Free Quick, Amanda by Affair

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?"
    Charlottecame 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 watchedCharlotte
    Page 44
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    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."
    Charlotteswung 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
    Page 45
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    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 evening off from his
    duties perhaps, Baxter thought.
    Or was it someone who had no more business