Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

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 I returned, I saw that she was much improved in spirits and was thanking everyone profusely. But before she left, Charlotte cautioned her.
    ‘One last thing, Mrs Ashby. Immediately inform us if you are aware of any further letters. And under no circumstances are you to inquire about the letters. And I shall need to retain these.’ Charlotte fanned the letters before her.
    Mrs Ashby had been nodding her assent the whole while until the last statement, when she suddenly clutched her reticule to her bosom.
    ‘I have been so afraid to let them out of my sight and yet I was about to leave without giving them a thought. Yes, keep them if need be but I would rather see them burned.’
    ‘Which they will be once they are not needed,’ Charlotte assured her. We saw her to the door and then returned to the drawing-room.
    ‘What do you make of it, Jane?’ Charlotte asked me.
    ‘A terrible tragedy to befall them,’ I said.
    ‘Yes, but what strikes you as relevant? Do you see no inconsistencies?’
    Charlotte looked at me intently and I shifted uncomfortably beneath her gaze. ‘No,’ I said meekly.
    ‘Tchah!’ she said. ‘Think of it, why send letters to the three people most likely not to believe them?’
    ‘But there are other letters!’ Mrs Fitzhugh said.
    Charlotte said nothing and looked at me.
    ‘There aren’t other letters?’ I ventured to ask.
    ‘No, I don’t think there are. Also note the peculiar construction of the letters. Although the accusation is quite clear, there is a reluctance actually to make that accusation. And there are other more obvious reasons why I offered her some hope.’ She saw the confused look on my face and sighed. ‘Why do we go to the assembly rooms? Why do we talk to maids and cooks? Why? To gather information. And even if the daughter has been indiscreet …’
    ‘But,’ I said, ‘her mother most vigorously denied …’
    ‘There is something you must learn, Jane. Everybody lies. They do it as unconsciously as breathing. But as I was saying, even if the daughter has been indiscreet, we have heard no news of it, and it is a very advantageous match. Lord M_’s son? The envy of it should fan the flames of a rumour like this. The fact that we have heard no intimation of it gives me some hope.’
    ‘But then why send the letters at all?’ Mrs Fitzhugh asked.
    ‘Yes, that is a mystery,’ Charlotte confirmed, ‘and it will remain so until we gather more information.’
    I sighed and said, ‘So it is to the market again.’

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