Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

care to stay and join our party. I would welcome your counsel … I mean company.’
    Charlotte looked at us and we nodded our agreement. Part one of our plan of action seemed to be progressing.

Deerfield Park
    We quickly established ourselves at Deerfield Park. Charlotte sent back our carriage with directions to return with what we needed for a short visit, and I was despatched to find Mr Worcester and inform him that we would remain to help. Directed by the butler Beach, I walked down to the lake in search of Mr Worcester. I took my time doing so because despite the season and the lateness of the day it was very pleasant and the grounds beautiful. I stopped at the bridge at the end of the lake and looked back at the house, its honey-coloured stone now bathed in a warm golden light. Some ducks skimmed over the water and the quiet and the country air made it hard to believe we were only just outside Bath. But the sun edged closer to the horizon and I began to chill. I was about to return to the house when I heard a ‘Psst!’ #
    I looked around and saw no one and called out ‘Who’s there?’
    ‘Are you alone, Miss Woodsen?’ I heard Mr Worcester ask.
    My eyes widened, but I said, ‘I am, sir.’
    Mr Worcester stept out from behind one of the columns that held the roof of the stone bridge.
    ‘Why are you hiding?’
    ‘Don’t want to run into Aunt Hermione, or Beach, or the Stiltons.’ He looked warily about and then approached me when he saw that I was alone.
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘My aunt will certainly want to discuss announcing the engagement. I’ve held her off because of our travel but she’ll want to inform everyone in Bath.’
    ‘Do not fear, Mr Worcester. Charlotte has persuaded your aunt to delay an announcement, given your history of … impetuosity.’
    ‘Who’s Charlotte?’
    ‘Miss House,’ I supplied . Mr Worcester’s relaxed form of address was obviously having its influence on me.
    ‘Oh. Oh! I see! That’s very clever. She has sown doubt. I suppose I do have a reputation for hasty engagements that come to naught. Ha, ha.’ His shoulders, which had been around his ears, relaxed. He turned toward the stone railing and looked out over the water. ‘Ducks, jolly nice things, ducks. That is a load off my mind. Wait a tick, what about the Stiltons? And the Blankenships!’ His shoulders shot up again.
    ‘One thing at a time, Mr Worcester. I am to take you back to the house where we might discuss our strategy. I am sure Miss House has already devised a method to … deal with the other parties.’
    ‘Yes,’ he said, nodding vigorously. ‘Don’t keep me in the dark. It was a rum thing coming into the drawing-room and seeing you three with my aunt.’
    He looked so miserable that I put my hand on his shoulder. There was something about Mr Worcester, like a sad little puppy that can’t find its toy, that brought out my concern. ‘There, there,’ I said. His shoulders relaxed again. ‘I’m sorry we didn’t have a chance to inform you. Miss House wanted to call on your aunt before the Blankenships arrived and so we wasted not a moment.’ I patted his shoulder.
    He turned toward me. ‘You’re awfully kind, Miss Woodsen.’
    I noticed he had nice soulful brown eyes, no doubt my reason for thinking of a puppy. Most men of my acquaintance, because of their status in society and their dominance over the fair sex, are too proud to admit they need a helpmate. But some men want, nay require, a woman’s hand to guide them through life. I was about to express my thoughts on the matter when I heard …
    ‘Jane!’
    I looked about and saw Charlotte standing at the end of the bridge. I removed my hand from Mr Worcester’s shoulder.
    ‘Where have you been? I see you’ve found Mr Worcester. We need him in conference immediately before I encounter the Stiltons. If you would be so kind as to return to the house, sir, we will join you momentarily.’
    ‘Right-ho,’ he said and walked away.
    ‘Jane, what were you doing?’ Charlotte asked as soon as he was out of earshot.
    ‘I … I don’t know. He looked so lost and forlorn.’
    ‘He is our client, Jane,’ she said, looking at me very sternly. I stared back at her in something of a daze. Then Charlotte’s look relaxed and she clasped me about the shoulders and we started walking after Mr Worcester.
    ‘Oh Jane, I have seen this before. You are susceptible to lost men. It is nothing to be ashamed of but definitely something to be