The Suitor List (5 page)

"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 ... "