"How right you are, Mrs. Parker." The Duke of Faraday gathered his daughters in his arms and gave a hearty laugh. "There is nothing that cannot be accomplished when our family works toward a single purpose"
On the ground floor, Emily, Richard, and his fiancee, Miss Skeffington, strolled down the main corridor of Faraday Hall with Augusta.
"I understand you had an assortment of ladies arrive yesterday." Miss Skeffington looked around. "Where are they hiding themselves?"
"They're still abed, I'm afraid. Must be keeping Town hours" The men, the gentlemen-her suitors-were to arrive today. Augusta could not restrain the continual, heart-pounding lightness and anxiousness that resided within her.
"I see the orange trees have been brought out for display." Emily indicated the two specimens that each bore a half dozen fruit flanking the tall, arching window in the Grand Foyer.
Aunt Penny's footfalls sounded from the staircase. In evidence of her haste, the lace cap atop her head fluttered during her swift descent.
"Augusta, dear! You must stay clear of the public areas until after the gentlemen have arrived," Mrs. Parker warned, waving the small group away. "If you are spotted, there should be a to-do that well, I should not wish to think on it. Please, Richard, see the ladies to the Citrus Parlor."
"By all means, Mrs. Parker. Ladies, this way, if you please" Richard led their group in a leisurely aboutface, toward the small parlor in the rear of the house.
"Exactly how many gentlemen are invited, Lady Augusta?" Miss Skeffington asked.
"A dozen, I believe." Augusta turned to face the front door of Faraday Hall. Just beyond those doors the gentlemen visitors gathered and, perhaps among them, Augusta's future husband.
"His Grace and I added Lord Marsdon and Lord William Felgate when you made their acquaintance at the Rushtons' dinner party a few evenings before we returned home," Mrs. Parker amended. "That makes fourteen. As you will recall, Augusta, they returned to London with the express purpose of seeing you. We thought them most impressive and equally deserving of your notice."
"Goodness me, fourteen!" Miss Skeffington exclaimed.
"There were not as many young ladies who received invitations, you understand. I also expect they do not know the gentlemen were scheduled to arrive today, else the female guests would have awoken early and breakfasted in time to welcome the newcomers"
"I can just imagine the chaos that will ensue with only a few women being pursued by these many menit's best I keep Miss Skeffington close" Richard placed his fiancee's delicate hand in the crook of his arm and laid his strong, protective hand over hers.
Theirs was not a love match, Augusta understood, and she pushed aside her slight discomfort at observing them together. It was a constant reminder of what she dearly wished-to find a husband. It appeared they were wellsuited and enjoyed each other's company. Augusta hoped she would find an equally suitable arrangement. It was her most fervent wish that she would achieve a more affectionate attachment, but she somehow felt that would be extremely selfish and highly improbable.
"You need not worry, Mr. Wilbanks," Mrs. Parker assured him. "I would not be surprised to find only half their number remains by tomorrow."
Charlotte stood next to Muriel, gazing out the window from the Specula Alta. She had never seen so many men in one place before. She and Muriel watched them arrive, mingle, and finally enter the house. All those gentlemen ... what were they about?
Where eligible young ladies, mamas, chaperones, and maids had swarmed Faraday Hall only the day before, the influx of gentlemen would continue throughout this day. Most of them traveled with their valets, who saw to the unloading of the luggage. Many of them presently congregated near the swan fountain on the other side of the main drive of Faraday Hall.
Giggling and laughter began to fill the upper floor corridors just before noon. Charlotte imagined the female guests had finally realized the house party would soon begin. Faraday Hall was a very busy household indeed.
The thought of sharing her home with these dozen or so masculine, attractive newcomers caused Charlotte's heart to race.
"What's wrong, Char-Char?" Muriel narrowed her eyes at her sister. "You've gone pale"
"There are so many of them." She felt her face warm, then she dropped her shawl from her shoulders, hoping it would cool her. "I am to attend the ball this evening. I do not know how I am to-"
"I cannot tell you how happy I am that my presence is not required." Muriel held the opera glasses firmly to her eyes.
"But you have studied with the dance master." All three sisters had spent months in lessons before Augusta's departure. "Why would you choose not to try your hand at
"I have no intention of dancing this or any other evening, Char-Char," Muriel declared with firm resolve.
"Oh, that is a shame. After all that time practicing." Charlotte blinked, wondering if her younger sister felt shy because of her age and needed a bit of encouragement. "You are really quite graceful and have a lovely form, you know."
Muriel lowered the glasses to regard Charlotte. "Thank you for the compliment but I cannot see the point in the attempt. I do not enjoy the exercise. Besides, those gentlemen will only have eyes for you and Gusta, not me.
"I see" She understood that Muriel, only very recently thirteen, might not be of an age to attract any gentlemen of Augusta's age. But Charlotte, two years younger than her eldest sister, could she truly be of any interest to them? "Moo, do you think I can expect a dozen gentlemen to pay court to me when my time comes?"
"Oh, I shouldn't think so" Muriel raised the glasses to her eyes once more.
Charlotte felt a bit calmer at her younger but wiser sister's pronouncement. Being in the company of numerous men made her nervous. Muriel was very clever and could usually see the right of any matter.
"I'd expect double their number."
Charlotte grabbed onto the edge of the windowsill. The various letters she held slipped from her hand, sliding to the floor. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.
Oh, goodness.
By that evening, the ballroom at Faraday Hall had been cleaned, polished, and lit to perfection. The Duke and Mrs. Parker had made sure to invite some local ladies, enough to make the disproportionate number of male to female guests not so obvious.
Augusta wore a pink spotted muslin with a wide satin sash, matching her pink dancing slippers and the small rosebuds in her hair. The outfit was thought up by her and her aunt during their travel home from London.
Never one to allow idle time to pass, Lord Fieldstone stepped forward moments after Augusta entered, and Sir Warren Cantrell, close on the Viscount's heels, was the second to claim a dance. Lord Carlton Wingate, coming in third, insisted she reserve the supper dance for him.
After her dance with Sir Benjamin Pelfry, Mr. Allendale, and Lord Tremaine, she noticed Lord William Felgate and local baronet Sir Nicholas Petersham in conversation with Miss Eleanor Jessop across the room. Despite the men outnumbering the women, Augusta thought everyone behaved in a civilized manner.
During the final steps of the current dance, Augusta pulled her foot from under Lord Arthur Master's errant misstep. Her sharp glance at his face told her he was not attending. He had stopped dancing and merely stared toward the entrance.
"Who, I say, who is that ... creature?"
Augusta could have guessed he wanted to use the adjective lovely, becoming, or simply magnificent, but her presence had prohibited him from showing outright interest.
Augusta glanced over her shoulder. "That, Lord Arthur, is my younger sister Lady Charlotte."
Charlotte entered the ballroom just after nine o'clock. Several wide pale blonde ringlets framed her face, and the golden threads which shot through the white silk of her gown shimmered under the crystal chandeliers above her.
At sixteen years of age, making a match was not even a consideration she entertained. Her father told her it was not her gown, or the metallic reflections sparkling from the material, but h
er own beauty that would blind the male guests.
Charlotte had attended many local assemblies and several balls. This gathering felt decidedly different. She herself could not prevent her insides from twisting or her hand from trembling, just a little. She was told how lovely she looked; she was told she would cause a stir among the gentlemen. Charlotte's presence, she was told, would aid Augusta in her search for a husband, and that made this uncomfortable endeavor worthwhile.
None of the guests knew of her true agenda.
Aunt Penny approached and made the introductions to the new guests she'd watched arrive that very day: handsome Mr. Allendale and elegant Lord Stanton. Charlotte didn't even mind having to share several dances with the likes of Sir Samuel Pruitt or the dashing Lord Marsdon.
Charlotte caught her bottom lip between her teeth, contemplating how stealing her sister's beaux might be unforgiveable but not unexpected.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Charlotte?" Sir Thomas Granville uttered as they came together and moved apart in the steps of the dance.
"Immensely," Charlotte answered, then turned and stepped to one side and waited, the two of them being the "out" couple.
Sir Thomas gave Charlotte's hand a slight squeeze, drawing her attention from the dancers around them.
"I can no longer remain silent, Lady Charlotte. I must confess my great affection for you. I must see you away from these intrusive eyes ... I must see you alone."
"Alone?" Charlotte did not need to feign surprise, his request had most certainly shocked her. "That is so very improper, sir."
"Yes, I know it is ... but I-I cannot-" He broke off, as it was their time to rejoin their respective lines. In the final measures, the dancers made their bows, ending the dance.
Sir Thomas did not return Charlotte to the guests but pulled her to one side. "I must see you alone," he spoke urgently. "Please"
"I need a moment to-" Charlotte looked around to see if they were attracting attention. "Walk me to the side door, if you please."
He acquiesced and they strolled to the opposite end of the room. Before reaching the guests milling about, she paused.
"Very well," she replied. "I shall meet you in the Music Room. Do you know where-"
"Yes, yes. I'll find it," he answered quickly, apparently rapturous over her decision.
"You must enter from the south door, through the Oriental Parlor."
"Yes, yes. I will " From his anxious, breathless reply, he sounded like a man who would agree to almost anything. "When? What time?"
"At midnight."
"But that is over two hours away!" he whispered in great anguish.
"I simply cannot leave the ball. It will look most peculiar to the other guests, to my family, to my father."
Sir Thomas Granville's posture noticeably stiffened at the reference to the Duke. "Very well, but I shall not know how I am to pass the minutes until I see you alone, my dearest"
"I imagine you will manage very well, sir," Charlotte said, wondering if he truly understood the entire deception.
They parted company, making their private exchange seem as normal as she could manage after making an appointment for a tryst.
"I've been watching you all evening." Richard had managed to catch Augusta between dances and Miss Skeffington had the chance to introduce Augusta to her older brother.
Mr. Lawrence Skeffington was a tall pleasant gentleman with green eyes and wore his light brown hair a la Brutus. He was as handsome as Miss Skeffington was beautiful. Perhaps he would be fortunate enough to find his heart among the young ladies in attendance.
"You've still got your hands full," Richard commented. "Even though Char-Char is entertaining half your suitors."
"They are free to dance with whomever they wish. There is no reason they should follow in my shadow every moment" It could not have pleased Augusta more that the gentlemen could find ways of occupying themselves.
"Point well taken. You look lovely this evening." He stared as if truly admiring her.
"Thank you," Augusta replied with a somewhat cool demeanor. She thought perhaps he might follow his kind words with a teasing barb if he knew how much the compliment truly meant to her.
"You've been a veritable fashion plate in Town, but seeing you at home, in your own ballroom, where I have seen you numerous times before .. " There was a catch in his voice that caused him to stop and clear his throat. "In any case, you are very lovely."
Augusta braved a glance at him now and graced him with a smile when she was certain of the sincerity of his words.
Richard glanced around. "Where is Lord Carlton? I heard he was quite insistent in claiming your supper dance"
"It appears even after his most sincere assurance that I have `captured his heart' and he is so `utterly, completely devoted to me," he has abandoned me" Augusta wasn't irritated by his absence as much as his persistence.
"Don't take it too hard, Gusta," Richard whispered, consoling her. "He was deeply in love with Miss Sutherland just before you arrived in Town, and to my dear Emily the week before that" He paused, seemingly thinking. "I cannot recall if it was Lady Julia Monroe or Miss Conway he had favored the week before that. No matter. It is known that he changes his mind-or should I say his heart every few days. Faith, if he settled upon a young lady for a week's time ... that would be momentous"
"And you are telling me this only now?" Augusta could not imagine why no one had mentioned his Lothario behavior.
"Sorry, hadn't thought of it."
Augusta let out an exasperated, unladylike huff. "Honestly, Richard, if I had known, I would not have invited him."
"Oh-you didn't think him exceptionally dashing, then?" He seemed truly shocked.
Augusta glared at her one-time friend with murderous intent.
"Only kidding," he said weakly. "Allow me to take his place for the supper dance"
"What of Miss Skeffington?" Augusta felt a twinge of vindictiveness at his jest and wished she could do him more harm than threaten him with a jealous fiancee.
"Oh, Livy is doing her part to distract your many gentlemen guests" Richard chuckled, spotting her holding court, and did not seem the least bit concerned at his intended's all-male company. "There she is with Viscount Marsdon and Lord William Felgate."
"Fine" Augusta took Richard's arm and stepped toward the dance floor with him. If she could not successfully endanger his heart, perhaps treading on his toes with a misstep or two while dancing would do.
On exiting the supper room, Lord Perkins strode directly toward Charlotte and gently guided her to one side on her way to the ladies' room.
He, along with many of the gentlemen, had been glaring at Lord Carlton, who earlier had simply refused to be denied the pleasure of escorting her into supper.
While nibbling on the savories, Charlotte looked from one gentleman to the other, measuring their malicious glares and silent heated exchanges.
She marveled at the great discrepancy among them. Despite being light-haired or dark-haired, some were tall, some were not, and some of them exuded appeal, even across and down the length of the room. Some used their charm to flirt with her out in the open in front of everyone. As was Charlotte's disposition, she could not help but see the good in each and every one.
All of them in different ways were handsome and some of them were devilishly so. She could not look at them, for some of those gentlemen ignored the women next to them and stared with calf eyes at her for the following hour.
"I've a mind to seek out your father and offer for you tonight! What do you think about that, Lady Charlotte?" Lord Perkins, with his confident smile and overbearing attitude, threatened her.
"No-please," Charlotte beseeched. "My father will not sanction a match for me" An expression of utter devastation crossed Lord Perkins' face. She laid her gloved hand upon his sleeve. "It displeases me to see you so upset. I, too, think he might be a touch unreasonable."
Lord Perkins captured her hand and used it to draw her near. "Perha
ps we could slip away," he whispered, lifting her hand to his lips. "Somewhere we could be alone, for some privacy to discuss the matter."
Charlotte turned her back to the room, preventing the majority of guests from witnessing the warm blush that washed over her cheeks.
"You are most persuasive, my lord" Charlotte smiled, and by his reaction she could quite believe that she had won him over-so easily. "If I were to agree to meet you.."
"Just name the place and the time-I shall be there" Lord Perkins gave her hand a small squeeze, and if Charlotte had not been mistaken, it was because he was anxious to hear the details she was about to lay out before him.
"The Music Room at midnight," she told him quickly, just above a whisper.
"But that is over an hour until-"
"You asked me to name the time and place and I have told you midnight." Charlotte had not meant to sound cross. If he did not agree to her terms, she simply would not meet him.
"I am sorry. It's just that I am most eager to-"
"Use the north door," she cut him off. "Its entrance is through the Citrus Parlor at the rear of the house. You'll find it unlocked."
"Twelve o'clock, then." He tightened his arm as if he meant to draw her near.
"Please leave me," Charlotte insisted, moving from him. "No one must suspect our plan"
"Very well." Lord Perkins relinquished her hand and reentered the supper room.
Charlotte moved in the direction of the guests, intending to return to the dance floor, only to find Sir Thomas Granville gazing longingly across the room at her. No doubt he was wondering if her ardor had cooled. Perhaps he grew concerned that she had forgotten their planned rendezvous.
No, Charlotte had not forgotten. She favored him with a smile and pulled her fan open with great care to cool herself and any passion she possessed, in hopes he would feel confident that her affection for him remained unchanged.
Her feelings for him had remained the same.
The handsome and very charming Lord Paul Bancroft approached her for the next set. Charlotte stepped onto the floor with him and the thought that he might ask something of her other than just a dance made it difficult for her to breathe.
The Suitor List Page 7
