Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

to a desk and unfolded them. Once revealed Mr Dundas exclaimed, ‘It is the map!’
    ‘I told you it would be there,’ Mr Clarke exulted.
    ‘May I see?’ Charlotte asked. Mr Dundas stepped aside so that Charlotte might stand before it and then read out, ‘“Revised K&A Canal route through Devizes.” Is this then the cause of so much hardship for Mr Haversham?’
    ‘It is,’ Mr Dundas confirmed. ‘He bought land along the old route with his own money previously, predicting a good investment’—he ran his finger along the map, squinting at it and muttered about his missing glasses—‘but I had sent him this revision, unaware of his … gamble. If he had had more time, he might have recouped some of his investment. Not much perhaps, but maybe enough to save him from ruin.’
    I noticed Charlotte stiffen slightly and then hurriedly reach down and refold the map. She gave the map back to Mr Clarke and said, ‘I suppose you might as well return this to the strongbox, although now that the horse has bolted …’
    Mr Clarke, appearing relieved, reached to take the map from Charlotte, who hesitated ever so slightly before relinquishing it. This interaction was shielded from Mr Dundas by Charlotte’s back.
    ‘Still I shall return it as George intended,’ he said and returned it to the box, locked it and then returned the key to Charlotte. ‘I trust you shall return this to George.’
    Charlotte nodded and accepted the key. The transaction prodded Mr Dundas.
    ‘Mr Clarke, I fear I owe you an apology for I …’
    ‘There is no need, Mr Dundas. This has been a trying time for us all and you were only acting in the good faith of the canal company. But if you will excuse me, I have a great deal of work now that I have not the benefit of my partner.’
    He summarily ushered us out of the office, Mr Dundas appearing very contrite and far from his affable self. Mrs Fitzhugh moved to console him once we were outside.
    ‘Mr Dundas, I am surprised to find you here,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said, ‘but it is pleasurable nonetheless.’
    He smiled at this. ‘And a pleasure for me too. My arrival would not have been a surprise were you to have waited for the afternoon post, when you would have found a letter informing you of my arrival.’
    ‘And of what does Mr Clarke stand accused?’ I asked.
    Mr Dundas walked away from the office, trailed by three women. He was clearly uncomfortable.
    ‘It is enough that I was incorrect in my suspicion,’ he said.
    ‘Hah!’ cried Charlotte. ‘It is not enough. I assume there is some suspicion as to his involvement in this affair, presumably relating to his losses … or his gains?’
    Mr Dundas sighed and said, ‘Very well, Charlotte. As you have already guessed … there are rumours that Mr Clarke was not as hurt from the disclosure as his partner, and I thought he might have released the map to third parties who acted on his behalf, well in advance. But as the map was there … well I cannot account for the premature news. However at least we now know Edward is blameless in all this. Come, we must hasten to tell Miss Streetham.’

Mr Haversham Recovers
    We returned to Mr Haversham’s home to find great rejoicing. That gentleman had awakened from the deep sleep induced the previous night by the sleeping draught and had announced himself hungry.
    ‘He is still very tired, of course, but he had a thin gruel and seems much the better for it,’ Mrs Streetham announced. Her daughter and the housekeeper remained with Mr Haversham.
    ‘Should he have no difficulty keeping that down, I hope we may bring him something more substantial.’
    ‘I would like to help if I could, Mrs Streetham,’ our friend offered. Charlotte looked at Mrs Fitzhugh with a knowing smile, assured that the key would be returned without anyone the wiser.
    ‘That would be very kind of you. You have a very reassuring presence, Mrs Fitzhugh. I can tell you have a knowledge of troubled times.’
    The two ladies retreated from the drawing-room to discuss what best to bring Mr Haversham.
    ‘This is good news,’ Mr Dundas said to us after their departure. ‘George is a dear friend and he and that young woman deserve some happiness.’
    ‘Is there any hope that Mr Haversham’s fortunes may survive this calamity?’ I asked.
    ‘There is always hope, I suppose,’ he said after a moment’s thought. ‘George has a reputation for honesty and integrity uncommon in our day. There are those who would take