Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

marry Clarence. He’s just too afraid of Mrs Walthorpe to ask her for the living she holds and on the few occasions they have met, he has failed to impress her.’ #
    ‘Yes, but what you don’t know is that Mr Worcester is already engaged to Evelyn Blankenship,’ Charlotte said, recovered from the amazement of her brother’s nickname.
    It was now Miss Stilton’s turn to be amazed. ‘Gosh, he really does live the life, doesn’t he? When was this?’
    ‘A week before he proposed to you.’
    ‘Evelyn Blankenship? I know Bertie is mentally negligible but that seems beyond the pale even for him. She is pretty, of course, so his attraction is understandable, but what she might see in him …’
    She stopped when she saw my cross look.
    ‘He is a good sort and quite fine in his way. After all, we were engaged before as a sort of lark. Thank goodness Cheevers sorted that out. But wait, if as you say you want to see me happy with Clarence …’
    Charlotte nodded and said, ‘You may continue with your stratagem of screwing Mr Potterthwaite’s courage to the sticking point. We must, however, prevent your parents or Mr Worcester’s aunt from openly talking about your engagement when the Blankenships arrive.’ #
    ‘Oh I see. Why didn’t you say this before?’
    ‘We only met at dinner, my dear,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said.
    ‘Yes, I suppose there wasn’t time. So all that during dinner, you were trying to … what exactly?’
    Charlotte sighed. ‘It was a complicated game of sowing doubt with your parents, to discourage them from making a public announcement about the engagement.’
    ‘I don’t think there’s any danger of that now. In fact, I may be hard pressed to resist their entreaties to reject Bertie post haste.’
    ‘I said it was a complicated game.’
    ‘It would certainly simplify matters were you not engaged to Mr Worcester,’ I said.
    ‘You’ll forgive me if I still consider Bertie in play,’ Miss Stilton said to me, and then rose. ‘I’d best return to my parents and repair the damage. I’ll bid you good night.’
    After she had left, Mrs Fitzhugh yawned and then said, ‘You were in excellent form to-night Charlotte. Do not stay up too late.’ She also bid us good night and left.
    Charlotte seemed quite pleased with our friend’s praise. I almost hated asking, ‘And how do we forestall the Blankenships to-morrow?’
    Her smile left her face and she said, ‘I begin to appreciate Cheever’s skills, Jane. I may be hard pressed to match the talents of a valet.’
    We remained in the drawing-room another hour and formed our strategy for the morrow.

A Shooting Party
    The day dawned slowly over Deerfield Park. A light fog that hung over the grounds was slowly being dispersed by the weak autumn sun. I looked out my bedroom window and could see the servants leaving the house to supply the tents and tables for our shooting party. I could see their breath steaming as they laboured to carry the baskets and cases containing the plate and glassware for our refreshments, and I hoped I would not be too cold during the shooting party. #
    I met Charlotte and Mrs Fitzhugh for a simple breakfast. We were up before the others and used the time to acquaint Mrs Fitzhugh of our plans.
    While we were in conference, Miss Stilton arrived. ‘I thought I would be first down. Doubtless you are conspiring before the Blankenships arrive.’
    ‘Doubtless,’ I said, somewhat irritably. The woman’s abuse of poor Mr Worcester annoyed me.
    ‘You look forward to the party, Miss Stilton?’ Mrs Fitzhugh asked.
    ‘Yes, it should be quite fun. My father fancies himself a country gentleman and will no doubt be blazing about. I suggest you remain behind him for until he manages to shoot himself, it is the safest place to be. Yes, the possibilities for excitement at this party seem endless.’
    Mrs Fitzhugh gave a weak smile. ‘I shall take your advice.’
    Miss Stilton helped herself to breakfast while we resumed our conference.
    ‘The Blankenships are due to arrive when, Margaret?’ Charlotte asked.
    ‘I believe Mrs Walthorpe said about ten o’clock. They arrived in Bath yesterday to see to their house there before joining us to-day.’
    ‘We are to have a late start to our shoot then.’
    Mrs Fitzhugh laughed, ‘From Miss Stilton’s statement I do not believe it will be a serious hunt. It certainly will not be the gentleman with his hunting dog and a servant or two to flush the coverts, with perhaps a loaf a