A/N I don't own the characters in this story. If you want proof, you can find references to this incident in TSP. Read "The Fisherman's Rest", "The Outrage", "In The Opera Box", and "Lord Grenville's Ball".
(To all SP fans out there who are as obsessed as I) This two-shot is book sourced. I am aware that in the '82 movie, Hastings' first name is Timothy. In the books it's Edward. Much as I like the movies, the books take precedence. When a major studio consents to make an SP movie MY way, then I will consent to care about character's movie names :)
Enjoy!
Lord Grenville's Ball
Little Suzanne flitted away towards her mother. My Lord Hastings, who had just danced a gavotte with her, was discussing her merits with Lord Antony Dewhurst.
"A demmed lucky man is Sir Andrew, what?" said Hastings with a chuckle, "She's got the pluckiest eyes in England! Lud! The last Frenchy I "escorted" was a sixty year old man! Don't think he had eyes anymore."
"Tush man!" warned Dewhurst, with feeling, "I say! we're hardly alone!"
The ballroom at Lord Grenville's London house was quite full of merry young people dancing the night away, and to speak of such things as the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel was to ask for far more attention than either young man could at that moment afford.
Hastings face fell somewhat, but Lord Tony went on merrily, "Odd's life, but you're right about that little lass's eyes! What a gentle vixen for Sir Andrew! At the Rest she even had pluck enough to defy that dowager mother of hers."
"Ah yes! The Rest!" said Lord Edward, eagerly grasping Lord Tony's arm, "You haven't yet told me about your daring escape."
Tony scanned the room surreptitiously, "It was hardly that. . ." he murmured, "And anyway. . . Zounds man! you know orders!" His recent experience had made Tony rather more careful than it had previously been his wont to be. Lord Grenville's ballroom was hardly the place for a piece of clandestine storytelling. But. . . then again. . . he didn't see Chauvelin - that little rat! - no doubt Percy was keeping him well busy. So perhaps. . . perhaps, it would be safe.
"Well. . ." said Tony, still looking cautiously around, "Alright, Hastings. Let's find a quiet corner."