Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

Fitzhugh and I saw my friend’s eyes droop as Mrs Walthorpe’s words extolling her guests washed over us. Distantly I heard a knock and a door open.
    ‘Albert!’ she suddenly exclaimed in a voice that brought us out of our somnolence. I suddenly realized Mr Worcester was standing before us. He seemed to be swaying slightly, either from the impact of his aunt’s voice, which he had accurately described, or else from his surprise upon seeing us.
    ‘Where have you been?’ his aunt demanded.
    Mrs Fitzhugh and I stood to join Charlotte and our action reminded Mrs Walthorpe of her duty.
    ‘Miss House, Mrs Fitzhugh, Miss Woodsen,’ she said, as we curtseyed in turn, ‘may I present my nephew, Mr Albert Worcester.’
    Mr Worcester bowed and then stared at us and several times opened his mouth to speak but no words escaped his lips.
    ‘Say something Albert!’
    Charlotte, however, spoke before Mr Worcester. ‘It is very good to meet you for the first time, Mr Worcester.’
    ‘How do you do?’ he asked woodenly.
    ‘It is so nice to meet you Mr Worcester,’ I added. Mrs Fitzhugh nodded her head slowly in confirmation.
    ‘Surely you must be tired if you have just arrived, Mr Worcester,’ Charlotte said.
    ‘You look quite done in, Mr Worcester,’ Mrs Fitzhugh agreed.
    ‘Hmph!’ Mrs Walthorpe said. ‘You do look unpresentable. Beach!’ Her shout induced Mr Worcester to sway again but also produced the butler. ‘Take my nephew away and get him cleaned up.’ And then her tone softened. ‘Albert, get something to eat. You do look a little peaked.’
    After he left she returned her attention to Charlotte and even seemed dimly aware of my presence and that of my friend.
    ‘My apologies. He has only arrived from London and no doubt he has much on his mind.’
    Upon Mrs Walthorpe’s statement, Charlotte gave Mrs Fitzhugh a look and a nod.
    ‘And why would that be?’ Mrs Fitzhugh said, her eye on Charlotte as she asked her question. Charlotte nodded her approval.
    ‘Why … I do not know whether I should say at this time. I have made several announcements in the past that have not …’
    ‘I thought I recognized that look; Mr Worcester is engaged!’ Charlotte said with a practiced enthusiasm.
    ‘Er, yes, to Miss Stilton.’
    ‘
Oh,’
Charlotte said, and then cast her eyes downward.
    Mrs Walthorpe waited for Charlotte to expand on her comment. Then she looked inquiringly at me and all I could do was offer a pleasant smile as I began to understand Charlotte’s plan. Finally our hostess asked, ‘Is there something wrong, Miss House?’
    ‘No, it is not my place.’
    ‘Please, your brother calls you a young lady of discernment. Is there something that concerns you?’
    ‘No, please, it is only …’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘I seem to recall from something my brother mentioned. Was not your nephew previously engaged to Miss Stilton?’
    Mrs Walthorpe looked uncomfortably about the room and then picked at an imaginary defect upon her sleeve.
    ‘Some time ago, yes, it was then a young man’s fancy. I assure you this proposal is far more …’
    ‘Serious?’
    Mrs Walthorpe nodded. ‘Then I am sure there is no need for concern and I fear any opinions you might hear from me would be presumptuous,’ Charlotte said brightly. ‘After all, I’m sure Mr Worcester has no reputation as an imprudent young man.’
    Mrs Walthorpe stopped nodding and coughed suddenly and repeatedly. Mrs Fitzhugh quickly refreshed our hostess’s cup and offered it to her. She gratefully swallowed and after composing herself she said, ‘Perhaps Miss House, you will treat news of my nephew’s engagement as a private matter. It might be premature to …’
    ‘Of course Mrs Walthorpe. You may rely on the discretion of my friends as well. I think we’re all aware of the delicacy of announcing an engagement.’
    Mrs Fitzhugh nodded her agreement and said, ‘Oh absolutely. It is so embarrassing to announce an engagement one day and be forced to retract that news the next.’
    I added, ‘Young love can be so impetuous.’
    Mrs Walthorpe now seemed to comprehend fully the existence of myself and Mrs Fitzhugh and she nodded pleasantly to us. ‘How very fortunate is your visit,’ she said. ‘I was about to …’ She left her remark unfinished.
    ‘It is always a pleasure to visit Deerfield Park. I remember visiting the Pembertons here. You will be here for the season?’ Charlotte asked.
    ‘Yes, perhaps you—and your friends—would