Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

leave.
    ‘Please Robert, would you stay. Uh … Mr Wallace may need some help.’
    Mr Wallace looked at me upon my words, then Robert looked at Mr Wallace and finally Robert looked at me.
    ‘I am sorry, miss, but I must arrange to have the chair from the lumber room brought down for Mr Wallace. But if you would rather someone should stay …’
    ‘No, please see to the chair. But I may call if … if Mr Wallace requires assistance.’
    ‘Certainly,’ he said, and looked from me to Mr Wallace. ‘I shall remain vigilant should you call,’ and left the room. The door closing behind him left an uncomfortable silence in the room.
    ‘You are afraid to be alone with me.’
    I was about to deny it but instead I said, ‘Yes. My friends have abandoned me. They leave me here with you. Even Robert seems to be in on the game. And it’s not proper.’
    ‘Then you fear that I will not behave as a gentleman ought.’ He straightened in his chair and again the movement made him pronounce his discomfort. ‘I can assure you that in my present state my options are limited.’
    ‘You keep getting injured when you’re around me.’
    ‘You’re right. I must stop visiting you if I wish to remain well, but I think it would be a far less interesting life.’ He laughed and the sound broke the tension. ‘Now Miss Woodsen, as much as I am enamoured of you and as much as you are concerned about my behaviour, I am still a very hungry man with a plate of Sandwiches just out of reach. So perhaps you might do me the great favour of handing me something to eat.’
    Just then I found myself liking Mr Wallace very much. A moment had passed where I felt uncomfortable and I cursed and thanked my friends for placing me in this situation. I knew that they believed that nothing improper would ensue from our being together and in this their judgement was correct. But I had begun to doubt my own restraint and I think sensing that, Mr Wallace wished to assure me that I had no reason to doubt his conduct and to remind me that I had no reason to doubt mine.
    We talked about a great many things after this, my love of adventure and of reading and the countryside. And he told me of his time with the regiment, although he was very guarded, only telling me funny stories and nothing of the horrors of war and certainly avoiding anything that made it sound romantic or brave. Finally he yawned, not Charlotte’s stage yawn, but one with a deep desire for sleep, caused from the rigours of his day and the something extra in his coffee.
    ‘I am so sorry, it is the hour and not the company. Perhaps I should be off to bed.’
    ‘Of course, I have kept you up.’ I called for Robert. The door opened almost immediately.
    ‘We should get Mr Wallace to bed, Robert.’
    ‘Very well, miss.’ He eyed our solidly built visitor and added, ‘I shall fetch help.’
    He left us and a few seconds later I could hear him leave the house. I was confused by this but Mr Wallace solved the mystery.
    ‘He means to carry me upstairs in a chair and has gone to find some strong fellows. I apologize, Miss House, for the trouble I cause.’
    He had addressed my friend who now entered the study, followed by Mrs Fitzhugh. I wondered where they had been that they were so ready to join us.
    ‘It is no trouble, sir. I only hope the strong fellows I heard you mention are not too far into their cups.’
    ‘I believe Robert had engaged them as soon as we knew Mr Wallace was to stay. Doubtless he advised them to remain upright,’ Mrs Fitzhugh supplied.
    We now heard the voices of several men proceed from the back of the house, which prompted Charlotte and me to step into the hallway. Presently Robert produced two strong young men who, confronted by their betters, shyly looked down at the ground.
    ‘Oh well done, Robert. These two fine lads look strong enough. Thank you kindly for your assistance, sirs,’ she said, addressing the last to the two men. As always, Charlotte could put people of any class at ease.
    Robert then directed the men to follow him upstairs. A few minutes later they returned with Robert directing from behind.
    ‘Easy, to your left. Mind the wall!’ he told them as they brought the device down the stairs. I had no idea the household maintained one of these chairs meant to bring invalids directly from the baths and straight to their room.
    The men brought the chair to the hallway and lowered it without incident. Without the weight of an occupant, it was a