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

Woodsen.’
    ‘Thank you, Mr King,’ I said. ‘You are kind to notice.’ #
    He gave a little bow and then Charlotte said, ‘We do not see Mrs Ashby here to-day. We had hoped to offer our congratulations on the engagement of her daughter to Mr Hickham.’
    ‘Hickham, yes,’ he said with a harrumph, ‘high time that young man found himself a wife.’
    ‘There are many who think the match most advantageous for the Ashbys,’ I said.
    ‘I dare say it is. But Hickham … Mr Hickham I should say … has remained single far too long for an eldest son.
Noblesse oblige,
as the French would have said.’
    Mrs Fitzhugh returned, ‘And why is that, I wonder?’
    He looked at her puzzled. ‘Well, the revolution might have …’
    Charlotte stopped him. ‘No, I think my friend wondered why Mr Hickham is so late in marrying.’
    ‘Oh, sorry. Well, I don’t know. There have been … Miss House, I take you into my confidence. I …’ He stopped and then looked at me.
    ‘You may depend on Miss Woodsen’s discretion as you do mine, Mr King.’
    ‘Well that’s all right then,’ he said, looking at me before turning back to Charlotte. ‘We have cooperated before on matters of some discretion, Miss House. As I was saying, there had been earlier expectations that Mr Hickham would take a wife and that came to naught.’
    ‘I was unaware of this,’ Charlotte said. ‘Doubtless those families are now disappointed.’
    ‘Yes, the Spensers and the Winslowes especially. Don’t see much of them as a matter of fact. I should call on them. Speaking of which — if you will excuse me ladies, I have some duties to perform.’
    Mr King left us with something to think about.
    ‘I don’t think Mr King will have much luck with the Spensers,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said. ‘They stopped coming to Bath two seasons ago.’
    ‘I vaguely remember them,’ Charlotte said. ‘Pretty girl but a little too high spirited.’
    ‘And the Winslowes?’ I asked Mrs Fitzhugh.
    ‘They are here in Bath, but I do not recall seeing them lately. Mr Winslowe died, I believe, which may be the reason for their seclusion.’
    ‘Our next step then is clear,’ I said. ‘We must call on the Winslowes.’
    —&—
    Which did not prove easy, because although the Winslowes did, at least at one time spend the season in Bath, we could not find a present address. We enquired again in the Upper and Lower Rooms, at the Pump Room, at the theatre and at every occasion we attended, but no one seemed to know where the Winslowes lived. #
    In the meantime, Mrs Ashby again visited us.
    ‘Another letter!’ she cried, once seated in the drawing-room. ‘We are ruined!’
    ‘Calm yourself,’ soothed Mrs Fitzhugh.
    ‘Yes,’ I added, ‘we have found no proof that this rumour has spread.’
    ‘But it has. My best friend Mrs Clausen brought me this letter only this morning.’
    Charlotte looked briefly at the letter and handed it to me. Mrs Fitzhugh joined me in reading it.
    Tell Mrs Ashby that her cat wants to be let out of its bag. Tell her at once or the cat will be lost to her forever.
    ‘That is quite … odd,’ I said. I looked at Charlotte, who appeared amused.
    ‘Ruined!’ Mrs Ashby said again.
    Charlotte dropped her smile before addressing the hysterical woman. ‘Courage, Mrs Ashby. There is nothing to fear if the recipient has not received the previous letter. And besides, you say Mrs Clausen is your best friend.’
    Mrs Ashby nodded vigorously. ‘We have known each other since childhood.’
    ‘And she can keep this secret?’
    Another nod.
    ‘And no one else has come forward with letters?’
    ‘No one.’
    ‘Then I think the matter remains contained,’ Charlotte said. As before, her measured, soothing voice had a calming effect on Mrs Ashby.
    ‘You really think the rumour has not spread?’
    ‘Yes, after our enquiries, I think I can safely say that you are the only intended recipient of these letters. Now, if you are calm, perhaps you can answer some