Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

Finally Miss Chivington said, ‘But why tell us this?’
    ‘Because you were deceived and I think a marriage should not begin with a lie. You deserve to know what your future husbands will do for you, and what they will
not
do for you. I would urge you, however, to keep secret your knowledge of their subterfuge. Allow them the satisfaction of their guile and cunning; men’s opinions of themselves are such fragile things. Someday you may chuse to tell them you know, perhaps someday when that knowledge may be to your advantage.’
    The two women left us rather subdued, and I confronted Charlotte about revealing all.
    ‘Why Charlotte, why would you risk their happiness?’
    ‘Better to risk it now than learn of it later.’
    ‘But how will they learn of it? You will not speak of it, I am sure, and if you suspect me …’
    ‘I suspect no one. But fundamentally, I do not wish them to be deceived. If their love can win out over their pride, then there shall be a marriage. It is for them to decide. And besides,
you
did not object.’
    I would argue it further but then it was announced that Mr Wallace had arrived. He came in and immediately Mrs Fitzhugh and I plied him with questions as to the particulars of the previous morning.
    ‘Mr Sunderland was the most grievously injured. I’ve never seen a bullet leave a mark like that; it looked more like someone had laid a hot poker upon his face. And Mr Jenkins has broken a rib. I’m afraid this has put paid to your theory, Miss House.’
    It was then that Charlotte again produced the bullets—she was getting quite good at the dramatic reveal—and explained what had really happened. Again I watched the display of confusion, surprise and then outrage, and it was all Charlotte could do to stop him from running into the street and damning the two at the top of his lungs.
    ‘Please sir, if you will not comport yourself as a gentleman ought …’
    ‘You accuse me of not acting as a gentleman, and yet you condone this outrage.’
    ‘I do not condone it, but it is done and no harm has resulted.’
    ‘No harm! Mr Jenkins has a broken rib and Mr Sunderland has been horribly scarred.’
    ‘Then let that be their lesson, sir. Would you deny them their happiness?’
    That question stopped his tirade for a moment. ‘You would put it on me?’
    ‘Since you seem to be the arbiter of decency and correct behaviour, yes.’
    ‘They did what they did for love, Mr Wallace,’ I said. ‘Surely towards that end, much can be forgiven.’
    He looked at me surprised, so focused was he on his argument with Charlotte.
    ‘After all, you withdrew your objection when you thought they were to shoot wide,’ Mrs Fitzhugh reminded him.
    ‘I merely postponed my objections when I was reminded it was all theory, but now that I have proof of their deception I am unwilling to forgive,’ he said, but the force of his words had abated.
    ‘Please Mr Wallace, you hold it in your hands to deny happiness to two couples,’ Charlotte said, ignoring her own efforts toward that end.
    He looked at us in turn and saw three pairs of eyes pleading with him.
    ‘Oh, damn it, this is most unfair. You outnumber me.’
    And thus we knew we had engaged his silence, a silence that was soon to be tested for Robert announced the arrival of Mr Jenkins and Mr Sunderland.
    —&—
    The two gentlemen just announced eyed each other warily. Were it not for the evidence of the clay bullets, I should have thought the duel real enough, for they played perfectly the parts of two men who had recently contested each other.
    ‘Miss House? What is the meaning of this?’ Mr Sunderland asked my friend without the courtesy of exchanging greetings.
    ‘It will be evident shortly, Mr Sunderland,’ Charlotte said, with the hauteur of nobility allowing the peasants to petition their betters. ‘Thank you for coming.’
    ‘Do I know you, madame?’ Mr Jenkins asked, ‘you look familiar to me.’ But he fortunately knew his manners. ‘Forgive me the impertinence,’ he said, offered a good bow, and then added, ‘allow me to introduce myself …’
    ‘We are familiar with you, Mr Jenkins,’ Charlotte said, and then introduced each of us. ‘And you are already friends with Mr Wallace.’
    After Charlotte bid everyone sit, she said, ‘Perhaps I should explain, Mr Jenkins, that Miss Bassett had asked my help in preventing the duel you have just fought with Mr Sunderland.’
    ‘And may I ask, who are you to meddle in such