The Suitor List

by Shirley Marks

  Marriage to him, if Augusta were of a mind to select him, should be amenable. She considered that gazing upon his handsome visage for the remainder of her life would not be a hardship.

  As far as Augusta had discerned, Lord William would seem an ideal choice of husband, with his lightheartedness, good humor, and joviality.

  Then she, once again, reminded herself that he was not the only suitor in attendance, and it had only been a day since their arrival.

  As they came upon the orange trees with their modest offerings of four fruit each, the massive front door of Faraday Hall swung open. A red and gold liveried footman stepped inside, allowing newly arrived guests admittance.

  "Lady Augusta!" Richard's voice called from the entrance. He led his fiancee forward.

  "Mr. Wilbanks," Augusta greeted them. "Miss Skeffington, good afternoon"

  "Good day to you, Lady Augusta and to ..." Miss Skeffington paused.

  "Lord William Felgate, at your service." Lord William executed a splendid bow with Augusta dangling on his arm. "We were introduced last night, Miss Skeffington, but our meeting was brief."

  "Is Moo ... Muriel-Lady Muriel about?" Richard sounded a bit hurried and quite anxious to move along.

  "I expect you can find her where you can always find her ... in the-" Augusta supplied.

  "The Librarium," Richard finished. He glanced at Miss Skeffington then back at Augusta.

  "Is Emily here with you?" Augusta expected she was but had not seen her.

  "She and Mr. Skeffington are occupied with Miss Randolph, Miss Sutherland, and some of the other gentlemen ... off for some type of frolic, I expect." Richard took a step, then two, up the stairs, apparently anxious to leave. "If you don't mind, Livy, I just want to pop up for a few minutes to see Moo, er-Lady Muriel."

  "As you wish." Miss Skeffington shrugged, withdrawing her hand from his arm to free him to take his leave.

  "Perhaps Miss Skeffington will accompany us to the rear gardens?" Augusta could not very well leave Richard's fiancee to stand alone at the foot of the stairs.

  "Sounds splendid. Why don't you join them?" Richard dashed up the stairs after giving his hasty approval.

  Augusta caught Miss Skeffington's shy smile.

  "I would be delighted." Miss Skeffington slid her hand through Lord William's proffered arm.

  "Am I not the luckiest man? I have the pleasure of escorting not one, but two lovely ladies. One on each arm!" His already smiling face brightened even more so. "I am veritably surrounded by female loveliness!"

  Augusta could not help but laugh, joining Miss Skeffington's high-pitched giggle at Lord William's pronouncement.

  "Oh, Lord William, Mr. Wilbanks will be quite cross with you for saying such things," Miss Skeffington scolded.

  "But it is true, is it not?" Lord William turned to Augusta for her opinion.

  "I am sure he would completely concur." Augusta thought there could not be a more agreeable gentleman than Lord William.

  "Right, then. Shall we be off?" Lord William led the ladies out of the foyer, down the corridor, and out the rear of the house.

  The three walked leisurely through the rear garden and passed on the east side of the conservatory and orangery. Augusta pointed out the pond off to the south. They continued forward to the stables to visit the horses.

  The barn-the first barn-held mostly the saddle mounts. There were the equines that had the most personal contact with the family.

  The ladies moved away from Lord William to approach the individual stalls.

  "Splendid confirmation," Lord William praised Damocles. "He has an intelligent look to him."

  "My father's mount."

  "And why shouldn't he have the best?" Lord William remarked. "Or two or three. Has he a hunter?"

  "Plato. He's down three stalls."

  Miss Skeffington followed behind Lord William a few paces to view the gelding.

  "I say, he's a dandy, all right." Plato's soft nose settled into Lord William's hand. "And a jolly good disposition too"

  Miss Skeffington, who apparently felt safe enough with Lord William's assessment of Plato, stepped closer and patted his neck.

  Footfalls sounded, growing louder. Soon Richard appeared at the doorway.

  "I beg your pardon. I hope I'm not disturbing you." He kept his distance from the group, and Augusta wondered, when was he ever not welcomed in her company?

  "We're admiring His Grace's horses," Miss Skeffington told him.

  "There is much to admire. Please take your time. I'd like to have a word with Augusta"

  Augusta did not care for the sound of the declaration. She moved to the next stall, across the aisle from where Miss Skeffington and Lord William stood. Richard strode to Augusta's side.

  "Moo tells me three gentlemen were asked to leave last night," Richard said just above a whisper.

  "I am aware of who was asked to leave, thank you. Papa informed me this morning." Augusta stroked Orion's arched neck, then proceeded to the next stall.

  "I thought the news might be upsetting to you" Richard sounded concerned but he really needn't have been.

  "Why on earth would you think it would upset me?" Who had appointed Richard her keeper?

  "Well, they were lured by Charlotte. I am quite certain it was not of her doing-"

  "As am I," Augusta agreed. "I should not be angry at Char-Char but those men ... Good riddance, I say"

  "Good riddance, indeed," Richard mimicked, albeit appearing relieved.

  "As it happens, I am in debt to Char-Char for removing the undesirables." "

  "There are beaux aplenty, Gusta, do not lose heart" Richard's supportive nature was not needed this time, but she felt fortunate she could rely on her good friend to not let her spirits sink. "Not a Blade or Blood among them. Lord Arthur and Sir Warren Cantrell will certainly come up to scratch with your slightest encouragement"

  I am not sure I wish to go so far as to encourage them" Augusta considered the two of them the more questionable gentlemen.

  "Lord Marsdon, Lord Tremaine, and Sir Samuel Pruitt all appear to be fine fellows"

  "Yes, they are, Richard." Augusta remained calm and humored her good friend.

  "Mr. Allendale, Lord Stanton, Sir Benjamin Pelfry, and Lord William, here," he whispered the last name as not to be overheard, "show much promise, don't you think? All have good qualities."

  "Yes, Richard. They're all splendid."

  "Oh, yes, and we should not overlook Lord Fieldstone."

  No, Augusta could hardly forget him. Among the gentlemen present, he still somehow managed to remain in a class all to himself.

  "The viscount is an unparalleled catch" Richard was not telling Augusta anything she hadn't already heard nor reminded herself.

  "That is what I understand, and I am flattered by his attention." Was Augusta foolish not to accept him outright? As yet he had not offered for her, thus she could not accept a proposal which she had not received.

  Miss Skeffington's and Lord William's burst of laughter echoed throughout the building.

  "There really is no reason you should take a personal interest in these matters," Augusta whispered for Richard's ears alone.

  "But I am concerned, Gusta. You are my. . " He paused, stared at her, and swallowed. "Friend"

  That is not what he had meant to say.

  This whole business of finding a husband was sounding more and more as if it were a horse race-odds and betting notwithstanding. Augusta needed the council of her father, her aunt, perhaps even her sisters. There were still too many men present. What she needed was a way to reduce their number.

  "Who might this be?" Miss Skeffington called out, sounding enchanted, on approaching the pony in the end stall.

  "That is Buttercup," Richard supplied. "My father's gift to the Worth sisters some years ago."

  "But he's much too small for any of you to ride now."

  "He's not for riding, he pulls the girls' cart" Richard left Augusta's side to greet the b
rown and white pony.

  Buttercup nickered at Richard's approach. She had always liked him, and Augusta suspected he was just as fond of her.

  Glancing outside, Augusta spied the various rigs owned by the guests: a black Tilbury, two curricles, a landaulet, and a high-perched green phaeton. Sir Warren's, if Augusta was not mistaken.

  She turned to her small, well-worn cart pony and smiled when a perfectly brilliant idea came to her.

  "Yes, Buttercup . .

  "A drive in the country! It's a splendid idea, Lady Augusta." Sir Warren's mood brightened. "I'll have my phaeton readied at once!"

  "I've already sent word" Augusta, in hopes that Sir Warren would accept her invitation, had retrieved her bonnet, gloves, and parasol.

  "I'll need my hat and coat" He snapped for a footman to relay the message to his man at once before setting off for the stables.

  Augusta needed two quick steps to every one of Sir Warren's long strides to keep up with him. It seemed he was just as excited for their outing as she. They slowed nearing the corner of the stable yard, where their transport would be standing ready for them.

  "I'll wager I can get my cattle moving at least up to-" Sir Warren stared at Buttercup harnessed to the small cart and stopped in his tracks. "Is this some kind of a joke?"

  "It's my pony Buttercup!" Augusta announced with enthusiasm, tying the ribbons of her bonnet under her chin. "You've been such a sport to give me a drive nearly every afternoon while I was in Town, I thought I would return the favor."

  Sir Warren had been struck speechless, and perhaps by the expression on his face, thoughtless.

  "Have no worry, Sir Warren. Buttercup is plenty strong. She can reliably relay the both of us to the Wild Rose for a refreshing glass of lemonade."

  "Lem-on-ade, you say?" Sir Warren replied weakly.

  "He's taken all three of us girls many times, sometimes four of us. There is no need to worry" Augusta led Sir Warren by the arm toward her cart, climbed in, and patted the seat beside her. "You may sit right there"

  He stepped into the cart and a footman approached with a coat, a hat, and gloves. The hat Sir Warren placed upon his head and he accepted the coat and gloves, laying them across his knee.

  Augusta put up her parasol and handed it to Sir Warren. "Hold this for me, please"

  The baronet could not have looked any more dismal.

  Satisfied that they were ready to depart, Augusta took up the ribbons and called out, "Come on, Buttercup, let's go!"

  The pony stepped out of the stable yard, down the drive, and onto the road. It might have seemed the cart hit every pebble and hole in the road. Augusta was sure they could have walked faster than they traveled. She glanced over at Sir Warren, who, she was fairly certain, was completely miserable.

  After a good half hour she told him, "The Rose is just around that bend" They hit a large rock that, by Sir Warren's reaction, must have loosened every tooth in his mouth. Another twenty minutes later she announced, "There it is!" Augusta pointed to the establishment that lay far off in the distance. It took another twenty minutes to arrive.

  "Afternoon, milady," Fred, the stable boy, greeted her.

  "Good day, Fred. Will you water and watch over Buttercup for me while we step inside for some lemonade?"

  "'Appy to, milady. Just as always."

  Augusta led the way into the front door of the Wild Rose, and a dejected Sir Warren trailed behind her. The poor man had only lemonade to look forward to instead of a bracing shot of spirits, which might have given him the strength to endure the drive home.

  The innkeeper placed them in Augusta's usual parlor, and Sir Warren sat, not bothering to remove his gloves, coat, or hat.

  "It's a simple place, but the staff is friendly and they serve very nice lemonade-and it's close by" Augusta smiled in pure delight, for Sir Warren looked miserable. She pulled off her gloves, removed her bonnet, and unbuttoned her pelisse, intending to relax.

  "Yes, I can see-" Sir Warren's head made a quick turn, and his eyes widened as if something had caught his attention. "Will you excuse me for a few minutes?"

  Augusta nodded and set her gloves and bonnet next to her parasol on a small table. A few minutes went by, then a few more.

  Five minutes after the lemonade and a plate of biscuits had been delivered, Augusta decided not to wait for him.

  Fifteen minutes later she began to wonder where Sir Warren had gone.

  At twenty-five minutes, after she had finished her glass of lemonade, she moved from the table and ventured out of the parlor.

  Toward the back of the establishment, behind the two closed doors, Augusta spotted Sir Warren, well occupied with a handful of cards in his left hand, and in the background she heard a roar from a group of gentlemen after the distinct crack of dice.

  With his hat off, it seemed as if he were planning to remain far longer than he'd planned to remain in Augusta's company. She gathered her things, settled her bill, and stepped into her awaiting cart.

  "Walk on, Buttercup," she called to the pony, clucked her tongue, and smiled as they left for home.

  Bet a guinea, get a guinea!" Sir Nicholas Petersham stood before his bright yellow phaeton, calling out to the other gentlemen gathering around him.

  Through her opera glasses from the window of the Librarium, Muriel watched the local baronet and the group of male guests gathering around him.

  "We each set a Golden Boy on the dash. If you can reach them in seven seconds, you can have them both!"

  "I'm game, old man!" called out Lord Stanton, who stood off to one side, but where Muriel could see his face clearly.

  Both gentlemen climbed onto the rig and seated themselves. Sir Nicholas held up his golden coin, then set it on the custom-built tray before them with great flourish. Lord Stanton dug in his vest pocket and pulled out his guinea, placing it next to the first coin.

  "Seven seconds!" Sir Nicholas warned Lord Stanton, waving his whip in the air. "Ready, steady-go!" He cracked the whip and yelled, urging his team onward.

  "What's going on?" Young Mr. Lloyd stepped into the Librarium in time to see Lord Stanton thrown back onto the seat of the vehicle. He leaned forward, stretching out his arm but was held back a good ten seconds.

  By the exchanged glances among the throng of waiting gentlemen, they found the feat difficult to believeeven though they had seen it with their own eyes.

  "What are you two looking at?" Charlotte, who must have been passing by, entered the room. She gazed out the window, observing what held Muriel's and Mr. Lloyd's attention. "Eavesdropping again, are you, Moo?"

  "There goes Lord Tremaine!" Muriel announced. Charlotte and Mr. Lloyd stared as the yellow phaeton shot away from the gathered gentlemen and, for a second time, streaked down the drive.

  "They each set a guinea on the tray before them," Muriel explained. "If the passenger can reach them during the first seven seconds of the ride, they are allowed to keep them both"

  "Seems simple enough" Mr. Lloyd shrugged.

  "With Sir Nicholas involved, I suspect some duplicity," Charlotte replied.

  "Exactly," Muriel concurred. "And I fully expect everyone loses" She looked to Mr. Lloyd. "Do you happen to have a guinea I could borrow? I'll be happy to return it to you in a few minutes."

  Mr. Lloyd checked his pockets, finally pulled out a coin, and held it out to her.

  "Thank you" She took the guinea and handed Charlotte her opera glasses. "Mind these while I'm away, will you?" Muriel stepped from the window and out of the room.

  "What is she going to do?" Mr. Lloyd did not know Muriel well, and Charlotte imagined it might shock him to learn what she was capable of.

  "I expect she's about to challenge Sir Nicholas."

  "She can't do that-she'll lose for certain." Mr. Lloyd retrieved the opera glasses from Charlotte to better watch the commotion below.

  "Do not be so sure, Mr. Lloyd. Moo is very clever."

  Holding the glasses to his eyes, Mr. Lloyd did his best to na
rrate what he saw below. "There she is. She's speaking to Sir Nicholas ... I don't know exactly what. The men seem to be taken aback by her presence. Now they are laughing."

  "They're laughing at Moo?" Charlotte could not imagine her younger sister allowing that to happen.

  "No, wait. I think they're laughing at Sir Nicholas." Mr. Lloyd shook his head, apparently uncertain. "I cannot discern which ... I wish I knew what they were saying."

  "Muriel has mastered that particular skill quite well."

  "At the moment, I'm thinking I'd best spend some time learning it myself." Once again he focused on the events before them. "I don't think Sir Nicholas wants her to participate, and she does not appear to be giving up the idea very easily. It seems she is being quite stubborn"

  If only her sister could limit herself to merely stubborn. Sir Nicholas could not know how persistent Muriel could prove. Did he even suspect she would eventually achieve her end?

  "Ah, success! Look there." Charlotte pointed out Muriel stepping into the rig-being hoisted into was a more apt description-and Sir Nicholas climbing in after her.

  "I cannot believe this." The opera glasses remained fixed before Mr. Lloyd's eyes.

  Cheering from the onlookers accompanied the customary laying down of coins. Even from the Librarium, Charlotte could hear the shouts up until the moment the phaeton sped away.

  The cheering stopped. The gentlemen stood quiet.

  "What's happened?" Mr. Lloyd searched the immediate area for signs of the outcome. "I can't tell."

  "I know what's happened" Charlotte smiled with full confidence in her sister.

  A few minutes later the yellow phaeton returnedwithout Muriel, and the men cheered again.

  "Where has she gone?" Mr. Lloyd again searched the area below.

  Muriel stepped into the room, reappearing behind them, all smiles, holding up a guinea.

  "Thank you, Mr. Lloyd" She held out her left palm, returning his coin. Muriel held up a second guinea in her right hand. "Now I have one too!"

  Augusta left Buttercup and the cart at the stables and came striding down the corridor of Faraday Hall with purpose.

  "Huxley," she called out while untying the ribbons of her bonnet.