Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

will do everything you can to stop whoever is trying to ruin my chances with Mr Hickham.’
    Charlotte took her regal tone with the effusive Miss Ashby. ‘Of course, Miss Ashby. We shall do everything in our power to’—she moved closer to her and lowered her voice to a stage whisper—‘stop these completely unfounded rumours.’ As she said this she glanced sharply at Mrs Ashby who, after a moments hesitation, vigorously nodded.
    Miss Ashby did not seem to comprehend the silent conversation taking place between my friend and her mother. She was a ripe and energetic young woman of rosy cheeks, blue eyes and warm auburn hair.
    ‘She’s fair to bursting out of that gown,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said to me confidentially. ‘Mind you, she is young and only taking advantage of that which nature so …’
    ‘Generously gave her,’ I finished for her. We laughed and our laughter brought us to the attention of Charlotte.
    ‘Forgive me, Miss Ashby, for being delinquent in introducing my friends, Mrs Fitzhugh and Miss Woodsen. They are as solicitous of protecting your honour as am I.’
    ‘The more the merrier,’ the young woman said, somewhat distracted by a young military man who was claiming her for the next dance. ‘Pardon me, but Mr … um’
    ‘Henshaw, at your service,’ the young man said.
    ‘Silly me. Mr Henshaw has claimed this next dance.’
    She was led off, leaving us with her mother.
    ‘My daughter has high spirits, despite the trouble that afflicts us,’ she said.
    ‘She bears her burden well,’ I said.
    ‘She is young and foolish, but that is not a crime,’ Mrs Ashby said.
    ‘No, that is nature,’ Charlotte admitted.
    We remained with Mrs Ashby during the dance but found little of common interest with her. She spoke chiefly of her daughter and her matrimonial hopes with a calculating assessment of the agreements that might be made between the two families.
    ‘She brings £500 in the three percents and upon the death of my cousin another £1,000, for as I may have told you my cousin is excessively fond of my sweet child. And my clever husband has also secured for her another £2,000 in the five percents, and then there is my mother’s plate, which my father never cared for—men never understand the value of what they’re eating on—which devolved to me thanks to my mother’s agreement when she was wed. So all in all I think Mr Hickham cannot think that we bring nothing to the table. #
    ‘Oh, but look how gracefully Sophia dances with that Mr Henshaw. He does cut a fine figure in his red coat. Of course, he’s only with the militia and I doubt he’ll afford a commission any time soon. Still, Sophia enjoys dancing with a man in uniform and I don’t think there is any great harm in it.’ #
    Mrs Ashby continued in this fashion, little noticing or caring whether we paid attention. Then suddenly she gave a little cry. ‘I think I see Mr Hickham yonder.’
    I turned to see the man on whom Mrs Ashby had set her daughter’s cap. He had a fine figure, taller than Charlotte with jet-black, thick hair and refined features atop a muscular physique that spoke of athletic pursuits. No little wonder at Mrs Ashby’s excitement, I thought, £10,000 a year in his own right and the eldest son of a baron; she had a right to be enraptured at the thought of her daughter making such an alliance. #
    He soon saw Mrs Ashby, aided by the semaphore of her handkerchief, and approached our group.
    ‘My dear Mrs Ashby, how delightful to see you,’ he said, with a sweep of his arm to accompany his bow. ‘But where is the fair Miss Ashby?’
    ‘You see her dancing to Highgate, Mr Hickham.’ #
    ‘Ah, of course, the spirited girl with the roses in her cheeks. And these ladies, why are they not dancing?’
    ‘Pardon me, Mr Hickham. I should like you to meet my friends, Mrs … um, Fitz … hugh, Miss House and Miss Woodsen.’
    ‘Mrs Um-Fitzhugh,’ Mr Hickham cheekily said with his bow, ‘and Miss House … I’ve heard of you … and Miss Woodsen. Delighted.’
    ‘Mr Hickham, it is an honour,’ Charlotte said.
    ‘Nonsense, I am the one honoured here. Ah, the dance is ending, and as my dear Sophia has left me alone, would you do me the further honour of the next dance?’
    Charlotte assented as Miss Ashby joined us.
    ‘Frederick, I did not see you enter,’ Miss Ashby cried, as she ran to him and claimed his arm.
    ‘You were too busy enjoying yourself to notice me,’ he said with mock hurt.
    ‘Silly,