What? Wasn't Richard the type of man to fight for Augusta? Muriel did not think there should be a duel, but a fierce shouting match and a few missed punches might be in order.
"I believe he is uncertain of her response. He said something about the `winds of fate' . . " She tried to recall his exact words. "I walked with him for a bit. We parted on the terrace. He headed toward the maze"
"The maze. Come on!" Richard grabbed Muriel by the hand and headed full speed to the Lapidarium.
"Rich-ard! Richard!" she cried out, trying to keep up with him. Not only was he taller, his legs were longer and-
She let out a high-pitched squeal in surprise when he lifted her from the ground. He tucked her under his arm, racing the rest of the way to the stone structure and up the steps before placing her on her feet once again.
He did not ask about her well-being or if she had enjoyed the journey but looked toward the house, then over by the terrace, presumably searching for any sign of Augusta and Sir Samuel.
"There they are, at the camel entrance" Richard stepped back and guided Muriel in front of him. "Get your glasses, go on"
Muriel reached into her skirt pocket, pulling out her opera glasses, pencil, and the folded paper with the list of names. "Hold this, will you?" She handed him the collection and pulled the glasses free, raising them to her eyes.
She caught sight of the maze and moved down its side, passing over the lion topiary entrance to the camel topiary where, at once, Muriel spotted Augusta and Sir Samuel standing at the opening.
"What are they saying?" Richard asked quickly, wasting no time, seeming as anxious as Muriel was to know what transpired.
Muriel turned to face him, lowering the glasses. "I cannot. I am forbidden to spy on my siblings. You know that, Richard."
"He's going to ask her to marry him. I must know her answer." He crushed the folded paper in his fist. The look of concern on Richard's face and the emotional crack in his voice was something Muriel had never heard. "Moo, she is everything to me"
Muriel completely understood what this meant to him, but shook her head, denying his request. "I cannot. Please do not ask me again."
If Richard was angry, he did not allow it to show. He simply held out his palm. "May I try, then?"
She laid the opera glasses in his hand and moved back, allowing him to achieve the best possible position, not that it would aid him in the least.
Sir Samuel Pruitt, only sixteen years of age, nearly three years younger than Augusta herself, was ready to do his duty. To carry on the family name. He currently held one of his grandfather's lesser titles of baronet. He was in line to take his father's title, Earl of Hampstead, and when his grandfather expired, he would become the Duke of Cubberleigh.
If Augusta understood correctly, he was most fortunate in finding a love match. But could Augusta claim the same?
"Lady Augusta," Sir Samuel pleaded, imploring her to give his troth proper consideration. As of yet she had not answered, but all the same, he seemed to know her doubts. "Tell me, is there truly no hope for me?"
"Sir Samuel .. "Augusta did not know how to phrase her words. He had been devoted to her for so long, wishing and hoping that she might care for him above the others. To be honest, she did not. "You have been the most faithful, considerate, and amiable of the gentlemen. You deserve so much better than- You need a lady who adores you. I am not she"
"But I worship you!" he continued. "I could not hold a female of my acquaintance in higher esteem"
"But I am afraid I do not feel the same" Augusta saw the brightness in his eyes dim. "I am very sorry. You deserve so much more. You deserve to be happy, and I'm sure one day you will find a wonderful woman. She will feel respect and adoration for you as equally as you do for her."
His head fell forward and she could not see his expression. Oh, how she did not wish to cause him pain. But Augusta knew she could not accept his offer of marriage.
She smiled, trying her best to coax a smile from him. "Please believe me. I think this is the best for both of us" She nodded, renewed her effort to smile, and was rewarded with his brightening expression.
"Perhaps next year ... if you should still wish to be married." Sir Samuel straightened with the restored hope. "I shall be seventeen by then"
"Your age does not concern me in the least. I simply believe we are not meant to be married to one another." She tried to bolster his confidence with, "You are very dear to me, and I should like to think of you as a great friend. I, or either of my sisters, can rely upon you, for both Charlotte and Muriel have only good accounts to recommend you."
"Please tell me, is there someone else?"
"No, there is no one" And that was the truth. "The house party has been an ill-conceived notion. I'm certain, as exceptional as the gentlemen are, I can honestly say there is not one who has laid claim to my heart"
"I see" The sadness in his voice returned. "But you are alone." His words sounded hollow, empty, just as she felt.
"I know," Augusta replied. She truly believed that being alone was far preferable to being with the wrong person, with someone you did not love.
After parting from Sir Samuel, Augusta wound her way into the maze and finally arrived in the center, feeling so very confused. She gazed up at the statue and wished, truly wished, her mother were here.
Aunt Penny had been all that was loving and did a wonderful job raising her sister's three daughters, but through no fault of her own, their aunt was not their mother.
Augusta sank onto the bench. At this moment, life was very difficult. As delightful, exciting, and trying as the house party had been, with fourteen eligible men in attendance, Augusta had not managed to meet a single man she wished to marry.
Emily and Lawrence Skeffington, how truly contented they looked. It was wonderful they had found one another. Augusta looked forward to celebrating their engagement. How lucky for Emily. She deserved to be happy in every way. As did her brother ... the thought of sitting at the same table with Richard and Olivia Skeffington ...
Augusta did not think she could face them-
She froze when it suddenly dawned on her. Augusta knew exactly ... But it could not be. She stood, as if readying herself to run from the terrible truth that had revealed itself.
But it was impossible.
Richard?
How could Augusta have fallen in love with Richard Wilbanks? He was to marry Olivia Skeffington.
How utterly stupid she was. How could this have happened?
She had never wanted to fall in love with him. Richard had never attempted to engage her feelings. He probably thought no more of her than his own sister.
Augusta's breath caught in her throat as the rush of emotions threatened to overtake her. Tears of sorrow stung at her eyes.
What was she going to do? Augusta had to attend the dinner tonight with both of them present. How could she face him knowing what she knew now, feeling what she now knew was love for her dear, dear friend Richard?
Augusta swiped the tears from her eyes and drew in a steadying breath. She had to bury her feelings and wish him well, both him and Miss Skeffington.
"Gusta?"
Augusta spun around at the sound of Richard's voice.
"Are you all right?" Standing under the ivied arch, he stared at her.
Why was he here? His gaze felt uncomfortable and intrusive. She did not want him near her, and above all, she did not want him to know she'd been crying.
"I was concerned about you," he said timidly.
"Concerned?" Had he known she'd just turned Sir Samuel down? Did he come to roast her about being unmarried, after all those gentlemen who had come from Town to court her? "Go ahead and laugh."
"Why should I laugh?"
"I've sent off most of the suitors and I'm destined to be alone." She felt contrary and especially did not want him feeling sorry for her. Augusta did not need his pity. "I shan't have anyone"
"I'm still here" He stared at her and she gazed back a
t him.
Something in his demeanor was decidedly different. Had she imagined it? Augusta felt unable to hang on to the resentment of her situation. She had so chided herself before he'd arrived.
"Thank you, Richard. I, too, value your friendship." It really did not matter if he married Miss Skeffington. Augusta knew he would always be her cherished friend. Nothing would change that. Not age, time, distance, nor marital status.
"I take it you've refused Sir Samuel"
"Yes, I did." Augusta raised her chin a bit higher and did not want to cry in front of him. Why did she think she always had to appear brave? "And I expect it will not be long before he takes his leave"
"I am glad they've all gone," he confessed. "I was certain from the start that you'd have none of them"
"Do not think you can-" Her reply died in her throat. "How could you-? All of them are gone?" Augusta blinked twice before regarding him with her eyes wide.
"I see that I have caught you by surprise for once" He smiled at her confusion. "Livy has handed me the mitten."
"Olivia Skeffington's cried off?" Augusta gasped. "What on Earth have you done to-"
"Now that's the Gusta I know, blaming me right off, before any of the facts are known."
"Well, she's done so for some reason, and if you haven't given her cause to rid herself of you, then what?"
"Lord William Felgate"
Augusta stared at him absolutely stunned and quite speechless.
I don't mind really, ours was an arranged affair. She's all right. Livy, that is." He glanced down at the stone bench and continued. "We suited well enough, but now that she's fallen in love with Lord William, she's much better off. Surely you must see?"
Richard sounded so calm, not as if his heart had been shattered at all. Augusta thought, however, that it must have been. He had always been a very sensitive boy, who had grown into a sensitive man. Could he stand there and tell her that his broken engagement did not matter to him?
"Our fathers won't be completely disappointed, mind you. They wanted our families connected, and Emily and Lawrence seem to have worked the whole thing behind our backs. They're to be married."
"Yes, Em and Mr. Skeffington" Come to think of it, Augusta hadn't ever remembered them dancing together. How they had managed to find one another she did not know. "Em told me herself. But what of Miss Skeffington? How could she form an attachment with someone else while she was engaged to you?"
"Apparently she felt my affection had been in question. She felt completely justified in diverting her interest from me."
"You?" Augusta could not imagine. Honest, faithful Richard would not look at any other woman while betrothed to Miss Skeffington. If Miss Skeffington had noticed his roving eyes, why hadn't Augusta? "Who is she?"
She might have been able to accept his marriage arrangement. It had existed for years, and he was to be wed to someone he did not truly love. But to now hear of someone new that Richard had been attracted to, when all along she felt ...
Augusta was almost afraid to hear the truth. She did not wish to hear that Richard could have true affection for some other female, other than his fiancee, other than herself.
"To be honest. ." Richard cleared his throat, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. "Livy did not like the way you and I laughed when we were together."
"That is very strange. We have known one another forever. I do not see how she could object"
"She did not like how comfortable we were when we spoke or the way we looked at one another" The closer he moved to Augusta, the softer his voice became. "Livy said we stared at one another as if there was longing."
"I certainly did not long for you," Augusta objected most wholeheartedly. At least she did not think she had previously, not before she realized she'd harbored an unexpected affection for him.
"Apparently you did, according to her." Richard stared at Augusta without blinking, without smiling. "I must confess, I did, secretly, long for you. I had no idea it was obvious."
Augusta's "oh" escaped on a sigh.
"So tell me, Gusta, can what Miss Skeffington said be true?" He stepped close and drew her near with one arm. "Is it possible that you could love me?"
Augusta stared into his eyes. If she said the wrong thing, it might drive Richard away. Above all, she did not wish to lose him.
It wasn't because she did not want to be alone or he might be her last chance to have a husband. Augusta did not wish to lose Richard because she truly loved him completely. She somehow must have always known, deep inside, they should be together.
"I do love you, Richard," Augusta confessed, fearing those might be the words that would cause him to flee. "I only realized it moments before you arrived. I feel so foolish. How could I not have known?"
"You could not be a bigger simpleton than I. I had no idea until Miss Skeffington so kindly informed me of the depth of my affection." Richard's smile grew across his face, beaming with the joy Augusta felt emerging from her soul. "What manner of dolt am I not to realize I have been in love for all these many months, nay, years perhaps?"
"Now what are we to do?" Augusta could do nothing else but smile at him.
"I will seek out your father and ask if I will be allowed to pay my addresses. I only hope he will not turn me away"
"I should not think so" Augusta thought of how much he had changed. He did not resemble the neighboring landowner's son, as he now looked the part of a proper suitor in his tailored jacket, breeches, and top boots. "I believe he will approve and place you at my mercy for the final decision."
"How can you be so sure?" Richard tugged at his vest and smoothed the crease in his sleeve as if nervous. "If my fate lies in your hands, I need not worry. You are as devoted to me as I am to you."
"You might be a bit overconfident of my affection. You have not even tried to kiss me yet." She played at seeming aloof and could not stop herself from teasing him. "How should I know that you truly care for me?"
"I've only just discovered I'd been in love with you. I had not even thought about kissing you yet," he remarked in near shock, but made to move toward her. Augusta hoped it was for the kiss she desperately desired.
"If you do not, you may lose me," she told him, hoping it would encourage him to act.
"I shan't want that to happen, not after everything we've just gone through" Richard hesitated. Perhaps he felt a bit nervous, unsure of how he should proceed.
"Take my hand" Augusta reached out for him, as she had so many times, but found something concealed in his fist. "What is this you have?"
Richard opened his hand, revealing crumpled paper. "Moo's list of your suitors." He unfolded and smoothed it as best he could.
Augusta glimpsed a column of names with a line through all but one. She felt not exactly guilty, but saddened that she had found that many gentlemen unsuitable.
"It was a silly idea, especially since I was right here all along." Richard proceeded to tear it in half and in half again, continuing until only tiny bits remained.
He drew Augusta nearer and whispered her name ever so softly. She gazed into his eyes and knew what was to come next. Eager to share their first intimate embrace, Augusta drew in a breath and waited. This was everything she had wished for: the familiarity, the warm affection, the closeness.
"We won't be needing this." With a single motion, he threw the handful of small pieces straight into the air.
Little white pieces, turning in the sunlight, looking very much like snow, hovered above their heads. Augusta giggled and Richard laughed.
Somehow it felt quite liberating, as if those gentlemen had been set free while she stood here with the only man she'd ever loved ... Richard.
Richard pressed his lips to hers in a delicate, soft, loving manner, kissing her among the pieces of paper fluttering down around them. Augusta leaned into him, savoring their first kiss, and looked forward to the many they would share in the years to come when they would finally be man and wife.
&nbs
p;
The Suitor List Page 14
