The Suitor List by Shirley Marks

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