Augusta sat, perching on the edge of the green-leaf patterned sofa, and arranged her skirt on the seat. Then she stood and paced to the window. Then she returned to the sofa, resettling her skirts, and tried to calm herself by counting the fruit on the wall.
She couldn't sit; she couldn't count. Augusta once again began to pace. She turned to walk back across the room toward the open door.
Lord Fieldstone was about to propose marriage. She was to be Viscount Fieldstone's ... wife. Did the thought please her? Make her feel anxious? Terrified?
"Richard!" she cried out when she caught sight of him passing by the open door.
He halted and doubled back to her. "Gusta? What are you doing in there?"
"Please, don't leave," Augusta pleaded, nearly begging him. She probably would have if he had refused. "Stay with me. I'm waiting for ... He's to arrive any moment now. I-"
"Who?" Richard stepped into the room, closer to her.
"Lord Fieldstone ... he's already spoken with Father." What did she expect Richard to do? Hold her hand? Tell her she and the Viscount would make a perfect match? Did she even wish to hear those words from him?
Perhaps she wanted her good friend to promise that she would find as much contentment with her viscount as he had found with his fiancee, Miss Skeffington.
"He-" Richard stilled, and she'd never seen him look this serious. "Viscount Fieldstone, is it?"
Richard's presence had a calming effect on Augusta, and she was gratified he chose, of his own accord, to remain with her.
"I must wish you happy, then. If he is your choice, that is. He is a most fortunate man"
"Is he?" Her voice sounded weak even to her.
"Indeed he is." Although Richard's words were polite, Augusta could not believe he meant them.
"I'm not so sure" She confided in him-her longtime neighbor and childhood friend. "Could I marry someone who does not laugh?" Coaxing a smile from him on a daily basis would be a chore.
"From what I hear, you would need to tolerate his lack of humor."
Augusta stared at Richard, waiting for another comment, some wise words that might help her make the important decision regarding Lord Fieldstone's offer.
At that moment she did not see Richard as her friend and confidant. She studied his ruffled, light brown hair and his green eyes. He had always been there for her, when she was afraid or when she had gotten hurt. Augusta had never realized she relied on him so.
Only since she'd seen him in London had she realized just how handsome he was, how very-
What was happening to her? She had no idea why these strange thoughts were coming to her-especially now with an offer of marriage imminent.
"Take my hand," she whispered, sounding desperate. Augusta needed some stability. He reached out to her and she snapped, "No, don't touch me" She feared she might do something, say something rash in her confusion.
"I was just thinking back to when we were seven years old. Remember when we chased one another around the gardens, outrunning our siblings? Who would have ever believed .. " He paused, looking thoughtful and sounding a bit sentimental. "Look at us now. Both adults, both betrothed" Richard nodded his head, acknowledging her unrealized position. "Well, you very nearly so"
"It is almost beyond comprehension." She turned and wrung her hands together.
"Sometimes I wish the situation were different... " He gazed into her eyes; his smile faded. Augusta saw what she thought was regret cross his face, but only for a moment. "If our circumstances were- That is of little consequence" He cleared his throat. "What will you answer when Lord Fieldstone makes his offer?"
"I do not know." And she didn't. Augusta felt strangely numb. She would hear her reply when she answered the Viscount.
"Then I shall not be so hasty to congratulate him," Richard replied. "We shall see what becomes of Lord Fieldstone."
"Exactly," she agreed. "It would be most prudent to wait for the outcome."
Richard stepped closer and made to reach out with his hand to her again, only this time she did not cry out. "Gusta, I do wish-" His eyes and his voice softened.
"Lord Fieldstone!" Augusta announced upon his arrival.
Richard quieted, the momentum of his arm stopped, and he made a quick bow. "If you will both excuse me "
The Viscount entered and Richard left, closing the door behind him. Augusta was trapped in the room with Lord Fieldstone.
It was happening.
"Lady Augusta," he addressed her.
"Lord Fieldstone," she returned, acknowledging him. Augusta had never noticed his overly stiff and formal bearing-everything about him seemed uncomfortable. "Won't you please be seated?"
These situations were always so awkward. Why did he not simply ask the question so she would know her answer? For at this moment, Augusta had no idea.
Lord Fieldstone sat at one end of the green-leafed sofa and Augusta sat at the other, leaving enough room for two more people to occupy the space between them.
"Lady Augusta," he began. "I spoke to your father, His Grace, earlier, and explained my position."
"Oh?" she commented quite dumbly. The room was growing warmer.
"You are the most charming lady of my acquaintance. You have wit, intelligence, and beauty beyond compare" He stared pointedly at her to assure her of his sincerity.
Stop. Please just stop talking. She did not wish to hear what he had to say.
"Even compared to the lovely Lady Charlotte I find you far more amiable, and you would exceed any expectation I could ever hope to find in my future viscountess."
Augusta's heart raced. Was this what she wanted? What she had dreamt of for herself? The panic she felt told her no.
She did not want the rank nor the flattery, which she did not think empty. Augusta was quite certain that Lord Fieldstone had meant every word.
Still, she did not think she could accept him.
He went on and on about duty and responsibility. Where were his sentiments of love? Had he no true affection for her as a woman?
And then she realized with complete relief that she harbored no warm feelings for him.
None at all.
She did not wish to marry him, and when he askedif he ever got around to asking-the answer would be a resounding no.
"I must be honest as to my intentions," he continued.
"As much as I have come to admire you."
Augusta remained silent and allowed him his say.
"I had hoped to find a bride and marry this year-you would be more than adequately qualified. Through no fault of our own, I believe, very strongly, that we simply do not suit."
What was that he said? Did he not wish to marry her?
"As I have mentioned before, you are all that is"
"The combination of our personalities .. " Augusta clarified, thankful that she would not need to turn him away. "I am quite at a loss to explain as to why ... but I quite agree with you, my lord."
He looked as relieved as Augusta felt.
"I, too, find you all that is proper and agreeable." She glanced away to give herself a moment to gather her thoughts. "I must confess there is something that prevents me from forming a strong attachment"
"I thank you for your understanding." He inclined his head and stood. "Now I must bid you farewell and take my leave. I thanked your father for his hospitality earlier and now that we have discussed matters between ourselves, I can leave with a clear conscience."
Augusta stood to walk him out the door.
"It is unfortunate, indeed, that we did not make a better impression on one another." She smiled at him. Something, it seemed, he was incapable of doing. "I believe we understand one another quite well"
"And if, by chance, you are to attend the Season next year, may I bespeak a dance at Almack's when we meet?" Viscount Fieldstone did not lack in charm, that much was for certain.
"You may, indeed, my lord" She could hardly refuse such a gracious gentleman the request. "I would be more than happy to
make your acquaintance once again."
"Until the next time we meet, then." Lord Fieldstone bent low over her hand and then straightened. He displayed such a wide smile that it transformed his entire somber countenance.
Augusta found it so shocked her, it defied expression. She had no idea that leaving her would give him such joy.
Most of the guests had finished their tea and departed, leaving Charlotte in the company of Sir Samuel in the Oriental Parlor. Sir Samuel immediately stood when Mrs. Parker stepped into the room.
"Will you not sit?" he asked her.
"Is there any tea left?" Aunt Penny settled into a chair.
"Yes, of course" Charlotte poured a cup for her aunt, who appeared uncharacteristically distraught.
"Have you seen Muriel?" Aunt Penny took the cup and saucer, trying very hard to keep the porcelain set from rattling.
"We were denied Lady Muriel's company when she stopped by earlier." Sir Samuel glanced at Charlotte with what seemed to be a worried expression. Aunt Penny's nerves had not gone unnoticed by him either. "I'm sure she's much too busy with her studies ... Hadrian's Wall, I believe."
"I had not realized you knew of my younger sister's interests." Charlotte regarded Sir Samuel with great fascination.
"Yes, we had quite the discussion about the Roman occupation in northern Britain," Sir Samuel replied. "From what I gather, she's more interested in people from the first century BC than those of us in the nineteenth cen
"She's still young." Aunt Penny's tone was one of tury."Toounderstanding.
young to care?" Sir Samuel wondered.
'At the moment, yes. I have every confidence that in a few years her interest will turn to young men, as most young ladies' do" Mrs. Parker sipped her tea and closed her eyes as if savoring its effects. "How were the guests this afternoon?"
"There seems to be a general pleasantness in the house" Charlotte tried to sum up her observations. "They keep well-occupied and have plenty to distract themselves, with or without Augusta's presence."
"All the ladies are appreciated by the gentlemen," Sir Samuel added. "However, you will notice that every gentleman who addresses Augusta has a distinct spark in his eyes whenever she is present. She clearly remains the favorite. Present company excluded"
"I wonder if any more of them have been excused since this morning." Charlotte had not had a chance to speak to Augusta or Muriel to learn of the present number.
"There was an unpleasant occurrence earlier." Mrs. Parker paused before saying, "Mr. Allendale fell into the pond."
"He's not with us anymore, is he?" Sir Samuel choked when he realized how dire his statement sounded. "I mean he'll be leaving Faraday Hall soon, I expect"
"Well before supper, I imagine." Mrs. Parker, looking most somber, rested her cup and saucer in her lap. "I would not wish to think ill of my own niece, but I cannot think the incident was an accident."
"Gusta is so naughty!" Charlotte could not help but scold her sister. "If only she would control her temper."
Sir Samuel coughed to disguise his sudden laughter.
"If she cannot"-Charlotte resigned herself to the possible outcome-"I doubt there'll be anyone left to keep us company for tea tomorrow."
Augusta collapsed onto the green-leafed sofa in the Citrus Parlor and leaned back, taking in a great breath of relief.
Thank goodness.
She felt immensely relieved by Lord Fieldstone's departure and grateful for his honesty. He was a man who knew his duty but would not be dictated to by anyone. He was quite a gentleman to admire, and she did admire him, but she had no wish to marry him.
Thank goodness.
"I say, is that you in there, Lady Augusta?" Sir Benjamin Pelfry entered the Citrus Parlor. Once he stepped inside, his attention shifted from her to the decor and he turned to take it all in with his eyes wide. "What a magnificent room!"
"Do you think so?" All at once the conversation she'd had with her sisters came back to her. It could not have been more apparent that Muriel had been correct about Sir Benjamin and his fascination for citrus. "It is rather magnificent, isn't it?"
There was a wild look of fascination on his face. Why, Augusta wholly believed that he had no notion she occupied the same room.
"Sir Benjamin?" she uttered, then tried again, a bit louder, "Sir Benjamin?"
"How robust these specimens appear! The illustrations are so very lifelike! The vibrant colors! And so perfectly circular!" He crossed the room to the wall and ran his fingertips across the images. "Oh, so real, one can almost see their tender, delicate leaves. They cannot withstand a frost, you know."
Sir Benjamin became quite oddly animated at the discovery of a roomful of illustrated citrus. How perfectly deviant he sounded. Muriel had not exaggerated his obsession.
Goodness. And Augusta had thought she might marry him?
Perhaps it would be best if Augusta were to give him some privacy while he continued to expound the virtues of the fruit.
Augusta closed the door behind her when she left and followed the corridor down to the Grand Foyer. She regarded the pitiful display of oranges on the trees flanking the arched window.
She plucked the remaining fruit and headed toward the back of the house. Once outside, Richard came around the corner, from the parterre, and approached her just as she pulled the door closed. Once he spotted her, he removed his hat, tucked it under his arm, and called out to her.
Augusta welcomed him and observed that the two oranges balanced in the crook of her elbow and the one she held in her hand did not go beyond his notice. "Will you be so kind as to accompany me?"
He gave a shallow bow and did not question her regarding their destination. Augusta pulled the rind from the orange and allowed it to drop at their feet. Richard bent to retrieve it.
She stayed him with a hand to his arm and smiled. "Please, leave it." She motioned him down the path, to the left.
"If that is your wish." He could not have understood but did as she bid. "Pardon me for intruding into your personal matters, but might I inquire if you and Lord Fieldstone came to an agreement?"
Augusta could hear the interest in his voice. She had been smiling ear to ear, which might have given him the wrong impression, but the outcome did so please her. "Yes, we did." She allowed another piece of rind to fall from her fingers.
He glanced at her for permission to retrieve it. She gave none and he allowed it to remain. They stepped past the remnant.
"Am Ito finally wish you happy, then?" He did not say this with a smile, as if he actually was happy for her. Poor Richard must have felt confused all the way around.
"Lord Fieldstone and I have come to the understanding that we do not suit. I believe he has left Faraday Hall." She scattered several pieces of rind during their stroll.
"Do not suit-you are not to marry?" Richard quieted, apparently shocked at the news. He exhaled as if relieved. "I thought for certain ..."
Not only did it feel wonderful knowing she was not marrying the Viscount, Augusta thought it sounded splendid when Richard said the words out loud.
"Gusta, what are you doing?" It appeared that her companion had had quite enough. He stopped before they had reached their destination and reprimanded, "Your father will not approve of your littering the grounds. He does employ a substantial gardening crew but to intentionally-"
"It's a trap," she finally told him.
Richard stood not twenty feet from the knot garden that sat between the greenhouse and orangery. At the door of the orangery she dropped the final bit of rind and placed all three peeled oranges together to one side.
"A trap?" He stared at her and apparently could not think of what to say.
Augusta stepped back from the orangery doors to admire her display.
"As in catching a husband? That does not seem to make any sense at all."
"Not catch a husband, dear Richard. To eliminate one of the suitors."
It took him a moment but he appeared to understand her inten
t. "And which of the unlucky gentlemen do you wish to rid yourself of?"
"Lord Ce-treese."
Richard furrowed his brows and, once again, looked quite puzzled.
Richard accompanied Augusta back to Faraday Hall, where she bade him stop in the Oriental Parlor while she penned a short note.
"Do you know how many of your suitors remain?" Richard asked. "And how many have fallen by the wayside?"
"Check with Moo," Augusta told him. "We both know she's keeping meticulous accounts on every one of them."
"I know she has a record of each suitor and the day of their demise. She has categorized their downfall in excruciating detail. I had thought you might also have a tally of your own."
Augusta straightened, holding the small sheet of paper to allow the ink on her note to dry, and replied, "No, I do not. I do not see the point when my sister keeps far superior records than I ever could."
Moments later Augusta led the way down the corridor to the Grand Foyer.
"What's happened to the fruit?" Richard commented upon seeing the bare trees. "I thought there were at least a dozen oranges here"
"There might have been at one time." Augusta was not about to confess her transgression. She had merely removed the last, not all, of the fruit.
Augusta, with Richard trailing behind, came across the butler, who seemed to have appeared merely because she was in need of him.
"Huxley, please make arrangements for Sir Benjamin to leave"
"Yes, my lady." The butler remained as if he anticipated further instructions.
"Then would you be so good as to have a footman take this"-she handed him a folded piece of paper-"and deliver it to Sir Benjamin? I believe he may be found in the orangery."
With a nod of understanding, Huxley left Augusta and Richard, who both turned upon hearing Mr. Lawrence Skeffington and Emily entering through the front door.
"Look who we ran into just as we arrived." Emily stepped to one side to reveal Lord Arthur. On his arm, Miss Olivia Skeffington was wearing a most fetching ivory-plumed bonnet.
The Suitor List Page 12