The Suitor List by Shirley Marks Read Free Book Online

the precarious height of the phaeton or the baronet attempting
to break a land record of a particular peer's, accounting
for today's accelerated speed.
    "Was it Sir Warren and that ridiculous green monstrosity of his?" Sir Samuel guessed, raising one of his
well-formed eyebrows, but he did not wait for her to answer and continued, "It is obvious you have been through
somewhat of a shock. Your nerves are quite overwrought" He paused. "Might I suggest something ...
more soothing, calming?"
    She glanced at her aunt, who had stepped back from
the couple out of sight, just around the corner. Augusta
did not need to wonder how much her relative had heard.
She guessed her aunt had witnessed everything.
    "A stroll through a lovely garden, perhaps?" He
watched Augusta's reaction as if to measure her approval.
"If I may, I will take you to a place where there are beautiful, exquisite flowers to gaze upon. It will remind
you of your sorely missed gardens at Faraday Hall."

    Truly, could he do such a thing in the middle of Town?
    "It shall restore you and you'll feel quite ...
transported, I promise you." A wondrous smile crossed
his face that convinced her that every word he spoke
was to be believed.
    Augusta found herself returning his sentiment. Her
glance to her aunt did not go unnoticed by Sir Samuel.
He stepped to Mrs. Parker's side and they had a short,
quiet conversation. She smiled and apparently gave her
consent to whatever it was he had proposed.
    "We shall return shortly, and do not fear, I shall not
allow any harm to come to her." Sir Samuel returned to
Augusta with a renewed bounce in his step and offered
her his arm.
    The man was so impatient, honestly, he had to be reminded that Augusta needed to collect her bonnet and
pelisse before leaving. They stepped outside onto the
walk.
    "We need only travel down the street here and turn
left" Sir Samuel gestured with his hat before replacing it
upon his head. "My aunt lives down only a few houses
more."
    Not that Augusta found walking distasteful, but it really was not conducive to eliminating the pain in her
head. Sir Samuel did seem empathetic to her discomfort
and reassured her that with the short stroll and their engaging conversation, they would arrive in no time at all.
    "We hardly had a chance to speak last night," he reminded her, then chuckled. "Not that there was enough
time. You had more than your fair share of admirers."

    "I do apologize." Augusta remembered he had attended the Sutherland dinner. He sat where it was impossible for them to speak, and she could barely see him
throughout the duration of the meal.
    "There is nothing for it." He shrugged. "Can't imagine
what you could have done any differently. Ah-here we
are now. Sir Samuel motioned to an arched opening
with a tall, sturdy iron gate.
    Ivy, originating from beyond the gate, clung to the
building. The greenery seemed to creep out and around
from the outer edges, toward the street, softening the
starkness of the smooth surface.
    "We'll go in through the side entrance" He fished
about in his vest pocket and pulled out a key. "We'll let
ourselves in, the Baroness won't mind." With a wellpracticed turn, the deed was done and moments later
the iron gate swung open.
    "Is she at home?" Augusta took a tentative step into
the lush green courtyard.
    "I believe so. One can usually find her tending her
garden."
    Augusta's gaze came to rest upon a person wearing a
large hat, who squatted low to the ground tending to the
plants, and who was seemingly unaware of the creak of
the gate as they entered.
    "Samuel, have you returned so soon?" The gardener
did not stand or glance in their direction.
    "Aunt, I have brought a guest," Sir Samuel announced.
    "Without any warning?" The hat came off with one
hand; in the other were a pair of clippers that disappeared
into an apron pocket. The woman turned to regard them. "Look at me-I'm in no condition to receive guests"
She pulled at