Mrs Edwards was standing silently. She was not sure what to say. She wished Mr Edwards didn’t disappear with Mr Spencer and other gentlemen somewhere nowhere to be seen. Of course, it was all right as the older gentlemen rarely danced. Plus they would often come back with a dancer for the young ladies.

“Amelia, I have been looking for you,” Mrs Cavesham ran towards Amelia. She was one the few friends Amelia truly had. Her mother considered the bond a bit odd as Mrs Cavesham was more than ten years older and already with two children, but overall she approved.

“Mrs Edwards, what a lovely evening. I haven’t seen you for so long Amelia, you must visit us soon. Is your sister back?” Amelia nodded. When her friend started to talk like that, she knew there was no stopping her. The flood would take anything that was standing in its way.

“Yes, Jane is here. You must have seen her by the table with a punch. We were talking with Anthony when I was asked to dance.”

“I saw your dancing partner, who is it?” She heard rumours but looking at Mrs Edwards she felt that it was mother’s right to share the identity of a stranger.

“Master George of Norfolk,” she said and waved to her husband to join them. He was less than enthusiastic but knew better than resist. “Have you heard for the family?”

“Duke of Norfolk?” Mrs Spencer joined them before Mrs Cavesham had any chance to say a word.

“Duke of Norfolk?” Mrs Edwards repeated as if she didn’t hear the word in a first place, savouring the name on her tongue.

“He must be one of the sons. Duke of Norfolk has three if I am not mistaken,” Mrs Cavesham added not only to explain the situation but also to show how much she knows. The Caveshams were a rich family that could choose whether to stay in London the whole year or to keep at their country estate. It was just a matter of Mrs Cavesham preferring the countryside to the stifling London atmosphere and to a certain level the stifling presence of her husband. She thought all good things were supposed to come in measures. In the countryside, she was not often disturbed and the occasional separation contributed to the overall marital bliss.

“Mrs Edwards, may I steal your daughter for a dance?” Their somewhat productive discussion was interrupted by young Charles Mutton, a son from one of the local families. And Amelia, knowing that she was safe with Charles, was more than happy to be whisked away. She spent the evening dancing, sharing the time equally with their neighbours. But wherever she was, she kept searching the room for Master George of Norfolk.

The Edwards’ combined party were one of the last to leave. Partially because Mrs and Mr Edwards were enjoying Amelia being such a success, partially because for a long period of time Jane was nowhere to be found. Whenever Mrs Edwards was looking for her and asking any of her friends or Amelia, they confirmed she was standing in one corner or another, amicably chatting with someone, yet every time Mrs Edwards tried to locate her elder daughter she disappeared.

As if by a miracle, Jane appeared before Mrs Edwards had a chance to start to be suspicious. It was also the last chance for Anthony to ask Amelia to dance, something he promised her months ago when he first teased her about her very first ball.

And so they left when the music ended.

Mrs Edwards watched her smiling daughters in the couch. Maybe the Italian Lady was the best for Jane. She was not cut for London life. She was getting older for a marriage as well. Well, it could have been worse. She would now focus on Amelia who clearly became her next best chance.

“I haven’t realised that you are such an accomplished dancer, Amelia.” The whole evening Mrs Spencer watched Amelia like a hawk. She assessed the girl thinking hard if she wanted to have another London season. From the smiles Amelia shared around, this one was more fit for her purpose. She was sure that Amelia’s beauty and good nature could open more doors than Jane’s shyness.

“Thank you, aunt, it was such a lovely evening.”

“Lovely evening, indeed. But just wait for the London gatherings, they are completely different.”

“I am sure it must be completely different society, after all, here we are just among family and friends,” Mrs Edwards mused.

“It is a whole new world,” Mrs Spencer nodded.

“Balls are balls everywhere. Anyway, I do think Amelia is a little young to be lured away to London,” Mr Edwards intervened. That was it - once he said something, it was given. There was no point to argue or to point out it was Mr Edwards who was worried who his daughters would marry. Especially as he didn’t plan to offer much of dowry.

Mrs Edwards was still keen on talking about the newest gossip but it was something in Mr Edwards voice that stopped her from speaking and so the rest of the short journey ended up in silence.