The Suitor List

by Shirley Marks

  "So that bit of news must be true if you got it from your lady's maid." Augusta would not allow herself to be manipulated by servants' gossip. She poured a portion of milk into a Meissen china cup before dispensing her tea.

  "It's not just the servants, Augusta. I heard Mama tell Papa the very same this morning before I left" Lizzie steadied her cup and its contents.

  "And where do you think your mother got her information?" Augusta asked her, all the while knowing what the answer would be.

  Lizzie blinked and twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, considering the question. "I don't know exactly. I suppose she must have heard it or been told by one of the ... servants"

  "You see" Augusta leveled a stern look at the trio. "It is just as I said. Until we hear from Miss Leigh or her family we cannot assume this hearsay is true"

  "That is not the way things are done in Town, Gusta!" Miriam reprimanded her cousin in a tone that told her she was being childish. Augusta somehow endured Miriam's need to play a maternal role to her younger cousin of only two months.

  "Do you mean to tell me that we are to believe every servant's tale?" Augusta furrowed her brows at Miriam, who looked quite taken aback. "Is that how we go about-believing every thread of gossip?"

  "It is knowledge to forewarn us. We do not wish to appear foolish, do we?" she returned with equal temper. "To not know what is going on about us is far worse than having to pretend we do not know."

  Augusta turned to catch Emily's and Lizzie's reaction to Miriam's pronouncement.

  "I consider Sir Albert completely unsuitable. I shan't receive him." Augusta pushed a bouquet of flowers aside, refusing to acknowledge their presence, as if they embodied Sir Albert himself. "He will be barred from entering the house should he dare to call."

  "I'm afraid he might dare," was Emily's timid reply. "Richard told me he had heard Sir Albert felt compelled to seek out your favor."

  "The roue!" Miriam must have found Sir Albert's action as repulsive as Augusta had. "How could he think you'd accept him after breaking his engagement to Miss Leigh?"

  "I cannot possibly forgive him-that odious fortune hunter!" Augusta agreed. "And speaking of Richard, where has he been keeping himself? In Miss Skeffington's pocket, I presume."

  "Where else?"

  "Are they to wed at last?" Miriam set her cup and saucer on the table.

  "Their marriage was arranged long ago, but it was Richard's wish that Olivia enjoy a Season before they marry," Emily told Miriam and Lizzie.

  "I think that is very considerate of him." Augusta knew Richard to be a fair, dutiful, and indisputably reliable person. "We should all do well to find a gentleman as thoughtful as your brother."

  "But Gusta, you are so fortunate to have so many admirers." Emily motioned to the flowers lining the room. "I'm quite sure each and every gentleman would do what they must to gain your favor."

  "Your family connection alone is-"

  "Please, Miriam, Gusta is not here to find a business associate but her heart," Emily interrupted. Thankfully she completely understood Augusta's predicament.

  "And how should I ever make such a momentous decision as that by the end of the Season? That comes in less than one week's time."

  Although she had only attended a single function, Augusta could imagine the complications if there were a repeat of last night-too many gentlemen and so little time.

  "Lord Fieldstone is only one of many gentlemen seeking your attention," Miriam reminded her cousin. "It is well enough to cross Sir Albert off your list to make room for others"

  The others. The thought of all those gentlemen, with the exception of Sir Albert, made Augusta feel a bit humbled. Was she truly worthy of all this attention?

  "What's wrong, Gusta?" Miriam teased. "Do you not think you can manage this many men?"

  Augusta felt her face warm and resisted pressing her cheeks. She would not give her cousin the satisfaction of seeing her do so.

  "I should like to try." Lizzie grinned.

  "Oh, Lizzie, you are shameful!" Miriam giggled.

  "Just a bit, and only very infrequently," Lizzie admitted, with her smile taking on a naughty air.

  "I will agree that Lord Fieldstone has a great deal to recommend him." Surely Augusta could not make such an important decision in the matter of a few days. "It may come to pass that we do not suit."

  "Not suit? Are you mad?" Miriam nearly jumped out of her seat. "Who would ever think not to consider his suit?"

  "I never said a word about refusing him." Augusta remained calm, hoping her demeanor would keep her cousin so. "I am merely taking each day and each event as it comes. Despite my initial impressions of what I would find when I came to Town, it seems I am quite enjoying myself ... the dancing and the gentlemen's attentions ... and I cannot see why I cannot continue to do so. Matrimony, at this time, is not my primary concern"

  That evening, after the second dance set of the Kimball ball, Augusta stood to one side of the dance floor watching the sparkling reflections from crystal chandeliers hanging high above the rented hall. Still catching her breath from the last dance, she took a few moments to savor the sounds of the guests moving about and the murmurs of their conversations that filled the room.

  She felt beautiful in her fine white striped muslin gown with its shimmering overskirt, her hair styled just so with cascading curls framing her face, and her mother's gold locket around her neck. Augusta fully intended to enjoy herself this night.

  Aunt Penny had told Augusta they would be attending a small dinner party tomorrow night, then next week a musical soiree. Augusta could also count on another drive through the park with Sir Warren. That he had promised her this very evening. Then there were gentlemen callers-plentiful enough-but there was something unpleasant about all those men wanting her attention all at the same time ... well, it was impossible!

  "Does one ever tire of hearing how charming or how lovely one is?" Emily laughed, coming upon Augusta. "I enjoy the attention, as do you, I am quite sure"

  Augusta had just finished a set with Lord Carlton Wingate, and had, before the music began, made the acquaintance of Lord Andrews. Lord Andrews seemed to be a kindly elderly man. She guessed him to be much older than her father.

  "Oh, look, Gusta-see who approaches" Emily dropped her fan open and fluttered it, cooling them both.

  Augusta turned. "Lord Fieldstone, how delightful to see you again!" She had to admit that she was flattered by his interest. And oh, how serious he appeared.

  He made one of his from-the-waist bows, which made her feel very special indeed. "I had stopped by to call this afternoon but never made it to the front door. What a crush of callers you had!"

  "I'm afraid there were far too many. I am so sorry to have missed you."

  "Perhaps if I were to come another time, say a bit earlier ... tomorrow at eleven or better yet ... ten in the morning," he suggested and ventured further by proposing, "I could escort you and your aunt on a shopping expedition?"

  How considerate he was to offer.

  "And I would, of course, have you home in time to receive your other callers."

  "That sounds splendid. I shall look forward to your visit, as should my aunt, I expect."

  "Until tomorrow, then" With a second delicious bow he retreated. Augusta watched him leave through the main doors. There, entering the room, she noticed a particular gentleman.

  For shame, she thought, how easily her head turned when a handsome young man was about.

  The color of his hair and the shape of his face were familiar to her. She stood across the room, much too far away to guess his identity.

  Certainly he was well-dressed, as were all the males in attendance ... tall ... and quite handsome-oh, dear ... Augusta looked closer to see if it was indeed who she thought it was-Richard ... Richard Wilbanks?

  She could hardly believe how grown he appeared, how quite handsome, and now, he headed in her direction.

  "Come now, Gusta," Richard said to her
when he arrived. "You will certainly not take if you present this Friday-faced dowd to the ton."

  "Richard, you are being rude," Emily scolded.

  The sight of him dressed in a splendidly tailored black coat and trousers took her breath away. Never had he looked so grown. He stood before her not as the young lad she had always thought of but as a man.

  "You should be kind to her," his sister urged. "Say something nice. Something that will make her feel wonderful and pretty"

  "Gusta!" Richard nearly shouted, for Augusta was not paying attention to him.

  "I beg your pardon?" What had he said to her?

  "Do you perchance have a dance available?" he asked, attempting to keep the begrudging tone from his query, without success. "Emily insists we share a dance."

  She didn't have to check. Augusta knew she did not have a dance available. "I'm sorry. Perhaps if you would have asked earlier."

  "Ah, you see?" He leaned close and whispered. "You are the ever-lovely Char-Char's sister, are you not? These men, too, will soon be falling at your feet" He stepped back and gave a slight bow. "It is my misfortune, then. Perhaps next time?"

  "Next time, sir." Augusta dipped into a shallow curtsy and watched him leave.

  "Sir? Gusta, that is Richard." Emily prodded her with the end of her fan.

  "Yes, I know it is Richard. I've just never seen him so ... so . . "Augusta stared in his direction, thinking ... thinking nothing in particular, merely gazing at his retreating form.

  "He was only trying to be polite. He's now about to inquire after Miss Skeffington. See her there, standing with her mother and your aunt Lady Kimball?"

  Miss Olivia Skeffington seemed quite pretty. She swept the skirts of her peach-colored gown aside to address her intended when he approached. If she possessed in manners what she possessed in beauty, Richard would be a very lucky man indeed. And above all, Augusta did want to see her friend happy.

  Richard returned with Miss Skeffington's arm draped through his. "Miss Skeffington wishes to pay her regards."

  "How nice it is to see you again," Augusta said to Richard's lady.

  "It has been a very long time. We were mere children the last we met" Miss Skeffington's blue eyes widened as if in shock. "You are quite grown and even more lovely than I recall. Why, Richard, you never told me she was so beautiful."

  "I-I-" he stammered, clearly caught off guard. He stared at Augusta as if he had been caught admiring her.

  "You are going to ask her to dance, are you not?" Miss Skeffington prompted.

  "Emily has already had me inquire," he supplied. "Unfortunately, Lady Augusta is occupied for the entire evening-and if I am not mistaken, happily so"

  Yes, Augusta was quite pleased to take part in every set.

  "I should not think it improper for you to dance with her at all ," Miss Skeffington continued. "Why, I would think dancing with her should be nearly the same as sharing a dance with your own sister."

  "Perhaps next time I will prove more fortunate. Shall we, my dear?" He pivoted to lead her away. "If you will excuse us, ladies?"

  In another moment Emily's dance partner arrived and Lord Perkins claimed his dance with Augusta. Standing in the ladies' line across from him, she could not suppress the strange mixture of dissatisfaction and envy that rose within her.

  The musical interlude began and couples moved onto the floor, Richard and Miss Skeffington among them. Augusta glimpsed them step around one another as they came together in the steps of the dance. The couple gazed upon one another comfortably, their mouths moving in pleasant conversation. The private, shy smiles they shared should not have been observed by anyone.

  "I say, Lady Augusta ... ," Lord Perkins addressed her, but his words passed unnoticed.

  Augusta fully realized she should pay attention but simply could not. Something unwanted and unexpected filled her while watching Richard and Miss Skeffington.

  It was of no consequence to Augusta that she had missed out on the majority of this Season's festivities. She had no true interest in finding a husband and marrying. None of it had mattered until this very moment.

  Now that she had seen Richard and Miss Skeffington ... the sight of them together, sharing pleasant, amiable company, displayed to Augusta exactly what it was she desired.

  At that moment Augusta knew what she must do. She needed to find a husband. A suitable husband whose company she could enjoy and a man who could make her feel comfortable and fully at ease.

  She blinked up at the very handsome, delightfully charming Lord Perkins and imagined how it would feel if she were in love with him.

  Augusta hadn't felt any such thing but wished the emotion would rise within her. Then she wondered if it would with any of the men she'd met. Her gaze swept the room for the gentlemen with whom she'd recently become acquainted.

  Without meaning to she had, in manner of course, made somewhat of a personal list of eligibles, even ranked them in order of preference. How could she prevent doing so with Emily, Lizzie, and Miriam weighing the merit and measure of every man Augusta met?

  Augusta would make this secret list of gentlemen, keep it to herself, and with it she would search among them for her husband.

  Not only had Lord Fieldstone proved to be a splendid companion, he spared no expense spoiling Augusta and her aunt during the next morning's shopping expedition. Aunt Penny would not allow him to purchase a dashing straw-chip bonnet for Augusta. However, he managed to procure the green ribbon and silk flowers for its embellishment, and made her promise to give him an opportunity to view the results when she had finished decorating her hat.

  An outcome Augusta found very promising indeed. Upon their return to Worth House, Lord Fieldstone bid them both a fond adieu and sketched a bow before taking his leave. Augusta saw him to the door herself. She leaned against the open portal and tugged at the fingers of her gloves, removing them. She watched the Viscount move down the front steps, admiring the fit of his trousers and the precise cut of his coat with his departure.

  No sooner had Lord Fieldstone turned from the house than Emily, Lizzie, and cousin Miriam came up the front walk.

  He paused and stepped to one side, allowing them to pass. He tipped his hat and acknowledged them with "Ladies ... "

  At the baritone timbre of his voice, an expression of rapture spread across their faces and, most probably, weakened their knees beneath their fashionable walking gowns.

  "That was Viscount Fieldstone!" Lizzie said in a voice that must have echoed off every residence of Hanover Square. "Augusta is so very lucky that he has shown interest in her"

  Augusta might have felt self-conscious about the proclamation if it hadn't been true. She wasn't sure that shouting in the middle of Town would have been her method of alerting the inhabitants of the news.

  Augusta drew them into the house by their arms, skirts, sleeves, reticules-whatever she managed to get ahold of-and closed the door.

  Emily pressed her hand to her lips but she was far from managing to suppress her laughter.

  Miriam's gaze slid to Augusta before commenting, "Did you not think Gusta and Lord Fieldstone were the most handsome couple on the floor last night?"

  Emily closed her eyes and allowed her held breath to escape with a sigh. "I have heard that he has managed to successfully evade the marriage mart, holding out for his perfect bride!"

  "Lady Augusta, that could be you!" Lizzie shrilled.

  Fieldstone's viscountess? Even Augusta thought it too soon to travel down that path. After giving the sub ject a few moments of consideration, the notion had some appeal, and she could not deny her attraction to him.

  Lord Fieldstone was most impressive-handsome, well-mannered, and well-spoken. He could easily walk away with Augusta's heart if she were to permit it. However, there were other gentlemen to consider before she needed to choose a husband-and besides, he had yet to ask her.

  If the decision were left to Miriam, Lizzie, and Emily, Lord Fieldstone was the most desirable and he
would be the man Augusta would marry.

  Augusta might have agreed with them, but it was impossible for her to know if he were her choice until they were better acquainted. She did not wish to wed a complete stranger.

  How circumstances had changed. Miriam, Lizzie, and Emily gossiped and giggled while Augusta felt the full importance of her presence in Town. It was not to strictly enjoy herself but to engage a gentleman through her flirtations. She needed to attract the right sort of gentleman, one who would make an ideal husband. All of a sudden she felt her girlish silliness fall by the wayside, replaced by the notion that she was quite grown up.

  Emily, Lizzie, and Miriam brought Augusta near, into their confidential coze to discuss the recent gossip they'd heard last night and that very morning from their servants.

  Augusta listened to how Miss Constance GreenfieldJones tried to catch the eye of the obscenely rich Lord Arthur Masters and how Lord Crandall had begged off his engagement to the lovely Lady Catherine Willows, who, by his estimation, was not as lovely as Lady Augusta Worth. He gave the excuse that he could not, in good conscience, shackle himself to her without first offering himself for judgment to the Duke of Faraday's daughter.

  As if Augusta could be tempted by such a blackguard. And if Lady Catherine possessed any self-respect or the smallest amount of activity under her bonnet, she would not even acknowledge him when he returned to beg her forgiveness. Such behavior was not to be borne.

  Augusta wasn't sure how long this grown-up-Augusta would last, but the fun and frivolity of the girl-Augusta seemed to ebb. She now felt quite serious in her pursuit of a suitable man.

  How she wished that she, too, could still believe life could remain all fun and frolic.

  That evening, Augusta, her cousin Miriam, and Mrs. Parker attended a dinner party at Lord and Lady Sutherland's. Apparently, Lady Sutherland thought that Augusta's attendance would ensure a number of eligible gentlemen for her own unattached daughter, Miss Emma Sutherland.

  Far more males than females attended, which appeared a bit odd especially if one considered that Augusta's cousin Miriam and Earl Dawson were already engaged. The remaining gentlemen fell all over themselves competing for time with the remaining two unattached young ladies. Correction: they made absolute cakes of themselves vying for Augusta's attention and ignoring Miss Sutherland altogether.