Affair Read Online Free Page B

carefully. "I assumed the inheritance was passed on to
    Miss Arkendale and her sister."
    Marcie's brows rose. "That is what Miss Charlotte would have you believe. But I can tell you that Winterbourne squandered nearly every penny of the Arkendale inheritance before he had the grace to
    get himself murdered by a footpad five years ago."
    Baxter removed his spectacles and began to polish them with his handkerchief. "Just what do you suspect is the real source of Miss Arkendale's money?"
    Marcie examined his nails. "I will be truthful, sit. Although I have assisted in the investment and management of her income for five years, to this day I have no notion of where the money
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    originates. I recommend that if you take this post, you follow my example. Sometimes it's best not to know all of the facts."
    Baxter slowly replaced his eyeglasses. "Fascinating. I expect some distant relative died and left an inheritance that has made up for the one that Winterbourne frittered away." "I do not believe that to be the case," Marcie said slowly. "I succumbed to curiosity a couple of years ago and made some dis-
    creet inquiries. There was no such wealthy Arkendale relative. I fear the source of her funds is simply one more peculiar mystery sur-
    rounding Miss Arkendale."
    It was no mystery at all if Rosalind was correct in her conclu-
    sions, Baxter thought. The lady was a blackmailer.
    A distinct tapping sound brought his thoughts back to the
    present. He glanced at Charlotte, who had come to a halt near the
    fireplace. She was drumming her fingers on the marble mantel.
    "I do not see how Marcie could possibly have imagined you to
    be qualified for this post," she said.
    Baxter had had enough of arguing the point. "It is not as if
    there are a great many men about who can meet your absurd re-
    quirements, Miss Arkendale.    11
    She glowered. "But surely Mr. Marcie can find me a gentleman w   o is more suited to the position than yourself
    Have you forgotten? Marcie is halfway to Devon. Would you mind telling me precisely what it is about me that is so unsuitable?"
    "Other than your lack of skill with a pistol?" she asked much too sweetly. "Yes, other than that failing." "You force me to be rude, sit. The problem is your appearance." "What the devil is wrong with my appearance? No one could be more unprepossessing than myself."
    Charlotte scowled. "Do not feed me that Banbury tale. You most certainly are not a potato pudding. just the opposite, in fact."

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    _-SD
    Amanda Quick
    long sleeves and a white ruff. A pair of yellow kid slippers peeked out from beneath the severely restrained flounce that decorated the hem. He could not help but notice that she had very pretty feet. Nicely shaped with dainty ankles.
    Appalled at the direction of his thoughts, Baxter looked away. "Forgive me, Miss Arkendale, but I seem to have missed your
    point. "You will simply not do as my man-of-affairs." "Because I wear spectacles?" He frowned. "I would have thought that they rather enhanced the impression of potatopudding blandness." "Your spectacles are not the problem." She sounded thoroughly exasperated now.
    "I thought you just said they were the problem." "Haven't you been listening? I begin to believe that you are
    deliberately misunderstanding me, sit. I repeat, you are not qualified for this post." "I am perfectly suited to it. May I remind you that your own
    man-of-affairs has recommended me for this position?"
    Charlotte dismissed that with a wave of her hand. "Mr. Marcie
    is no longer my man-of-affairs. He is even now on his way to a
    cottage in Devon." "I believe he did say something to the effect that he felt he had
    earned a long and peaceful retirement. I gained the impression that you were a somewhat demanding employer, Miss Arkendale."
    She stiffened. "I beg your pardon?" "Never mind. Marcie's retirement is not the issue. What is of
    importance here is that you called upon him one last time and gave him instructions to find his