The Suitor List

by Shirley Marks

  Did the Baroness consider her family unsuitable? Or their connections perhaps? Could she have an objection to Augusta herself? She had been in Town not even a week; even she needed more time than that to tarnish her reputation.

  Augusta had thought she and the Baroness were getting along splendidly-only now to discover that Lady Vernon did not like her at all?

  "Do not mistake me, it is not you I have my doubts about. It is Samuel"

  "Sir Samuel has been all that is kind. I assure you my aunt would never have permitted me to leave the house with him unless his character was above reproach"

  "Yes, I completely agree" Lady Vernon's face relaxed, and Augusta got the feeling that this might not be as serious as she had first feared. "I understand how you might agree my nephew is suitable parti. He is handsome, intelligent, and very considerate-especially to those of whom he is fond. All characteristics a woman would wish in a husband."

  Then what was the difficulty? Augusta had no idea. She looked upon Lady Vernon, waiting to be enlightened.

  "What concerns me is that Samuel is only sixteen."

  S ixteen years old? Augusta hoped she did not look as astonished, as shocked, as she felt.

  "Only just sixteen, I might add, this last April," the Baroness amended. "I realize that he might appear to be a man of twenty years, but the fact remains, he is not. And I cannot help but think that he may be a bit young to marry. There are fortune hunters and women who would take advantage of his situation." Lady Vernon glanced at Augusta. "Well, of course not YOU."

  Sir Samuel was roughly the same age as her younger brother, Fredrick, who still attended Eton. She could not possibly marry someone that young. Could she?

  "Do not allow Samuel's lecture about family and duty to influence you. I'm pleased that he finds those qualities admirable, but I am concerned, nonetheless, that he needs a bit of Town bronze that only attending a few Seasons will give him" She gazed kindly upon Augusta and continued. "I must compliment his taste and agree wholeheartedly of his choice. You are the first lady in which he has shown serious interest."

  "You are most kind, Lady Vernon." Even though Sir Samuel was much younger than Augusta had thought, she could not eliminate him on his age alone. "I thought I might find a husband who is intelligent and thoughtfulage and appearance are merely superficialities. Both will alter in time."

  "Goodness!" Lady Vernon brought her hand to her throat. "You are far wiser than your years. When one is young it tends to be difficult to see what lies under the charm and attractive facade of a young gentleman"

  "I must confess that even I am carried away when there is music and dancing. I tend to forget what I am doing in London and cannot help but enjoy myself."

  "And why should you not?" The Baroness giggled at Augusta's admission. "I have heard talk of a rush to throw last minute parties because of your late arrival. Even rumors of certain gentlemen who plan to return to Town solely to make your acquaintance."

  How had Augusta missed this bit of news?

  "One might speculate that arriving at the end of the Season would be a detriment. It has, however, not worked out as such. Can you tell me if this was intentional, and who, may I ask, contrived such a plan?"

  "My father and my aunt, Mrs. Parker."

  "Mrs. Parker ... ah, yes. I believe she was widowed at a very young age, was she not? I seem to remember meeting her before she married many years ago, when she was known as Miss Penelope Darling." Lady Vernon sat in quiet contemplation for a moment. "I have not had the honor of meeting His Grace"

  "I wonder if there should be an occasion where I could introduce the two of you?"

  "I cannot imagine so. I lead a very quiet life and very rarely socialize outside my house even though I am curious and so enjoy hearing of the world beyond these walls" She glanced toward her lush foliage lining the walls and spilling from pots everywhere. "What else do I need except the pleasure that my garden gives me?"

  That was a shame. Lady Vernon did not appear to be older than her aunt Penny-unless not looking one's age ran in her family. In that case the Baroness might be anywhere between nineteen and forty.

  "Feel free to call upon me again, if you might spare the time. I have enjoyed your company so much."

  "Yes, I believe I shall. Thank you" Augusta held an unexpected fondness for Lady Vernon.

  "And you will tell me how you are going along ... and how many more men have fallen in love with you." Lady Vernon set her teacup on the table.

  "I cannot imagine a more pleasant place, or a more amiable person to pass time with." Augusta had the distinct feeling she was not the only one who valued their budding friendship.

  "Where are you off to tonight?"

  "We will attend the theatre" Augusta did not wish to confess she had never been before. "However, I am not sure which."

  "And tomorrow afternoon?" Lady Vernon's eyebrows rose in an all-knowing fashion. "I expect that there have been many a young gentleman to occupy your time."

  Augusta's gaze dropped to her lap. "I am to visit Kew Gardens"

  "Oh-the flora!" the Baroness exclaimed. "I am sure it will be an excellent outing."

  "I expect you should like to visit there very much. Would Sir Samuel not accompany you?"

  "He would be happy to do so if I should wish it, but I think not. I am quite content to remain here"

  Augusta realized that, with the exception of sheer size, Kew Gardens may not have much to offer Lady Vernon. She had quite an impressive garden herself.

  "You must return and tell me your impressions of the gardens-and of the theatre. And of all your new gentlemen acquaintances . . "

  "Yes, ma'am. I shall." Just listing the men she would see and the parties she'd be attending in the next few days made Augusta a bit dizzy. For there would surely be several new ones to add to her list.

  Truth be told, Augusta was no closer to coming to a decision as to who might interest her. Every day that passed, the number of her male acquaintances grew but there was less time to truly know them.

  Augusta was not entirely sure how she would decide.

  "I have not seen you since Friday afternoon, Gusta!" Emily complained when Augusta, her father, and Mrs. Parker arrived to the Wilbankses' townhouse for the musical soiree Sunday evening.

  "Did you go to the theatre last night?" Emily squeezed in before the arrival of the other guests could interrupt them. "And to Kew Gardens with Sir Benjamin this afternoon?"

  "Yes, and yes, and-" Augusta smiled and curtsied at the Lord and Lady Weybourne, greeting them with, "It is so good to see you again, your lordship, your ladyship."

  "The theatre?" Emily reminded Augusta where their conversation had been interrupted.

  "Oh, yes. It was delightful-I enjoyed myself enormously."

  Emily pointed to a gentleman from behind her open fan. "I see the Weybournes have brought their spare, Mr. Chester Atwater, with them. Did you meet anyone of interest there?" Emily paused, seemingly rethinking her question. "I mean anyone new. Surely there was a line outside your box at intermission."

  "Only the brave gentlemen dare approach" Augusta recalled the quiet interval. "It seems my father is a bit of a gargoyle. All of them were frightened away"

  "He is a duke, and they cannot know him as we doagreeable and kind-hearted."

  "We know him to be that way, I doubt any of the visitors that night would agree with you" Augusta touched Emily's arm, attracting her attention. "We'll talk about this later. We need to concentrate on this evening."

  "I expect you're right. I suppose I am nervous because I am to play the pianoforte tonight." Emily glanced around at the growing number of guests. "We'll have more than a goodly number of gentlemen in attendance. Look there"-she indicated as best she could without pointing-"It's Sir Thomas Granville and his friend Lord Tremaine. They are both very desirous to meet you, Gusta"

  Augusta felt her face warm. She would have wished for some dancing to occupy her time instead of attempting to converse with new gentle
men acquaintances.

  After supper, Lord Arthur Masters escorted Augusta from the table to the large parlor, where the musical entertainment was to take place.

  "Will you be entertaining us this evening?" Lord Arthur inquired, leading Augusta to a seat and occupying the one next to her.

  To her great relief, she had already been informed that she was not to play. "How do you know that I even possess any sort of musical abilities?" She noticed that he had chosen their seats to one side of the room where they might not be surrounded by other guests.

  "It would shock me to discover that you do not have even the most basic skill of the pianoforte." He lifted her arm and splayed her gloved fingers, admiring them. "How could you not play with this finger span?" He smoothed two fingers past her wrist and they came to rest on her forearm. "I would not be surprised if you played a string instrument as well."

  Augusta could not imagine how he knew, but some considered her study of the violin scandalous.

  "There is muscular definition in your forearm and much strength in your left arm" With firm pressure he pressed various spots, proving to himself that he had, indeed, been correct. "I am a student of the arts: music, sculpture, painting. The human form has a great appeal for me-" He cleared his throat. "Artistically speaking, that is."

  "Of course" How else would Augusta interpret his meaning?

  "Have you been to the British Museum?"

  "I'm afraid I have not had the opportunity." She did not inform him that exhibits and museums were mainly of interest to her youngest sister, Muriel.

  "Then I offer myself as your guide. If you would allow me to accompany you one afternoon."

  And she would. Augusta was not as curious to see the antiquities as she was in observing the behavior and demeanor of Lord Arthur Masters.

  The following evening, Emily and Miriam giggled and passed in front of the boxes, dashed around the guests, milled about, and finally caught up with Augusta at Vauxhall Gardens.

  "Where have you been?" Emily sounded anxious at the sight of her dear friend. It had been days since they'd met and had a chance to speak.

  "You're nearly an hour late!" Miriam, sounding a bit peevish, scolded her cousin.

  "I'm sorry. I've only returned home a few hours ago. I barely had time to change before leaving for Vauxhall" She had stepped out of her puce flounced walking dress immediately into her green-and-white striped cambric frock and donned the bonnet for which Lord Fieldstone had, so generously, supplied the ornamentation. She secretly hoped he might easily recognize her. Augusta glanced around for the last member of their foursome. "Where is Lizzie?"

  "She has already left Town," Miriam supplied, apparently cross at Augusta for arriving late.

  "We are also to leave in a few days" Emily was not pleased to miss whatever festivities remained.

  "The Season is as good as finished already, and I am to be married the day after tomorrow," Miriam interjected-as if Augusta did not know and was not constantly reminded of her cousin's good fortune in finding a husband at the very start of the Season.

  Yes, yes, Augusta knew well enough. Miriam would soon be a married lady, married to an earl and becoming Countess Dawson. Augusta would call her Lady Dawson. The worst possible bit of this development had nothing to do with Miriam but with Augusta herself. She had no engagement in sight, not even a single prospect.

  But what had she expected? Augusta had only been in Town for a week. She could not make such an important decision based upon a meeting or two. Perhaps some could but not she.

  "Never fear, Em, only a few days remain," Augusta reassured her best friend. "I shall write you as you wrote to me earlier in the Season-and I shan't omit any details. Once I return to Faraday Hall we can once again look forward to our tete-a-tetes"

  "Splendid, Gusta!" Emily's radiant smile returned to her face. How Augusta hated to see her friend suffer a fit of the dismals. "Now tell me why you are late. Where have you been?"

  "The `Change," Miriam announced in her know-itall tone.

  "Exeter Exchange! Was it as exciting as I've heard?" Emily wanted to know. "I've heard it is a terrifying place"

  "It is not for the faint of heart, I can tell you that much" Augusta wondered where she should begin.

  "Mr. Allendale," Miriam announced firmly. "Why don't you start there?"

  "Oh, he is very wealthy and very handsome, don't you think, Mimi?" Augusta teased her cousin.

  "He need not be so handsome if he is wealthy" Miriam's remark went by without a response from Emily or Augusta.

  "I shall allow you to form your own opinion regarding Mr. Allendale," Augusta said to Emily. "As I said, visiting the Exeter Exchange can be unnerving."

  Emily's eyes widened, obviously expecting to hear a frightful tale of Augusta's afternoon.

  "From the street I heard sounds of .." Augusta paused, attempting to describe what she heard as accurately as she could. "Clearly some sort of animal sounds, and they were distinctly wild. Not any dog or cat, or even any type of farm animal I've known."

  "Oh, dear." Emily cowered back and grabbed Miriam's arm.

  "I must have displayed some fear, for Mr. Allendale not only drew my hand into the crook of his arm, he covered my hand with his own and asked me if I was sure I wished to proceed. He told me there were some young ladies who found viewing the menagerie quite frightening."

  "And you continued on?" Emily gulped.

  Augusta straightened. "I assured Mr. Allendale that I was made of sterner stuff than the typical young miss. However I found myself gripping the strings of my reticule very tightly and hoped it was indeed true"

  "Oh, Augusta!" Miriam, who was not nearly as timid as Emily, began to show fear.

  "With a devilish smile he chuckled and confessed that he had thought as much, and he motioned that we move forward. We entered the building and climbed up and up the stairs." Augusta paused, trying to recall her impressions, and perhaps a small part of her wished to tease Emily as well. "The noises grew louder and the pungent odor increased. I thought I might .. " She paused again, bringing her fingertips to her lips at the vivid recollection. "We finally reached a landing where we were among several other couples who had paused, unable to catch their breath-a clean breath"

  Miriam and Emily groaned and made unpleasant faces.

  "We continued onward. Just as we walked into the first room .. " Augusta nearly shivered as she recalled the incident. "There was a fearsome roar from a large cat, some sort of tiger. It was very ferocious and wild. It flattened its ears against its head, bared its long fangs. I leapt back-thank goodness Mr. Allendale was there to catch me"

  "So what you're telling us is that you ended up in Mr. Allendale's arms," Miriam commented, putting an emphasis on her cousin's behavior that might have made it seem scandalous, instead of it being the result of the terror she'd experienced.

  "I cannot deny it." Augusta smiled. Nearly all the unpleasant smells had receded when she'd snuggled up against him. She felt protected while wrapped in his strong arms. The scent of his sandalwood soap and the starch from his linen filled her every breath. She felt completely safe. "It could not be helped, really"

  "That's enough of Mr. Allendale, if you please, Gusta" The wide smile that spread across Miriam's face must have been for the benefit of the approaching guests. "These gentlemen are only interested in how close they can get to you"

  Augusta leaned against the squabs of the carriage after the night's wonderful music and dancing. She had simply enjoyed the evening with her friends and many of the gentlemen known to her.

  How would she fall asleep after all that excitement? She sat next to her aunt and across from her father in the carriage as they traveled home. As far as Augusta was concerned, the night was not long enough for her to dance her fill.

  "Gusta," her father said without a smile and in a deep, very serious-sounding baritone, as if she had misbehaved.

  "What is it, Papa?" She watched his shadow move on the window shade with the sway
of the carriage, and she wondered if he was contemplating her deeds.

  "Your aunt and I have been discussing your visit to Town."

  Augusta glanced at Mrs. Parker, who wore the most stern expression, then back to her father. She could not imagine what she had done that they could complain about.

  "Even though we delayed your arrival it seems you have accumulated a greater number of suitors than I ever could have anticipated."

  And was Augusta to think she was at fault?

  "What your father is saying is that you cannot possibly be expected to choose among them" Aunt Penny sounded sympathetic to Augusta's difficulty.

  "We have decided to host a house party in a fortnight's time. You shall decide which young ladies and gentlemen are to be invited."

  This was delightful news. There best be plenty of music and dancing every evening if Augusta were to remain content.

  "We shall, one by one, strike them from your list if you should decide they do not merit your affection."

  "My beaux list-" Augusta whispered on a breath, and blinked in disbelief. Such a thing did exist for her and it was amazing she could put it to good use. She might need help compiling a list of ladies, and had no doubt that Emily could surely advise her.

  "Yes, by all means, once you have given me the guest list, we shall prepare the invitations." Aunt Penny nodded, acknowledging what had to be done.

  The Duke reached across the transport, holding his daughter's hand. "Do not concern yourself, my dear Gusta. The family will stand by your side as you sort through your suitors. We may even aid you in your decision. I am quite sure there is one fellow among them who you will find suitable as a husband"

  Augusta smiled at her father and her aunt and then thought of her brother and sisters. She had nothing to fear. Her family was there. They would always be there to help, comfort, and support her.

  Augusta sent Emily a note early Tuesday morning. With her father's proposal of a house party, Augusta needed the aid of her dearest friend.