My Particular Friend footnotes: The Poison Pen Affair 5

‘She brings £500 in the three percents and upon the death of my cousin another £1,000, for as I may have told you my cousin is excessively fond of my sweet child. And my clever husband has also secured for her another £2,000 in the five percents, and then there is my mother’s plate, which my father never cared for—men never understand the value of what they’re eating on—which devolved to me thanks to my mother’s agreement when she was wed. So all in all I think Mr Hickham cannot think that we bring nothing to the table.

‘Oh, but look how gracefully Sophia dances with that Mr Henshaw. He does cut a fine figure in his red coat. Of course, he’s only with the militia and I doubt he’ll afford a commission any time soon. Still, Sophia enjoys dancing with a man in uniform and I don’t think there is any great harm in it.’

I turned to see the man on whom Mrs Ashby had set her daughter’s cap. He had a fine figure, taller than Charlotte with jet-black, thick hair and refined features atop a muscular physique that spoke of athletic pursuits. No little wonder at Mrs Ashby’s excitement, I thought, £10,000 a year in his own right and the eldest son of a baron; she had a right to be enraptured at the thought of her daughter making such an alliance.

‘My dear Mrs Ashby, how delightful to see you,’ he said, with a sweep of his arm to accompany his bow. ‘But where is the fair Miss Ashby?’
‘You see her dancing to Highgate, Mr Hickham.’

‘No, I have already claimed Miss House and she has kindly agreed. You, my dear, need some refreshment. You are flushed and could hardly sustain another dance.’
‘I am rather knocked up,’ she agreed. ‘Mama, let’s let Frederick have his dance while we find some negus.’