Patty's Suitors by Carolyn Wells

Patty Fairfield sparkles through a season of parties, teasing courtship, and family warmth, turning every gathering into a stage for wit and flirtation. Whether preparing for a Valentine costume party with Nan's amused help, competing in comic winter games, or helping welcome the Hepworths home, she draws admirers with her quick tongue and lively charm while insisting on her freedom. At the Homers' Valentine celebration, Patty is paired, pursued, and delighted by the attentions of Kenneth Harper and Philip Van Reypen, whose rivalry adds both humor and tension to the evening. A moonlit balcony encounter, a forgotten fan, and a wrong-number telephone call introduce the mysterious musician Kit Cameron, whose wit and violin playing complicate Patty's social world in unexpectedly romantic ways. As gossip, matchmaking, and "kimono chats" deepen the emotional undertow, Patty reflects honestly on Kenneth's sincerity and her own reluctance to be hurried into love. The mood shifts sharply when a country outing ends in quarantine after diphtheria is discovered, trapping the household together. In the crisis, Patty's generosity, courage, and good sense come to the fore, revealing the resilience beneath her playful surface. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.