Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

he is unwell.’
    ‘Oh, that is too bad. I’m sure a night’s rest will set him right.’
    ‘That man’s a menace,’ Sir Walter said, temporarily forgetting in which direction lay his allegiances.
    ‘Bertie’s not that bad,’ Mr Cuthbertson said rather boldly to his prospective father, smiling broadly and giving the appearance of a happy lobster.
    ‘He nearly killed you.’
    ‘Water under the bridge, Sir Walter. Forgive and forget.’
    ‘Here, here, sir,’ Mr Potterthwaite said with enthusiasm. ‘Here’s to Bertie.’ He raised his soupspoon in a toast, miraculously not spilling its contents.
    Miss Stilton and Miss Blankenship agreed enthusiastically and wished their best to Mr Worcester as well. Mrs Walthorpe looked puzzled but pleased at her nephew’s newfound popularity.
    ‘I am glad you think so highly of him,’ she said.
    ‘It takes a man of character to know when to retire from the field,’ Mr Cuthbertson said.
    Mr Potterthwaite was about to say something in response to this when Charlotte abruptly said, ‘I hope it was nothing unpleasant that delayed you to dinner Lady Blankenship.’
    ‘No, Miss House, not at all.’
    ‘Quite the opposite in fact,’ Mr Cuthbertson said.
    ‘Please sir, perhaps this is not the best time,’ Lady Blankenship said, looking to her husband.
    ‘Indeed sir, I must agree … I think it best …’ For once Sir Walter did not appear so sure of himself. Mr Cuthbertson coughed and said something under his breath that I did not quite catch, that sounded oddly like ‘bunny has a cold.’ The effect of these words caused Sir Walter’s face to blanch and kept him silent. I also noticed that Mr Stilton appeared quite shaken by the odd phrase as well.
    ‘Why I disagree, this is a proper time,’ Mr Cuthbertson said, rising to his feet. ‘I am surrounded by good company’—he raised his wine glass and nodded pleasantly to Miss Stilton and Mr Potterthwaite, and then looked to Miss Blankenship who smiled and returned his nod—‘and so I announce that I have asked Evelyn to marry me and she has agreed.’
    My friends and I congratulated the happy couple. Even Mrs Walthorpe smiled politely, although she was clearly puzzled by the suitability of the match.
    After Mr Cuthbertson sat, Mr Potterthwaite stood, nearly colliding with a footman placing a plate of pheasant. I heard ineffectual protestations come from Mrs Stilton and a hurried ‘Hush, Mama’ come from Miss Stilton. Ignoring all this, Mr Potterthwaite said, ‘Well, as we’re all having such a good time, I’d like to say that Miss Stilton has also agreed to be my wife.’
    Mrs Stilton let out a small cry of despair. Mr Stilton buried his head in his hands. And Mrs Walthorpe dropped her knife.
    ‘You,’ Mrs Walthorpe said, ‘you wish to marry Miss Stilton? But I thought …’ She looked at the Stiltons who would not meet her eyes. Then she looked at Miss Stilton. ‘I thought there was an understanding that Albert …’
    ‘Oh that. Bertie asked if he might withdraw his kind offer and then Mr Potterthwaite asked me and I said yes.’
    Mrs Walthorpe said nothing for a moment and then put her hand to her forehead. ‘I knew the minute that man arrived it would be trouble,’ she said.
    ‘Excuse me,’ Sir Walter said, no longer unsure of himself and rising to his feet in anger. ‘Do I understand that Mr Worcester had engaged himself to you?’ addressing Miss Stilton.
    ‘Papa, please don’t cause trouble,’ Miss Blankenship said.
    ‘Trouble? I cause trouble? I hardly think I can be accused of causing trouble when it is this Worcester who is engaged both to my daughter and this … this …’
    ‘Sir Walter!’ Mr Cuthbertson said loudly.
    ‘What!’
    ‘Dunny-on-the-Wold!’ Mr Cuthbertson said it clearly this time and the effect it had on Sir Walter was immediate. He sat and took a handkerchief to his face. Mr Stilton also looked distraught. And then I noticed Charlotte, who was smiling happily to herself, and nodding and enjoying the spectacle as if it were a play.
    Perhaps startled at the effect of his words, Mr Cuthbertson sat and said to our hostess, ‘Please forgive my outburst. It was inexcusable.’ She gave him a little nod, which I thought quite gracious of her. He then turned to his future father-in-law. ‘Please sir, I offer my apology to you as well. It was painful for me to have to say that and hope I shall never need utter those words again, but it would be as well if you could