Read Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend for Free Online

is your daughter not here with you?’
    ‘The strain of it keeps her at home. She is excessively upset, as am I.’
    ‘I quite understand,’ Charlotte said, ‘but I need to know more if there is to be any hope. Have you the letters?’
    ‘Yes, I brought them.’ She opened her reticule and produced the letters, much folded to fit in the bag. #
    Charlotte took the letters and examined them quickly. ‘A woman’s hand,’ she said. ‘Left-handed I think. The paper is fine. No watermark. Cut from a larger sheet.’ She passed them to me and I saw that they were identical:
    We read that Mr Hickham seeks fallen fruit. Is it not wiser to take the apple from the tree? For fruit that has fallen may already have been sampled, perhaps by Mr Howard? Best to put it back and chuse another before it is too late.
    ‘To whom were they sent?’ Charlotte asked, wearing now a bemused expression.
    ‘To myself; my sister, Mrs Landsdowne; and my cousin, Mrs Mapplethorpe.’
    ‘And you are sure there are only the three?’
    ‘That is the matter! How would I know for sure?’ Mrs Ashby wailed.
    ‘Precisely,’ Charlotte said. ‘Now, how were they delivered? Were they in the post?’
    ‘They were found in the morning, slid under the door.’
    ‘And your sister and your cousin immediately brought them to your attention?’
    ‘Of course,’ Mrs Ashby answered.
    ‘When was this?’
    ‘Two days after the announcement,’ replied Mrs Ashby.
    Charlotte paused in her questioning, and Mrs Fitzhugh used the opportunity to refresh Mrs Ashby’s cup, which she gratefully accepted.
    Charlotte resumed. ‘You are very close to your sister?’
    Mrs Ashby nodded.
    ‘And to your cousin?’
    ‘Yes,’ Mrs Ashby answered, ‘she is a widow with no children and has always taken a special interest in my daughter.’
    Charlotte asked, ‘And it is well known that you are close to your sister and cousin? You are frequently seen together?’
    ‘Yes, of course, but what bearing can that have?’
    Charlotte ignored the question and continued: ‘And the gentleman in the letter, is he known to your daughter?’
    ‘What, Mr Howard? They have been introduced, but he is not comely and does not dance well and is a younger son and my daughter has always been rather particular.’
    Charlotte gave one of her quick smiles at this. Then she asked, ‘And what does your daughter say of this?’
    ‘She says nothing, of course! She is in a very nervous state.’
    ‘And you have no … enemies? Neither you, your husband, your daughter? Any members of your family?’
    ‘Enemies? No, that is absurd, we are universally well liked.’ That remark produced a sound from Mrs Fitzhugh remarkably like a laugh. Mrs Ashby did not seem to notice, and asked, ‘Do you have any advice for me, Miss House? Oh, I feel so silly, asking such a young woman advice for so delicate a matter.’
    Mrs Fitzhugh took Mrs Ashby’s hand. ‘You can have every confidence in Miss House. I have known her a very long time and can tell you there is no more capable person than she.’
    ‘And I will do everything I can to help as well,’ I added, much affected by the poor woman’s plight, although I did not think my assistance would amount to much.
    ‘I think I can offer some hope,’ Charlotte said.
    We all looked at her and Mrs Ashby asked, ‘But how? Who knows how far this slander has spread? If Lady M_ hears of this …’
    ‘Please, Mrs Ashby, do not distress yourself further. You must keep up appearances that all is well. Rest assured that we will do all in our power to help and again, I think I can offer some hope that the slander has not spread—yet.’
    ‘Oh, Miss House, if I could believe you,’ Mrs Ashby said, ‘but your words do give me some hope.’
    Charlotte stood. ‘I am glad that I can at least offer that aid. Now we must begin our enquiries and you must return to your family and try to reassure them.’
    We all stood and I stept out to see to Mrs Ashby’s things. When