Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

I am not without my charms and wit, but …’
    ‘Please Charlotte, I am well aware from Michael of your divertissements. And I remember the little girl who puzzled out the mystery of my lame horse. You have an acute understanding of human nature that may be of use in a delicate matter …’
    As he said this, his eyes flicked toward me.
    ‘Do not concern yourself about Jane. She is an active player in these divertissements as you call them and is the soul of discretion.’
    I felt uncomfortable being described as such, not necessarily trusting my discretion quite as much as Charlotte, but I nodded my head in agreement.
    Mr Dundas then looked at me directly and smiled. ‘I had thought as much. Please, all of you, treat what I am about to say in the strictest confidence. Mr Haversham is something of a
protégé
of mine. He has been an active investor in the Kennet and Avon and has been procuring some of the land needed for the canal. As you know, not all the investors have been as forthcoming with their funds as you and your brother. We sometimes … lack the funds to buy what is immediately needed. Instead George has been buying it and selling it to the company, for a tidy profit.’
    ‘He is a land speculator then,’ Charlotte said.
    ‘Yes, but he is a honourable man and agrees to prices that we have already negotiated. But recently a change to the route has been considered because of water supply concerns and a map showing that route has been recently made public, somewhat prematurely. The news will all but bankrupt George, and it has already bankrupted him mentally and physically.’
    ‘This is all very sad, but I hardly see how I might help.’
    ‘I come to you at the behest of Mr Haversham’s intended, Miss Streetham. She has reason to believe that George’s younger brother, Edward, is the source of the information. She asked me how her suspicions could be confirmed. Understand that she does not wish to accuse Edward without cause. George’s health is precarious enough without knowledge that his own brother’s actions have led to his downfall. Understandably this news has already played havoc with their wedding plans. Any accusations she might make may doom their union.’
    ‘I see. Perhaps then I can be of some service. Please ask her to call on …’
    ‘I am afraid you must call on her in Bradford-on-Avon.’
    ‘What! Why must I call on her if she is asking me for help?’
    ‘She and her mother remain with George. They are seeing to his care. As I said, he is … he is utterly devastated by the … worried that he …’
    ‘They fear for his life by his own hand?’
    ‘Yes. That is the truth of it. George has always been upright in all his dealings. He is, as you say a land speculator, and a shrewd businessman, but he is as honest as they come. His ruin affects many others, including the canal company, and he feels that burden more than most would.’
    ‘Then perhaps confirmation that his brother is the cause of all his woes would only further devastate him.’
    ‘I am sure it will. But if Edward is the cause … he gambles and drinks and is too fond of the worst sort of women and has caused his brother hardship after hardship. I will not be surprised to discover he is the culprit. If George recovers, he must be made aware of his brother’s iniquity. Please Charlotte, I ask this for Miss Streetham and I ask this for myself.’
    ‘But have you any proof that Edward stole this map?’
    Mr Dundas shook his head. ‘I’m afraid that is the puzzle of the whole thing. The map was never stolen. In fact it remains in a locked room.’

Bradford-on-Avon
    The trip from Bath to Bradford was accomplished easily in Mr Dundas’s landau, he remaining in Bath to attend to canal business. He also told us we might stay at Mr Haversham’s house there, where Miss Streetham and her mother remained to see to the poor man’s health. #
    The wet weather of previous weeks had given way to clear and cold and our journey took only a few hours. Mrs Fitzhugh and Charlotte used the time to tell me stories about Mr Dundas that confirmed my instant liking of the man. Charlotte, however, remained doubtful what help she might offer Miss Streetham.
    ‘If the younger brother is responsible, how am I to prove it? And what good will come of it?’
    ‘Surely it is a matter of justice,’ I responded.
    ‘Justice! That is a weighty responsibility.’
    ‘You have undertaken it before.’
    ‘Yes, when I thought I might