Charlotte was carrying a large jug of water. She looked from Helen to Jack and back. "Not with any great friendship, I see."
Helen"s smile was as broad as ever. "He is the most awkward man, Mrs. Riley," she said brightly. "He sent you with a note to my servant to arrange an assignation, and then stood as tongue-tied as a mule."
"All men are awkward, Miss Helen," Charlotte said. "My Riley was as bad. It comes from these all-boys schools, you see. They are fine at their boy"s games of war and sport but when it comes to anything important…" She rolled her eyes. "They can be frightfully threadbare. We have to lead them by the nose all the time."
"Excuse me, ladies," Jack felt himself flushing with embarrassment at being the subject of their conversation.
"Oh, you are excused, Lieutenant Wi
