Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

that is your fault if you arrive so late, but dance with me now.’
    ‘No, I have already claimed Miss House and she has kindly agreed. You, my dear, need some refreshment. You are flushed and could hardly sustain another dance.’
    ‘I am rather knocked up,’ she agreed. ‘Mama, let’s let Frederick have his dance while we find some negus.’ #
    Mr Hickham led Charlotte to dance while Mrs Fitzhugh and I remained.
    ‘We are to be the wallflowers, then,’ I said.
    ‘I think you have no reason to fear,’ Mrs Fitzhugh corrected me, and nodded in the direction of a man who approached us.
    ‘Miss Woodsen, I hope I am not too late to claim this dance?’ the man asked, whom I recognized but whose name I desperately could not recall.
    ‘I am sure Jane would be delighted to dance, Mr Wallace,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said. I stared at her in wonder, for it was the first time she had called me by my given name, and in gratitude for reminding me of the gentleman’s name.
    ‘Yes, of course, Mr Wallace, how kind of you to ask.’
    Mr Wallace led me to the dancers and we took our positions at the far end of the line from Charlotte and Mr Hickham. Charlotte caught my eye and nodded to me as the dance began. I found Mr Wallace to be an able partner and light on his feet, impressive for a man with such a solid and muscular frame.
    ‘You forgot me, Miss Woodsen,’ Mr Wallace said just before we separated.
    ‘I forgot your name, sir. I did not forget
you,’
I said as we rejoined.
    He smiled. ‘I am glad to have found you to-night,’ Mr Wallace said. ‘I have wanted to thank you for the aid you offered my cousin that night.’
    ‘And how is Miss Williams? and Mrs Williams?’ I asked before we separated again.
    ‘She is well. They are well. Lucy is to marry Mr Tattersall after all.’ Again we separated and again rejoined.
    ‘I am happy to hear it,’ I said, although I remembered well adding the notice to Charlotte’s commonplace book.
    ‘It is due to you and Miss House that the marriage is to take place.’
    ‘She deserves all the credit, Mr Wallace. I was a mere player.’
    ‘You caught her as she fell.’
    ‘And you caught me.’ We exchanged partners again and rejoined.
    ‘It was my pleasure.’
    ‘I enjoyed it too,’ I said, amused at my sudden boldness. I thought my reply caught him off guard for he seemed to trip as we exchanged partners, coincidentally with the young man who had been the partner of Miss Ashby earlier.
    ‘My apologies,’ he said after he caught up. ‘I was worried that you had left Bath.’
    ‘I was unwell for a time but have recovered.’
    ‘I was unsure where I might call.’
    ‘I stay with Miss House.’
    ‘Then I might call upon you?’
    ‘Yes,’ I said, quickly adding before another separation, ‘No. 1 the Royal Crescent. That is the address.’
    All too soon the dance ended. Mr Wallace made his goodbye and promised again to call. Charlotte collected me and we returned to Mrs Fitzhugh.
    ‘Jane has reconnected with Mr Wallace,’ Charlotte told Mrs Fitzhugh.
    ‘He did not know where I lived,’ I said. ‘He wanted to call.’
    ‘Your spirits certainly have improved.’
    ‘There is nothing like the expectation of a man,’ Mrs Fitzhugh added.
    I noticed the archness of their tone and said, ‘Yes, well, all right. And how did you enjoy your dance, Charlotte? Mr Hickham certainly shewed an interest in you.’
    ‘He is an excellent partner,’ she answered. ‘Let us find a place to sit and I’ll tell you of our conversation.’
    We found seats and Charlotte started: ‘He repeated that he knew of me and of my employment. “You are the court of last appeal,” he said—I rather liked that—“but what need arises that involves you in my betrothal to Miss Ashby?”
    ‘I told him that it was merely coincidence that we met and that I was surprised that we had not met earlier.
    ‘“Oh, but I have heard you are a dangerous woman, Miss House,” he said—I rather like that as well—“and it is not wise to make the acquaintance of dangerous women.” Utterly charming and designed to put me off my guard, which I am embarrassed to say it did.’
    ‘Did you get the impression that he is aware of the letters?’ Mrs Fitzhugh asked.
    ‘No, I am certain he is not, although I naturally did not broach the subject directly. He did give me to understand that he is quite aware and forgiving of Miss Ashby’s … outgoing nature.’
    ‘Indeed!’ I said,