The Suitor List

  Shirley Marks

  This title was previously published by Avalon Books; this version has been reproduced from the Avalon book archive files.

  A special acknowledgment to my fellow Avalon author Beate Boeker and her Latin teacher, Jurgen Wagner, for their assistance

  March 1811-Faraday Hall, Essex

  Oh, Moo, do put that book away" Seated at her usual spot at breakfast, Lady Augusta Worth turned a page of the La Belle Assemblee magazine before her. "It is exceedingly rude to read at the table."

  "And what are you doing, pray? Browsing fashion plates is equally as impolite." Muriel sat directly across from her eldest sister. She placed her morning correspondence in her book, marking her place, flipped it closed with a snap, and glared.

  "It is most certainly of no consequence to you, but as I am to come out this year, I must have all new gowns and a court dress for when I am presented to the Queen!"

  Fair-haired Charlotte, the middle sister, remained quiet during the heated exchange and demurely gazed into her porridge bowl while nibbling on a corner of dry toast.

  "The Queen!" Muriel snorted.

  "I'm sure the Queen shan't want a determined bluestocking such as you presented, I daresay." Augusta placed her napkin next to her plate.

  "I'm twelve!" Muriel cried out.

  Charlotte looked up from her bowl and stared across the table, seemingly out the large picture window across from her that faced the expanse of the front drive of Faraday Hall.

  She had the peculiar talent of holding her left eye perfectly still while moving her right eye outward with a decided twitch. The effect was quite unsettling at the least and wholly disturbing in the extreme.

  Her right eye began to quiver and it alone moved to stare at the eldest sister while her left eye remained quite still and continued to look out the picture window.

  "Stop it, Char-Char!" Augusta brought her hands to her eyes, shielding the middle sister from view.

  Muriel laughed out loud. "Oh, Char-Char, that is famous!"

  Charlotte closed her eyes, pressing her palms to her lids, and chuckled. Performing the quivering eye trick kept her eyes open for such an extraordinary amount of time it made them ache.

  "Stop it! Stop it!" Augusta turned to scold her. "No one will want you if they see you do that!"

  "And you know all there is about being a real lady, don't you, Gusta?" Muriel slipped from her chair and swept her book off the table and into her arms.

  "Oh, Moo, you just-"

  "Girls!" Their aunt, Mrs. Penelope Parker, stood at the doorway. Her lace cap and somber attire indicated her widow status. In reality, she was not much older than Augusta. "Please, ladies do not go on so"

  Augusta straightened and sniffed in what she must have considered victory.

  Charlotte gave a little sigh, displaying innocence.

  Muriel, definitely the more precocious of the three nieces, made a triumphant chuckle and offered a selfsatisfied smile.

  "Tell them," Augusta demanded in a straightforward manner. "Tell them both!"

  Aunt Penny dispensed herself a cup of coffee from the urn on the sideboard while her eldest niece continued.

  "I am going to Town" Augusta's tirade did not ebb. "I am going to be presented. I am to find a husband. I am to be the first one to be married."

  "Well, you have to be the first because if any man sets eyes upon Char-Char before making your acquaintance, no one will want you!" Muriel added to her sister's diatribe with precision timing, knowing exactly what to say.

  "That will be quite enough, Muriel!" Aunt Penny scolded.

  "Tell Moo she's not going because she's just a silly little girl. Not to mention childish!" Augusta glared at her youngest sister. "Char can't go because-" Well ... because Muriel had been correct about their middle sister.

  On first sight there was no denying that shy, unassuming Charlotte was a diamond of the first water. Everyone who was acquainted with their family knew it to be true. And if Augusta were to make a match, she needed to be without Charlotte, who would surely lure all the men away.

  "We are to leave for Town in two months' time," Aunt Penny announced, occupying the chair next to Charlotte.

  "Two months?" Augusta stood, clearly outraged. She would miss the beginning entirely. "The Season begins in just over a fortnight. We should leave in a day or two. What does Papa have to say about this?"

  "Your father and I have given your coming out, for each of your entrees into Society, great consideration. We must be very careful . . ." Aunt Penny was their mother's youngest sibling. She had also grown up in a family with three beautiful sisters and knew where the difficulties lay.

  "Do you not know what a catch you are? All of you" Aunt Penny stared at each one in turn. "You have connections, beauty, position. Your father, His Grace, and I have done our best to shield you from the influences of the outside world. But now you are young ladies, nearly all at the age to consider marriage. There are men out there, not all of them gentlemen."

  Augusta, Charlotte, and Muriel exchanged glances.

  "Some men would seek you out because you three have beauty beyond compare. To some undesirable suitors your dowry is more than a modest fortune they cannot ignore. And some would wish for the excellent connections that marriage into the Duke's family would bring." Aunt Penny leaned back in her chair and continued. "His Grace, your father, has bestowed upon you everything he has-his love and attention. He has spared no expense in your education."

  A groan emanated from Muriel, followed by an animated gaze heavenward.

  "All of you are accomplished-oh, dear, yes, I should say so. In dance, music, various artistic achievements, and languages. Your manners, deportment, and character are without equal. Any gentleman would-should feel honored to have you for a wife-you mustn't forget that" Aunt Penny's eyes seemed to mist over. "You deserve the best. Why should you not make a love match? Do you not recall how your own parents had been? They were very happy, indeed."

  Before Mama died, Augusta mused. And look at Papa now. Alone, with only his four children to give him joy. Fredrick, his only son, had already flown the nest to attend Eton. What would happen to their father when his daughters had all married and left?

  "I know what difficulties lie ahead" Aunt Penny regarded each of her nieces, who stared back in wide-eyed fascination. "You must be cautious in choosing, for once married you are at the mercy of your husband.

  "The highest ranking are not always the most worthy and you may not find their ilk agreeable," she cautioned her nieces. "Even you may not know who will win your heart. You must remember that you always have a choice. Do not allow anyone to tell you otherwise."

  "Good afternoon, Charlotte" Richard Wilbanks escorted his eldest sister, Emily, into the Blue Parlor of Faraday Hall.

  "Isn't this all so very exciting!" Emily was friend to both Charlotte and Augusta. The Wilbanks resided in the adjacent property; their home was called Yewhill Grange. "Mama is ever so glad to be rid of us, if only for a few hours, while she's making final preparations to leave"

  Charlotte pushed the harp off her shoulder and firmly onto its feet before rising. She straightened the skirts of her green sprig muslin. "Pray, Em, please do not speak of going to Town when Gusta arrives"

  "Arrives?" Richard, who had already disposed of his gloves and hat when he entered, glanced about, looking for the eldest sister. "Where is she? I thought she'd meet us at the door with her list of a half-dozen frocks to order from every modiste in Town."

  "Oh, such a notion!" Charlotte pressed her fingers to her lips to stifle her giggle.

  "And two hats from every milliner, three for each new dress" He directed his discourse first to his sister and then to Charlotte. "Then she'd plan to purchase a reticule
for each dress and hat combination."

  "That is famous!" Charlotte felt her face warm at the idea-extravagance, thy name was Augusta!

  "And what other gewgaws does she plan to purchase? I dare not contemplate the possibilities, but I am quite certain she will contrive something as extravagant and outrageous!"

  "Oh, Richard," Emily scolded while working off her gloves. "He is truly addled in the upper works, CharChar. Don't believe a word he says."

  Charlotte imagined the finery Augusta would have to do without and felt the smile fade from her face. "But that sounds so delicious-so many dresses, hats, and-"

  "What is it, Char-Char?" Emily approached her, seemingly showing as much concern as Charlotte herself felt for her sister.

  "Augusta is quite put out because she will miss the beginning of the Season," Charlotte enlightened her friends.

  "What?" Emily cried. "You can't mean that!"

  "How I wish it were not true, Em. Aunt Penny and Papa have decided it would be best. They are making plans that she arrive near the end of the Season."

  "They think it would be best?" It was difficult to say if Emily was just as upset or more so than Augusta had been. "But how is she ever to meet any gentlemen? They'll all be gone-the good ones will, at any rate"

  "One would think as much," Charlotte concurred, but maintained her opinion that her father and her aunt must have known what was best for Augusta-even if she and her sisters, and apparently their friends, had not agreed.

  "Where is Gusta now?" Richard seemed genuinely concerned that Augusta was nowhere near.

  "She left the breakfast room hours ago. I haven't seen her since." Charlotte moved to the chintz blue-striped sofas near the hearth. "Our tea will be here soon."

  "I believe I know where she is to be found. You two need not wait for us" Richard headed for the door. "I'll fetch her."

  Augusta glanced down at the rose-colored skirts of her morning dress, then lifted her head to gaze at the marble statue of her mother that stood in the center of the hedge maze. She wished her mother were still alive.

  Her mother might have stood in agreement with Papa and Mrs. Parker, but she certainly would have sympathized with Augusta and perhaps taken some of the pain of her disappointment away.

  "Gusta, are you all right?"

  Augusta spun round at Richard's unexpected voice. "How did you know I was here?" She was not fit company for anyone.

  "You always come here when you want to be alone" Richard smiled and tugged at a dry leaf on one of the hedge walls. "I know how upset you must be ... especially with your father."

  "I'm not upset with him in the least." She did her best to look anything but put-out.

  Tranquil. Calm. Indifferent.

  "I have every confidence that Papa has my best interests at heart. He always has. I have no reason to question him now." But she did not care for his decision.

  Richard regarded her beneath his arched eyebrow. "Then what is it that's bothering you?"

  "I'm not denying his choice doesn't sit well with me. I had thought ... "

  "Of your mother" The compassion in Richard's voice touched her. "Your mother, if she were still alive, I'm sure would have wholeheartedly agreed with the Duke. You know how famously they got on"

  Augusta's parents had been in love. They never argued and above all showed complete devotion to each other and their family.

  Richard took up Augusta's hand in a reassuring manner, as he had many times before. "Oh, you shan't miss a thing, I can assure you. Not one dinner party, rout, soiree, or ball will be left to your imagination. I have no doubt that Em will write of every eligible gentleman, if he is worth notice, and he shall be described in excruciating detail-down to the shine on his boots"

  "Will she?" Augusta began to feel hopeful that she would not be entirely closed off from news of the Town's festivities.

  Oh, what a wonderful friend Emily was.

  "I believe it is your father's wish that you be spared the crush of the beginning of the Season" Richard placed her hand on the arm of his brown frock coat and led her away from the statue.

  "You mean the fun," Augusta corrected him. Wasn't this what every young lady hoped for-to go to London for the new gowns, to attend parties until all hours of the morning, and to dally with dozens of young men?

  "You'll not be missing a thing." Richard stepped away from Augusta. "I can promise you the dramatics will restart when you arrive. Oh, yes!" He chuckled and looked away from her as though he could imagine the scene playing out before him. "Most of the gentlemen, those poor unfortunates who made hasty engagements before your arrival, will consider their futures lost once you arrive. The poor souls who gave up on this Season's finest and have already abandoned Town will rue that decision. Who knows? Some of them may even decide to return"

  Augusta giggled at the silly notion.

  Richard faced her, his expression all that was serious. "I'm sure there will be more than one young man who'll regret his circumstance once you've made your appearance. Eldest daughter of the Duke of Faraday with a tremendous"-his gaze swept over her-"dowry, a very favorable prospect of a sizeable fortune, as well as an unparalleled beauty. You, my dear Gusta," Richard continued, "are not one to be ignored."

  "What was Moo's excuse this time?" Augusta strode into the Blue Parlor as if she were perfectly punctual and anyone who arrived after her should be considered tardy. She and Richard approached Charlotte and Emily, who were already seated on either side of the tea tray.

  "Our dear little sister said she was writing the headmaster, petitioning, yet again, to attend Eton as the first female student," Charlotte answered. "This time she is arguing that her enrollment would illustrate the modern evolution and progressive nature of the establishment."

  Richard took the seat next to Emily. Augusta gave an exasperated sigh and sat next to Charlotte, who poured two additional cups for the new arrivals.

  "It is simply the most horrid thing, I tell you." Emily's face screwed up in a most unattractive way. "How could it possibly be the best for you? Why would your aunt and father insist Gusta miss the beginning of the Season?"

  "Em, will you leave well enough alone!" Richard scolded his sister. "The Duke has made up his mind and I daresay he will not be changing it on your account"

  "I can imagine Papa's reasoning very well" Charlotte handed a cup to Richard.

  "Do you?" Emily might have been the only other person who understood what Augusta felt.

  "If there is a man out there waiting for someone with a fortune, then they would settle on the first lady to come along with a substantial dowry." Charlotte handed a cup to Richard. "It would never occur to them to wait until the end of the Season for our dear Augusta to arrive"

  "When one is a fortune hunter, one must secure the fortune at hand" Richard agreed with her.

  "Only a man with particular character would wait for just the right woman to come along." Charlotte turned to hand a plate of biscuits to Augusta. "Just as you should wait for the perfect gentleman, my dear sister."

  "Must you always be so accommodating?" Augusta snapped, snatching the plate before her. The biscuits nearly slid onto her lap.

  "I am sorry if my temperament disturbs you as it is apt to do. There is nothing I can do, for it is my disposition." Sweet-natured Charlotte passed a second plate of small cakes to Emily, who offered them to Richard on her right.

  "Do not allow Augusta to vex you, Char-Char." Richard removed one of the cakes for himself. "You are truly an angel and believe me, every man in London will be more than willing to drop at your feet. Perhaps that is what your sister truly fears."

  "Oh, dear. I do not want anyone falling before me" Charlotte gasped with genuine fright.

  "Do not worry, dear, they'll all enjoy it immensely." Richard's smile reassured her.

  "Is that not talk you should save for your betrothed?" Augusta couldn't help but dig into Richard's own unfortunate circumstances. He might like everyone to believe he was content with his ar
ranged marriage, but Augusta thought differently. How could one be satisfied with a match not of one's choosing?

  "Miss Skeffington and I are well suited, and I am more than willing to proceed with our marriage."

  "When will the nuptials take place?" Charlotte appeared greatly interested in Richard's affairs and did not seem to have an adverse opinion of his situation.

  "After the Season, I expect. We are allowed our last bit of freedom before we succumb to the Parson's mouse„ trap.

  "And how would you compare your Miss Skeffington to .. " Augusta glanced in Emily's and Charlotte's direction and shrugged. "Let us say, Char-Char?"

  Richard glanced over to Augusta's very lovely sister, who blushed attractively at his casual inspection. "I cannot imagine anyone could hold a candle to our delightful Char-Char, but I can with certainty say that Olivia is all that is agreeable."

  "How gratifying for you" Augusta displayed a tight smile of her own.

  "I count myself a most fortunate man." Richard laid his hand over his heart and bowed his head.

  Only time would indeed tell if he were correct.

  Time crawled by at a snail's pace. Sitting at Faraday Hall with increased bad humor, Augusta was not to be trifled with. Muriel, whose usual taunts caused arguments that could last for days, found that a mere glance in her elder sister's direction would cause the same outcome. Even Charlotte dared not irritate her older sibling just by being pleasant and polite.

  The ensuing absence of Augusta's best friend Emily and her brother Richard did nothing but remind her of how she had been left in the country while they were having a grand time in London.

  Emily did not allow a single day to go by without taking up her pen and jotting a lengthy correspondence of the party she attended the night before and the going-ons about Town.

  Augusta's cousin Miss Miriam Kimball, also out for her first Season, wrote her daily. After the end of the third week, Miriam was delighted to announce her engagement to possibly the catch of the Season, Earl Dawson.

  Indeed, Augusta felt certain that by the time she arrived in Town, the excitement would have faded, the parties would be thin, and, above all, no single gentlemen would remain.