Read Online Affair by Amanda Quick - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Amanda Quick
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Detective and Mystery Stories, Mystery Fiction, Love Stories, Large Type Books, London (England)
Ads: Link
lantern, I propose that we work together." "Wait for me." Charlotte's footsteps sounded lightly on the
stairs. "Really, sit, when this is finished, you and I are going to have a serious discussion regarding the precise nature of your duties." "Whatever you say, Miss Arkendale." He turned the corner on
the landing and started up the next flight of stairs. "It might save
some time if you were to tell me just what we are looking for here tonight.
11 1 only wish I knew." She sounded slightly breathless as she
hurried to catch up with him. "I'm hoping something useful will
come to light." "I was afraid of that." He paused at the top of the stairs and gazed down the length of the darkened corridor. "The bedchambers, I believe. Shall we start at the end of the hall?"
Charlotte came to a halt beside him and peered into the shad-
ows. "That sounds logical." "I am nothing if not logical, Miss Arkendale." "Nor am 1, Mr. St. Ives." She lifted her chin and led the way to
the door at the end of the corridor.
Baxter followed her into the first bedchamber and set the lantern down on a table. He watched Charlotte swiftly open and close drawers. Her expression was serious and intent. Whatever this wa@.
it was no game to her, he realized.
51
"May I ask how long you have been pursuing your rather bizarre career, Miss Arkendale?" Baxter halted in front of a wardrobe and
opened the door. "Since shortly after my stepfather was murdered a few years ago." Charlotte peered into the depths of a dressing table drawer. "My sister and I were left with very little in the way of funds. There are not a great many careers open to ladies. It was either become a
governess, which does not provide sufficient income for two, or
invent an alternative."
Baxter pushed aside a row of gowns to check the back of the
wardrobe. "Where did you get the inspiration for this particular alternative?" "My stepfather," Charlotte said coldly. "Lord Winterbourne. He
was a greedy opportunist who took advantage of my mother after she was widowed. He convinced her that he wished to take care of her as well as my sister and myself, but in truth he only wanted to
get his hands on her money. "I see."
"My poor mother died within months after Winterbourne mar-
tied her. I do not think she ever realized what a truly dreadful man
he was. But in truth he was a selfish, cruel, unfeeling creature.
Neither my sister nor I could mourn him." "It does sound as though you are far better off without him," Baxter said as he tried another wardrobe drawer. "Infinitely so." Charlotte went down on her knees beside the bed. "Society is riddled with such despicable liars, Mr. St. Ives. And for the most part women in my mother's situation are extremely vulnerable. They have very few means by which to ascertain the true facts about a suitor's background and financial status." "SO You offer them your services." Baxter went to the window and probed behind the heavy curtains. "Was your stepfather's killer found?" "No." Charlotte rose to her feet and gazed around the room,
52 Amanda Quick
searching for another likely hiding place. "Some nameless footpad did the deed."
How very convenient, Baxter thought. "This business of having one of your clients die on you makes for your second brush with murder in a relatively short span of years. Many people live out their entire lives without ever coming so close to that particular crime even once, let alone twice."
Charlotte swung around to face him. "Just what are you implying, sir?" "Merely an observation. Those of us who are interested in science cannot resist noting odd bits of logic and unusual connections. " He was about to let the curtain fall back into place when he
saw a slight movement on the other side of the street.
Baxter narrowed his eyes slightly. There was just enough glare reflected from the gas lamp to make out the shadowy figure that slipped through the swirling fog. A servant returning after an
stairs. "Really, sit, when this is finished, you and I are going to have a serious discussion regarding the precise nature of your duties." "Whatever you say, Miss Arkendale." He turned the corner on
the landing and started up the next flight of stairs. "It might save
some time if you were to tell me just what we are looking for here tonight.
11 1 only wish I knew." She sounded slightly breathless as she
hurried to catch up with him. "I'm hoping something useful will
come to light." "I was afraid of that." He paused at the top of the stairs and gazed down the length of the darkened corridor. "The bedchambers, I believe. Shall we start at the end of the hall?"
Charlotte came to a halt beside him and peered into the shad-
ows. "That sounds logical." "I am nothing if not logical, Miss Arkendale." "Nor am 1, Mr. St. Ives." She lifted her chin and led the way to
the door at the end of the corridor.
Baxter followed her into the first bedchamber and set the lantern down on a table. He watched Charlotte swiftly open and close drawers. Her expression was serious and intent. Whatever this wa@.
it was no game to her, he realized.
51
"May I ask how long you have been pursuing your rather bizarre career, Miss Arkendale?" Baxter halted in front of a wardrobe and
opened the door. "Since shortly after my stepfather was murdered a few years ago." Charlotte peered into the depths of a dressing table drawer. "My sister and I were left with very little in the way of funds. There are not a great many careers open to ladies. It was either become a
governess, which does not provide sufficient income for two, or
invent an alternative."
Baxter pushed aside a row of gowns to check the back of the
wardrobe. "Where did you get the inspiration for this particular alternative?" "My stepfather," Charlotte said coldly. "Lord Winterbourne. He
was a greedy opportunist who took advantage of my mother after she was widowed. He convinced her that he wished to take care of her as well as my sister and myself, but in truth he only wanted to
get his hands on her money. "I see."
"My poor mother died within months after Winterbourne mar-
tied her. I do not think she ever realized what a truly dreadful man
he was. But in truth he was a selfish, cruel, unfeeling creature.
Neither my sister nor I could mourn him." "It does sound as though you are far better off without him," Baxter said as he tried another wardrobe drawer. "Infinitely so." Charlotte went down on her knees beside the bed. "Society is riddled with such despicable liars, Mr. St. Ives. And for the most part women in my mother's situation are extremely vulnerable. They have very few means by which to ascertain the true facts about a suitor's background and financial status." "SO You offer them your services." Baxter went to the window and probed behind the heavy curtains. "Was your stepfather's killer found?" "No." Charlotte rose to her feet and gazed around the room,
52 Amanda Quick
searching for another likely hiding place. "Some nameless footpad did the deed."
How very convenient, Baxter thought. "This business of having one of your clients die on you makes for your second brush with murder in a relatively short span of years. Many people live out their entire lives without ever coming so close to that particular crime even once, let alone twice."
Charlotte swung around to face him. "Just what are you implying, sir?" "Merely an observation. Those of us who are interested in science cannot resist noting odd bits of logic and unusual connections. " He was about to let the curtain fall back into place when he
saw a slight movement on the other side of the street.
Baxter narrowed his eyes slightly. There was just enough glare reflected from the gas lamp to make out the shadowy figure that slipped through the swirling fog. A servant returning after an
Similar Books
