Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

situation.’
    ‘You continue in your belief this is a ruse? You seemed worried earlier.’
    ‘I confess this rush had me concerned but I have since thought of several reasons why it might have been necessary and besides, we have no options.’
    ‘Well then, not that I am complaining, but why are we here if we can do nothing?’
    ‘Please keep your voice down, Jane,’ she commanded in a voice that I thought louder than my own. Then in a softer voice, she said, ‘It is often instructive to see how my theories and suppositions fare against actual events. And perhaps if I sense I am wrong we might … Ah, that must be Mr Jenkins. He is pulling from his flask. Oh, that is an unwise thing to do. But now your Mr Wallace intervenes and has put a stop to it. I must say he impresses me more and more. And I think it increasingly obvious he knows far more of duelling than he would allow. What is that?’
    Another carriage arrived and this time it delivered Mr Sunderland’s party. I had to guess the tallest individual to be Mr Sunderland, based on Mr Wallace’s description. But he was so heavily protected from the cold by a thick muffler that I saw little of his face.
    The light was growing stronger now and I could identify most of the participants as the two principals and their seconds, but I could not imagine the purpose of the smallest gentleman, who arrived with Mr Sunderland.
    ‘Who would the small man be, Charlotte?’
    ‘What? Oh most likely an impartial third party to announce the call to fire. I believe we are still missing Mr Wallace’s friend, the surgeon.’
    The men were now making their greetings and the principals were offering hands, which I briefly hoped meant a reconciliation, but apparently it was merely the meeting of equals bent upon their mutual destruction. It struck me quite forcibly how foolish this was, despite my earlier admiration.
    After the introductions were completed, both parties surveyed the down and after some conversation, the duelling square was properly laid out with planted sticks marking the corners. Apparently the principals would stand so that neither would be staring directly at the rising sun, or so I assumed from the two men walking to the two opposite sides of the square and from the seconds pointing where the sun would rise … in fact had begun to rise. More handshakes were exchanged after this; a very proper and civilized way of killing each other to be sure.
    Now the men reassembled by the carriage and again flasks were produced, but Mr Wallace was able to dissuade the principals from partaking. Much stamping of feet and slapping of arms was also involved, and I wished I might do the same but for the fear of calling attention to us.
    Another ten minutes passed and the sun was high enough now to send long shadows across the down. Finally another carriage arrived bearing two men who again were greeted by all with a good deal of attendant handshakes and bows and again offered flasks.
    I began to wish, guiltily, that they might begin. After all, I did not wish to be one of the casualties by succumbing to the cold. Apparently the same thought occurred to the men, and with some more pleasantries and bowing and shaking of hands they walked out to the duelling square.
    I noticed that Mr Wallace carried a box, which I took to be the case for the pistols, which surmise proved correct when the box was opened and examined by all the seconds.
    The weapons were also exchanged and all this took some time. I imagined some of the conversation included praise of the quality of the weapons. Finally, the process began of loading the weapons and at this stage Mr Sunderland left his group to stand with his arm resting on a tree for support. His head was bent down and I saw him drink from a flask.
    ‘Mr Sunderland seems very unsettled,’ I said, ‘but perhaps he is acting the reluctant duellist to give credit to his change of heart.’
    Charlotte replied, ‘Then he is certainly a gifted actor, and we must give Mr Jenkins credit as well, for he also walks about in a daze, and they are both too fond of their flasks.’
    I looked to Mr Jenkins after Charlotte said this and saw that he did seem distressed, holding his hand to his heart and appearing to be in some pain. To my eye, he looked as someone experiencing remorse as to what was to happen shortly.
    And then I heard the short man yell, ‘Gentleman, if I may have your attention?’
    The party assembled in the middle of the duelling