AmandaQuick-Affair.txt

by Affair (lit)

  thing has just occurred to me. We heard no sound in the hall or oil

  the stairs earlier. That means that the intruder must have been ill the house when we arrived home."

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  -V(ry likely.- .,\ hat a ghastly notion." Charlotte shuddered. "To think that I,,. was there, listening, all the while you and I were . . . were - - -" She could not bring herself to finish the sentence.

  "I suspect he was upstairs when we interrupted his plans." Baxter fit il wall sconce. "He no doubt decided to wait until he was

  certain that we were well occupied before he fled." "Do you suppose he overheard us?"

  Baxter lifted one shoulder in a disinterested movement. "Possibly." @le bent to examine the lock on the door. "But I suspect he was far more interested in making good his escape than he was in

  playing the voyeur." "I wonder if he managed to make off with anything." She frowned at Baxter, who was fiddling with the door. "What are you doing?"

  11 Attempting to determine precisely how he got inside. The front door was locked when we returned so he must have entered the house through this entrance." Baxter straightened, a thoughtful ex-

  pression on his face. "But this lock has not been damaged and there are no broken windows. It would appear that our man knew what he was about. "

  "How dreadful. A professional member of the criminal class was

  right here in my house." Charlotte rubbed her hands over her chilled arms. "I must have a look around to see what is missing. I do hope that he did not steal the silver tea service or the ormolu clock. "

  "I'll walk through the house with you." Baxter strode toward the stairs. "I caught only a glimpse of his coat in the darkness but he did not appear to be carrying anything heavy enough to slow hirn down. With any luck we shall discover that your possessions are still here."

  11 Baxter?" He glanced impatiently back over his shoulder, his whole attent"In clearly riveted on the matter at hand. "What is it?"

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  "Thank you." Charlotte smiled tremulously. "It was very brave of you to chase that villain off tonight." "All in a day's work, Miss Arkendale."

  9he incense burned low in the black and crimson room. His senses were open. It was time.

  "Read the cards, my love."

  The fortune-teller placed the first card on the table. "The golden griffin. "He is persistent."

  She turned over the next card. "The lady with the crystal eyes." "A nuisance."

  The fortune-teller plucked another card from the deck. "The silver ring." She looked up. "The griffin and the lady have formed an alliance."

  "It must be severed. I shall deal with it." He leaned forward. "What of the phoenix?"

  The fortune-teller hesitated. Then she placed another card. faceup on the table. "The phoenix will triumph."

  Yes." He was satisfied.

  When the fortune-teller shivered with longing, he pushed her down onto the carpet. He knew the golden griffin's weaknesses well. And one of them was the lady with the crystal eyes, the woman who now belonged to the griffin.

  There could be no more satisfactory way to destroy a man of honor than to savage one whom such a man felt honor bound to protect.

  _/( housebreaker?" Ariel paused in the act of helping herself to the scrambled eggs and turned to look at Charlotte in amaze-

  ment. "I do not believe it. You say he was right here in the house when you returned home with Mr. St. Ives?"

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  (/al

  -yes. Charlotte busied herself with her napkin while she mentally reviewed the portions of the tale that she did not intend to relate. There was no need to tell Ariel exactly what she and Baxter had been doing prior to the intruder's untimely interruption. "Mr. st. Ives and I went into the study to discuss the results of the evening's inquiries and we heard someone in the hall. You know how that floorboard near the kitchen creaks whenever it is trod

  know. What happened? Was anything taken?" -No, thank heavens. Mr. St. Ives pursued the villain and chased hion ot-f through the garden."

  Artel tipped her head to one side. "St. Ives gave chase?" "Yes. He is extraordinarily brave and quite fleet of foot. But the intrLider had a head start and disappeared into the night." "Fleet of foot?" Ariel looked briefly intrigued by that observation. "I would not have thought of Mr. St. Ives as fleet of foot. Oh, well, do go on. Tell me the rest." "There is not much else to tell. Mr. St. Ives and I walked through the entire house after the villain fled. We checked the silver and other things that a thief might have wanted to carry off but nothing seemed to be missing. Mr. St. Ives feels that we interrupted the intruder before he could complete his work." "Thank God." Ariel sat down with a bemused expression. "This is absolutely amazing. Some footpad must have noticed that the house was empty last night and decided to take advantage of the opportunity." "That's how it appears." "How fortunate that you were not alone when you heard the v 'Ilai in the hall."

  1 in , "Yes. "Why did you not tell me about this the instant I walked through the door?" Ariel asked. "As no harm had been done, I concluded that there was no point in waiting up in order to tell you the story." And no reason to

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  mention that after Baxter had left, she had lain awake for hours listening to every creak and groan of the house, Charlotte thought.

  When she had not been aware of every sound, she had kcpt herself occupied with thoughts of Baxter. His mood had chang(-,l after the business with the intruder. His steely self-mastery hacl reasserted itself. There had been no further discussion of an affair.

  She did not know whether to be vastly relieved or gravely dl*S"L[)pointed. "It was quite late when Lady Trengloss brought me home in her

  carriage," Ariel admitted. "I do not believe that I have ever sta) (-(I up until dawn before in my life. Her ladyship tells me that clurl fig the Season most of the ton is up until sunrise."

  Charlotte spread gooseberry jam on her toast. "Did you enjoy yourself ? "

  A glowing warmth bloomed in Ariel's cheeks. "I had a wonder-

  ful evening. It was as if I stepped into another world." "It is a world Mother greatly enjoyed." Charlotte felt a pang of the familiar wistfulness that she always got when she recalled the old memories of the time before Winterbourne. "Do you remember how much Mama loved the Season?" "She looked so very beautiful when she went out in the eve-

  nings." Ariel's eyes softened. "And Father was so handsome. I remember how I loved to stand at the window and watch them drive off together in the carriage. I imagined that they were a prince and a

  princess in a fairy tale."

  A short silence descended on the morning room. Charlotte

  shook off the past. She sensed Ariel doing the same. There was no

  point reminding each other of how the fairy tale had ended. "I noticed that you danced with the Earl of Esherton at the

  Hiltson ball," Charlotte said.

  Ariel blushed. "I danced with him again later in the evening at

  the Todd soiree. He is an excellent dancer. And his conversation is

  most interesting. 11

  ., P/1

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  is a fine-looking man." he is. And a perfect gentleman. I only wish I could have danced every waltz with him. But that would have caused gossip, of

  course.

  -Of course." "He went off to his club around three so I did not see him after that. "

  The happy excitement in Ariel's eyes worried Charlotte for some

  reason, She was not certain what to say. She did not even know if

  she ought to say anything. Her sister was a sensible young woman, far more levelheaded than most her age. This experience of the Season was precisely what she had wished for Ariel. Surely there was

  no harm in encouraging her to enjoy herself. The adventure would end all too soon.

  It occurred to Charlotte that she could give herself the same

  advi
ce. A pleasant warmth suffused her whole body as memories of the passionate embrace returned. The prospect of an affair with

  Baxter compelled her imagination.

  And then she recalled how cool and remote he had been when he had asked her to become his paramour, how he had deliberately seduced her on the sofa while holding himself in check. She had been the subject of an experiment last night, Charlotte reminded herself. She did not care for the feeling.

  Mrs. Witty stuck her head into the morning room. "A lady to

  see you, Miss Charlotte. Says she's here on urgent business." "A client?" Charlotte glanced at the clock and frowned. "It's only eleven. I do not have any appointments until this afternoon.,,

  "Could be this particular client is a bit more desperate than "nost-" Mrs. Witty raised her brows. "She appears to be in immediate need of a husband, if you take my meaning."

  Charlotte was startled. "Do you mean she's increasing?" "Pregnant as a ewe in Spring," Mrs. Witty said cheerfully. "If I

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  were in her shoes, 1 wouldn't be wastin' any time making inquirics into the background of any man who'd made an offer. I'd take hi:@n up on it before he could change his mind."

  Ariel looked up. "I could interview her if you like, Charlottt.Mrs. Witty looked at Charlotte. "She specifically asked for yoLt, Miss Charlotte. Said she couldn't talk to anyone else." "Show her into the study, Mrs. Witty." Charlotte rose from t1i,

  table. "Tell her that I shall join her presently." "Yes, Miss Charlotte." Mrs. Witty started to withdraw.

  "One more thing," Charlotte said quickly. "I have a favor to a,k

  of you, Mrs. Witty. We know that Mrs. Heskett's staff was out @d

  the house on the night of the murder but I wonder if it might oe

  worth a chat with her housekeeper. She may be able to tell Lis

  something of her employer's plans for that evening. Do you think you could locate her?"

  Mrs. Witty nodded. "I'll have a go at it." "I shall be in here if you need me, Charlotte." Ariel went back

  to the sideboard to refill her plate. "Lady Trengloss says that I am to

  fortify myself for tonight's round of social affairs. She claims that the Season requires a lady to have stamina."

  "Lady Trengloss is no doubt an authority on the subject."

  Charlotte went out the door and down the hall. She paused in

  front of the mirror to make certain that she presented a professional, competent appearance and then she walked into the study.

  The lady seated in front of the desk appeared to be about Char-

  lotte's age. She was quite pretty, with light brown hair and soft features.

  She was also quite pregnant. A blue pelisse was stretched t3Ut

  over a high, rounded belly. "Miss Arkendale?" The woman looked at Charlotte with anx-

  ious eyes much reddened from recent tears.

  "Yes." Charlotte gave the woman a reassuring smile as slic

  gently closed the study door. "I'm afraid that my housekeeper did not supply me with your name."

  "Because I did not give it to her." The woman dabbed at her

  eyes with a damp handkerchief "My name is Juliana Post. And I am

  here because I heard rumors that you were engaged to Mr. Baxter St.

  Ives. Is it true?"

  Charlotte halted midway across the study. "Why, yes. Why do

  you

  ask?"

  Juliana began to sob into her handkerchief "Because I was his last 1)aramour. It is his babe I carry. His bastard. Baxter has left me a rulned woman, Miss Arkendale. I thought you should know what sort of man he is."

  Dumbfounded, Charlotte stared at Juliana's bent head. "What on earth are you saying?" "He promised me marriage, Miss Arkendale." Juliana rose to

  her feet. "He said we would be wed. That is how he convinced me

  to submit to his embraces. But when he learned that I was pregnant, he cast me off. I have no family. I do not know what will become of me."

  "If this is an attempt to obtain money from me-" "No, no, it is not." Sobbing, Juliana rushed toward the door. "miss Post, wait, I have some questions to ask you." "I cannot bear to talk about it." Juliana paused in the doorway and looked back at Charlotte with bitter eyes. "I came here today because I felt it was my duty to warn you that St. Ives is a bastard not only by birth, but by temperament. I am lost, Miss Arkendale. But it is not too late to save yourself Take care or you will meet the same bad end."

  A@w

  Charlotte heard the front door slam shut behind Juliana Post. She hurried out into the hall and peered through the window. She was in time to watch Juliana climb into a hackney carriage with an

  agility that was amazing in a woman who was so far advanced in her

  pregnancy.

  Charlotte whirled around and seized a deep-brimmed straw bon-

  net from a wall hook. She grabbed the serviceable woolen coat that

  hung beside it.

  Mrs. Witty emerged from the kitchens. She dried her hands on

  the neat white apron that covered her new bombazine gown and frowned at Charlotte. "Whatever is the matter?" "I,M going to follow that woman who just left." Charlotte yanked open the front door and started down the steps. "I want to

  see where she goes." "This is madness," Mrs. Witty called from the doorway. "She left in a carriage. You cannot hope to keep up with her on foot."

  "The traffic is so slow in this part of town that I should be able to keep the carriage in sight if I hurry." Charlotte jammed her bonnet down onto her head and started to run.

  "But you may have to follow her for a great distance," Mrs. Witty yelled.

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  i i,irlotte paid no attention. Several heads turned to watch as

  she tj(v along the walkway. She ignored the assortment of amused

  e%pr,ss,ons and disapproving looks. She was well aware that those

  who kliew her already thought her rather odd. Strangers would only shrug ar the sight of a woman rushing through the throng of delivery carts and farmers' wagons that crowded the streets at this hour

  of the day.

  The lumbering hackney turned the corner at the far end of the

  street. Charlotte realized that if she cut through the park, she would be able to shorten the distance that separated her from the vehicle.

  She turned and dashed through the iron gates that marked the entrance to the small green square. Clutching her bonnet, she emerged, breathless, at the opposite gate.

  Mrs. Witty had been right. She could not go on much farther at

  this pace. Juliana's carriage was gaining ground.

  She scanned the street with a sense of growing desperation. A flower cart driven by a youth of about fifteen stood midway down the block. She raced toward it, waving to get the boy's atten-

  tion.

  He glanced at her with a curious expression as she reached the

  cart. "Did ye want to buy some flowers, ma'am?" "No, but I will pay you well if you will take me up and follow that hackney,"

  The boy frowned. "Don't know if me pa would want me doin'

  that, ma'am."

  A will make it worth your while." Charlotte hiked up her skirts and started to climb aboard. "I will purchase every flower on your cart If you will help me." "Well

  "Just think, you will be free for the rest of the day and when You return home this afternoon, your pa will be happy enough when he sees you've sold every bloom."

  The boy still looked dubious. "You'll be want' le

  in every sing flower?"

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  "Yes, indeed." Charlotte sat down and gave the young man an

  encouraging smile. "I love flowers."

  The boy hesitated only a second longer. Then he shrugged. "Me pa always did say the fancy was peculiar."

  He flapped the reins vigorously. Startled, the plump pony bro
ke into a brisk trot. Charlotte strove to catch her breath as the cart jolted forward in pursuit of the hackney.

  Fifteen minutes later the flower cart rounded another corner I H a

  modest neighborhood. Charlotte watched Juliana's carriage corn(,- to

  a halt in front of a small house.

  "This is far enough," Charlotte said. "You need not wait for me.

  I shall find my own way home." " 'Ere, now, what about me flowers?"

  "I have not forgotten." Charlotte collected her skirts and scram-

  bled down from the cart. "I shall give you my direction. Take all the flowers there and inform my housekeeper that I told you she was to

  Purchase every stem." ,,All right, then." The boy eyed her. "Are ye sure ye don't want

  me to wait for ye?" "No. I shall be able to find a hackney." She smiled and rattled off the information he needed to locate her town house. "It is very kind of you to be concerned, but I assure you, I can take care of myself. " "Whatever ye say." The boy clucked at the pony.

  Charlotte waited until the flower cart had clattered off down the street before she walked toward the small house Juliana had entered. Mentally she composed a variety of ways to demand an explanation for the woman's actions. She finally decided that she would be obliged to wait for inspiration until she was inside.

  She went up the steps and banged the knocker. There was si-

  lence and then came the sound of heavy footsteps. A moment later a

  stout-looking housekeeper opened the door. "Yes, ma'am?"

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  -please inform your mistress that I have come to call," Charlotte said firml@'-

  Thc liousekeeper peered at her suspiciously. "Did ye have an appointment-

  An odd question, Charlotte thought. A housekeeper might in-

  quire is to whether or not a caller was expected but the word aplm .Ilownt was used for business visits. Her own clients had appo Itirments.

  ''yes," Charlotte said smoothly. "I do have an appointment." "Bit early," the woman grumbled as she stood back and opened the door. "Miss Post don't usually see her clients until the after-

  noon.

  "She made an exception for me." Charlotte stepped swiftly through the opening before the housekeeper could have second thoughts. "It's rather urgent."

  The housekeeper gave her a quizzical look but did not com-