us meddling." He supplied but had a grin on his face that suggested he did not care if his friend disagreed with a helping hand.

"Well, he shall be none too pleased if Amelia marries Lord Cavendish!" Virginia exclaimed.

"How do you suggest we go about this? If Edmund knows of this plan, he will become rather stubborn."

"Lady Euston's ball is tomorrow night and Amelia has told me that Lord Cavendish is attending. His presence alone should hopefully spur Edmund into taking some action. But I shall provide words of encouragement to Amelia anyhow, and if you could do the same with Edmund?" Virginia laid out her well-thought through plan.

"That sounds like an excellent idea, although as far as I am aware, Edmund is not currently attending. But leave that to me, I am sure I will be able to convince him."

Henry got the chance to put the plan in motion when he stopped by Edmund's residence that evening.

"Hello! Do not mind me, I just came to see you to ask you to do me a favour!" He walked cheerfully into Edmund's study, disrupting his friend.

"And what favour might this be?" Edmund raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"I will be needing a friend tomorrow night at Lady Euston's ball."

"Why?"

"Because I promised my dear mother that I would go, and I do not wish to suffer alone." Henry helped himself to some whisky as he remained nonchalant.

"You could not ask anyone else?" Edmund groaned. "I do not wish to go to another ball this season, for they are all so utterly boring."

"I have asked everyone else; Thomas and Archie were busy, Virginia will be with Lord Bridge, and Amelia will be with Lord Cavendish, so you see I will be quite lonely." Henry snuck in a mention of Amelia casually, and it seemed to do the trick for Edmund immediately stiffened in his seat.

"Fine. I shall come. But we shall leave early." He compromised.

"Thank you, old chap," Henry gave his friend a pat on the shoulder before heading out the door, "See you tomorrow!"

Edmund really did not wish to go to Lady Euston's ball, but his curiosity got the better of him and he was eager to meet Lord Cavendish.

As soon as Edmund and Henry entered the ballroom, Edmund's eyes began searching and they did not stop until her saw her. Amelia was wearing a dark emerald green dress that emphasised her slim waist. Edmund had to push away the memory of what it felt like to have his hands on her curves and instead focused on who she was with. He let out a breath of relief when he saw she was accompanied by her cousin and Lord Bridge, no Lord Cavendish in sight.

"What do you say we get ourselves some refreshments?" Henry spoke, having watched his friend be mesmerised by Amelia for long enough.

Edmund cleared his throat and turned back to Henry, "Yes, that seems like a good idea,"

Whilst they were helping themselves to drinks, Amelia, Virginia, and Lord Bridge came to join them.

"Hello, gentlemen! I was unaware you were coming tonight but it is a wonderful surprise," Amelia smiled, as Virginia and Ralph also greeted them.

"Henry's mother insisted, and he was convinced he would be bored without my company," Edmund explained, trying not to let his voice give away the real reason he had decided to attend; for Amelia.

"Indeed, I had little choice." Henry groaned slightly before lighting up, "Say, Amelia, is your dance card quite full? If I was to dance with at least one lady, I am sure my mother would be placated."

"Of course, I shall save my last dance for you!" Amelia agreed whilst Virginia sent Henry a confused look. He was supposed to be helping Edmund with Amelia, not himself!

"Excellent. And when shall we meet this Lord Cavendish of yours?" Henry inquired teasingly.

"Henry! He is not mine," She scolded. "And I do not know where he is, but I have promised him a dance for if I did not, I am afraid father might kill me!"

"Perhaps one of the gentlemen you dance with tonight will be a better match," Virginia suggested.

"Ah, speaking of which, I believe I am wanted," Amelia said as she watched the next gentleman on her dance card walk towards her. "I shall see you later everybody, and do not forget our dance, Henry!"

As everyone dispersed from the group, Virginia managed to catch Henry, "Do you have a plan?"

"Yes, yes," He nodded. "You must trust me. Edmund would have never offered to dance with her for he hates it but I have thought of a way to make him,"

"I suppose I have no choice but to trust you then," Virginia was doubtful but she had no better ideas and so she allowed Henry to go, putting her meagre confidence in him.

For most of the ball, Edmund found himself alone. Henry, despite having told him that he would be bored by himself, had disappeared with some lady. Virginia and Ralph were busy accepting felicitations from various attendees and so Edmund was forced to watch Amelia dance with handsome lord after handsome lord. He had no idea who, if any, were Lord Cavendish, and even if he did know, he was not sure what he would have even done with the knowledge.

But then Amelia was walking towards him, with her hand tucked into the arm of a tall man and a smile on her face, and Edmund's stomach dropped slightly, for he was quite sure this was Lord Cavendish.