Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

even louder, “Yes, I am, sir. I am calling you a liar if you fail to admit Miss Bassett is” … well, what Mr Wallace said earlier.’
    ‘That you are the most beautiful woman, &c.?’ Charlotte asked, to which Miss Bassett nodded in agreement, with what I had to concede appeared honest embarrassment.
    Mr Wallace continued the story: ‘I ran across the street, for I saw the path these gentleman were taking, but I heard the word “satisfaction” and knew I was too late. Then our comrades joined us, with Mr Sunderland’s friend … ah, I have it now, Mr Arkwright … defending his friend and Mr Purcell defending Mr Jenkins.’
    ‘But you did not defend Mr Jenkins?’
    Mr Wallace guiltily nodded. ‘I do not count myself a particular friend of Mr Jenkins and the matter … I beg your pardon Miss Bassett, but I thought the matter rather stupid. And it was made even more pointless as neither gentleman could agree what was the original offence, but finally it was agreed that calling Mr Sunderland a liar was paramount to not admitting Miss Bassett the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.’
    By now I must admit to being tired of that phrase.
    ‘And how did you find yourself being a second?’ Mrs Fitzhugh asked Mr Wallace.
    ‘I am afraid by virtue of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I am not his immediate second and I sincerely hope that I might escape this duty altogether should Mr Jenkins’s brother be available. It is not a welcome duty for I do not approve of men so foolishly risking their lives, not when men already die in battle, but as I was of Mr Jenkins’s party and I do owe him a service …’
    ‘I see,’ Charlotte said. ‘You do not care for him?’
    Mr Wallace looked at Miss Bassett. ‘I hardly know him, but I think him a good man and my only negative impression of him results from this unwise action. He is … as Miss Bassett has described him … a deliberate thoughtful man who …’ Mr Wallace stopped, obviously loathe to speak badly of someone, and then added, ‘He
also
does not excite my interest.’
    ‘And to return to his proposal, Miss Bassett? Do his actions to-day overcome your reluctance?’
    ‘I would be lying were I to say I am unmoved. That a man would fight a duel … it raises him in my estimation. I am frightfully ashamed to admit it. But regardless of my esteem, I could not stand to see anyone come to harm over me.’
    Charlotte paused to evaluate this and then said, ‘I like your honesty, Miss Bassett, and it is understandable that you now view Mr Jenkins in a new light. But I fear I may not be in a position to be of much help. A woman can hardly interfere in such matters.’
    ‘I had thought of that, Miss House,’ Mr Wallace said. ‘And I thought I might be your intermediary.’
    ‘You would do this? You would heed my beck and call?’
    He nodded and she said, ‘You surprise me, sir. Very well then, I will have to direct you from the comfort of my armchair. Can I assume you tried to persuade Mr Jenkins to offer his apology to Mr Sunderland?’
    ‘Yes I have, but my words fall on deaf ears. He will only say, “She is the most beautiful woman in the world” and that he would not have it said … you spoke, Miss Woodsen?’
    ‘No, pardon me,’ I said, embarrassed that my groan was so audible. ‘Please continue.’
    ‘But that is all I have to say. He cannot be persuaded. But at the very least Mr Sunderland agreed to delay an actual challenge until to-morrow.’
    ‘Ah, well done. That gives us some time to persuade Mr Sunderland to forgive the affront, but my memory of him is that his honour is easily wounded and he has fought a duel … or duels … before. Still one must try.’
    ‘I agree and so I go later to-day to meet with him and his second. But as you say, he appeared quick to find insult.’
    ‘Good, you anticipate me. And I would also have you appeal again to Mr Jenkins, perhaps with the information that Miss Bassett would not have him enter this duel. And then you must report back to me every particular.’
    —&—
    After Mr Wallace, Miss Bassett and her maid departed, Charlotte and I went to the library to consult her commonplace books, but not before I had a whispered conversation with Mrs Fitzhugh as we were leaving the drawing-room.
    ‘What was the matter with Charlotte?’
    ‘What can you mean, Jane?’
    I made an exasperated sound and said, ‘You know very well what I mean. I saw you look to her, as did I. She was very