Affair Read Online Free Page A

the circumstances sur-
    rounding the murder of her friend, Drusilla Heskett. The authorities had declared that the woman had been shot by a housebreaker.
    Rosalind suspected that the killer was none other than Charlotte Arkendale.
    Baxter had agreed to look into the situation on his aunt's behalf
    A discreet inquiry had turned up the information that the mysterious Miss Arkendale happened to be in need of a new man-ofaffairs. Baxter had seized the opportunity to apply for the post.
    He reasoned that if he could talk his way into the position he would be ideally situated to conduct his investigation. With any luck he would resolve the matter in short order and be able to
    return to the calm refuge of his laboratory.
    Marcie exhaled heavily. "It's true that working for Miss Arkendale can sometimes produce an element of excitement, but I
    am not altogether certain it is the type of adventure you would enjoy, Mr. St. Ives." "I shall be the judge of that."
    "Believe me, sir, if it's excitement you crave, you would do
    belicr to take yourself off to a gaming hell."
    -) don't enjoy games of chance." Marcie grimaced. "I assure you, a lively hell would be infinitely
    1,ss maddening than embroiling yourself in Miss Arkendale's af-
    fal rs. "
    Baxter had not considered the possibility that Charlotte Arkendale was a candidate for Bedlam. "You believe her to be M"td?" "How many ladies of your acquaintance require a man-of-affairs who can also undertake the duties of a bodyguard, sir?"
    An excellent question, Baxter thought ruefully, The entire mat-
    ter sounded more bizarre by the moment. "Nevertheless, I wish to apply for the post. It is obvious why she needs a new man-of-affairs.
    You are retiring, after all, and she must replace you. But perhaps you would be good enough to explain why Miss Arkendale is in need of a bodyguard?" "How the devil should I know the answer to that?" Marcie tossed aside his pen. "Miss Arkendale is a most peculiar female. I have served as her man-of-affairs since the death of her stepfather, Lord Winterbourne. I can assure you, these past five years have been the longest years of my life."
    Baxter eyed him curiously. "If you disliked your post, why did you continue in it?"
    Marcie sighed. "She pays extraordinarily well." "I see."
    "But I must confess that whenever I received a letter of instruction from her, I trembled in my shoes. I never knew what strange demand she would make next. And that was before she took a
    notion to add the duties of a bodyguard to the post." "What sort of demands does she make in the normal course of affairs?"
    Marcie groaned. "She has sent me to make inquiries of the oddest people. I have gone haring off to the North in order to obtain

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    Amanda Quick
    information on a certain gentleman. I have interviewed the managers of the most appalling hells and brothels on her behalf. I have inquired into the financial affairs of any number of men who would
    be shocked to learn of her interest."
    "Odd, indeed." "And most unladylike. Upon my oath, sit, if she did not pay so handsomely, I would have quit my position after the first month of service. But at least I was never required to act as a bodyguard. I am
    grateful for that much." "You have no notion of why she feels herself to be in danger?" "None whatsoever." Marcie's chair squeaked as he leaned back
    in it. "Miss Arkendale has not seen fit to confide in me on that
    score. In truth, there is a great deal Miss Arkendale has never seen
    fit to confide in me. I am extremely vague about the actual source of
    her income, for example."
    Baxter was very good at controlling his expressions. A bastard, even one who was the by-blow of a wealthy earl, learned the skill early on in life. The talent served him well at that moment. He managed to convey only casual interest in Marcie's last statement. "I was under the impression that Miss Arkendale's mother, Lady Winterbourne, had a substantial income from her first marriage," Baxter said