Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

coincidences: First, two men who appear unacquainted, of differing stations, find themselves in a duel. But are they unacquainted? They both arrive in Bath on Tuesday by coach, a coach delayed by several hours. Could it be that they become acquainted on that coach?
    ‘Second, Mr Sunderland proposes and is rejected on Thursday and on Friday is insulted by Mr Jenkins. Third, Mr Jenkins, normally a quiet man by Mr Wallace’s description, loudly boasts of Miss Bassett’s virtue at a coffeehouse he has insisted they visit, where Mr Sunderland awaits. And finally, rather than issue a challenge on Friday, they wait until Saturday and delay until Monday, giving them opportunity to say that tempers have cooled.’
    ‘But they resisted my …’ Mr Wallace began and then stopped.
    ‘They perhaps offered token resistance to your suggestion of delaying the duel until Monday?’
    ‘I suppose it might be construed that way, Miss House,’ he admitted.
    Mrs Fitzhugh, who had been quiet and obviously thinking of the implications of Charlotte’s theory, now objected. ‘I will grant you that Mr Jenkins might benefit from this duel, but how will Mr Sunderland benefit? Did you not say Miss … oh, what is her name … Miss Chivington despaired of his behaviour? She cannot look kindly on his challenge.’
    ‘I admit his goals to be more difficult to fathom, but I suggest they include both money and an excuse. Remember, he can claim he was forced into this duel because he could not allow another woman to be claimed fairer than Miss Chivington. Oh, she might call such action “intolerable,” but on consideration, I think it cannot fail to impress. And then when he either fires wide or, even more likely as I think on it, forgives Mr Jenkins his accusation, I think he will rise in her opinion. Why, he may even claim his duelling days are over; especially if as suspected he inherits his father’s estate and becomes the squire of the county.’
    For a half minute, we digested this, then Mrs Fitzhugh asked, ‘You also mentioned money.’
    ‘Yes, as to the motivation for that, you yourself provided the information. His excuse that his barouche was unavailable is exposed as a lie, as you discovered he had sold it. And you also tell us of his outstanding bills and Mr Wallace remarked of his indifferent port. So I think it possible that Mr Jenkins will pay Mr Sunderland for the privilege of duelling with him—or rather of not duelling with him.’
    ‘That is outrageous!’ Mr Wallace said.
    ‘What, more outrageous than the stupidity of duelling?’ Charlotte countered.
    ‘Yes,’ he said after a moment’s reflection, but then smiled. ‘I concede your point, but … wait, I have been used in this, haven’t I?’
    Charlotte laughed. ‘I very much fear you have been used. I don’t know whether Mr Jenkins’s loyal assistant or Mr Sunderland’s close friend are party to this, but I think they also wanted a man of unimpeachable character to be witness to the proceedings, and so they conspired to include you in the party.’
    I noticed Mr Wallace straighten as he was described as a man of unimpeachable character. ‘I think much of this drama has been staged for your benefit. They hope that you will tell of their determination to duel and also of their coming to their good senses. Mr Sunderland especially hopes that you will speak of his Damascus moment when he realizes the futility of duelling. Why, he may even ask you to represent his changed opinion to Miss Chivington.’ #
    ‘That I will not do!’
    ‘Why not?’ I asked. ‘You called duelling an insanity. And these men will not actually fight. In fact, they will show themselves reasonable, compassionate men by refusing to fight.’
    ‘Yes, but it is not honourable, and I will not be used in this way. And I shall say so.’
    ‘That is of course your prerogative,’ Charlotte said, ‘but consider that this is my theory and that I may be incorrect in some of my suppositions or even all. And if you publicly denounce them and I am incorrect,
you
may find yourself answering a challenge.’
    At this Mr Wallace smiled but before he could say anything, Charlotte continued. ‘But as a favour to me, I would ask that you continue to act as Mr Jenkins’s second. It would reassure me that someone on whom I can depend is there should my suppositions prove wrong.’
    He laughed and said, ‘Well then, Miss House, you may depend on me … if as you say, you have supposed