Affair by Amanda Quick Page B
Authors: Amanda Quick
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Detective and Mystery Stories, Mystery Fiction, Love Stories, Large Type Books, London (England)
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But she could not help wondering now
just what she had missed never having known the thrill of passion.
The sense of wistfulness startled her. She was not lonely. She took great satisfaction in her work. She had her independence. What
, 0/(
I
-@19
81
more could she truly want? Perhaps she had, indeed, been reading
much poetry lately, she thought. Never-huless, she did not want Ariel to follow precisely the same path. The business was important and Ariel was keenly interested In it. But Charlotte did not want her sister to sacrifice everything to it, as she had done. There was no longer such a
pressing need. They had sufficient income to keep them in com-
fortable, if not luxurious, circumstances. If her plans to attract
clients from the Polite World proved successful, a bit of luxury would even be possible.
She would give a great deal to ensure that Ariel had an opportunity to experience some of the innocent pleasures of young wom-
anhood. Such pleasures should have been part of her inheritance. Those advanced years that Honoria had mentioned came all too quickly.
With the ease of long habit, Charlotte pushed aside the intrusive thoughts. She forced herself to concentrate on her client.
"A sensible, intelligent woman must be cautious in a situation such as this, Miss Patterson," she said briskly. "After all, it is not as though I am a beauty," Honoria said in the practical tone of a woman who has long since accepted the facts of life.
Nor am I, Charlotte thought with a fresh twinge of unease. Last night Baxter's passion had clearly been induced by the excitement they had shared. She had to be prepared for the possibility that he lould no longer find her so alluring now that the stimulating effIcts of danger had dissipated. . "And what with this recent inheritance from my cousin," Honoria continued, "well, I'm sure you comprehend why I felt the need to make inquiries into Mr. Adams's background."
A understand." I never expected to marry. Indeed, I had convinced myself that was quite content with my life now that I am financially indepen-
82
Amanda Quick
dent. But Mr. Adams came along and suddenly I saw other pos-
sibilities. We share a great many interests." "I'm delighted for you."
This was not the first time that one of Charlotte's clients had become excessively talkative after receiving good news. Initially, the
ladies who sought out her services tended to be tight-lipped and extremely reticent. They were invariably stiff with tension when
they first sat down in the chair on the other side of the desk.
Teacups rattled against saucers. Gloved hands fluttered anxiously. Expressions were solemn.
When the news was bad, tears usually flowed. Charlotte kept a
pile of linen handkerchiefs in one of her desk drawers for such
unhappy occasions.
A favorable report, however, frequently induced a mild eupho-
ria. It made some clients want to chatter endlessly about the re-
cently verified virtues of their suitors.
Generally speaking, Charlotte simply listened and made encouraging noises. Satisfied clients made excellent, very discreet references. She could afford to be generous with her time during the final
interview.
But this afternoon, Charlotte had an inexplicable urge to do the
talking. "I am happy for you, Miss Patterson. And pleased that I
was able to confirm your good opinion of Mr. Adams, But you must
realize that there is always some risk for a lady when it comes to marriage."
Honoria gave her a quizzical look. "Risk?" "I have done my best to make certain that Mr. Adams is not a
drunkard. He is not given to outrageous wagers. He does not fre-
quent brothels. He has a reliable income and he appears to possess a
stable, calm temperament."
Honoria glowed . All in all, a wonderful gentleman." "Yes. But you do realize that I cannot absolutely guarantee that
Mr. Adams will remain such a model of masculine perfection after
the wedding."
83
"I beg your pardon?" Charlotte leaned
just what she had missed never having known the thrill of passion.
The sense of wistfulness startled her. She was not lonely. She took great satisfaction in her work. She had her independence. What
, 0/(
I
-@19
81
more could she truly want? Perhaps she had, indeed, been reading
much poetry lately, she thought. Never-huless, she did not want Ariel to follow precisely the same path. The business was important and Ariel was keenly interested In it. But Charlotte did not want her sister to sacrifice everything to it, as she had done. There was no longer such a
pressing need. They had sufficient income to keep them in com-
fortable, if not luxurious, circumstances. If her plans to attract
clients from the Polite World proved successful, a bit of luxury would even be possible.
She would give a great deal to ensure that Ariel had an opportunity to experience some of the innocent pleasures of young wom-
anhood. Such pleasures should have been part of her inheritance. Those advanced years that Honoria had mentioned came all too quickly.
With the ease of long habit, Charlotte pushed aside the intrusive thoughts. She forced herself to concentrate on her client.
"A sensible, intelligent woman must be cautious in a situation such as this, Miss Patterson," she said briskly. "After all, it is not as though I am a beauty," Honoria said in the practical tone of a woman who has long since accepted the facts of life.
Nor am I, Charlotte thought with a fresh twinge of unease. Last night Baxter's passion had clearly been induced by the excitement they had shared. She had to be prepared for the possibility that he lould no longer find her so alluring now that the stimulating effIcts of danger had dissipated. . "And what with this recent inheritance from my cousin," Honoria continued, "well, I'm sure you comprehend why I felt the need to make inquiries into Mr. Adams's background."
A understand." I never expected to marry. Indeed, I had convinced myself that was quite content with my life now that I am financially indepen-
82
Amanda Quick
dent. But Mr. Adams came along and suddenly I saw other pos-
sibilities. We share a great many interests." "I'm delighted for you."
This was not the first time that one of Charlotte's clients had become excessively talkative after receiving good news. Initially, the
ladies who sought out her services tended to be tight-lipped and extremely reticent. They were invariably stiff with tension when
they first sat down in the chair on the other side of the desk.
Teacups rattled against saucers. Gloved hands fluttered anxiously. Expressions were solemn.
When the news was bad, tears usually flowed. Charlotte kept a
pile of linen handkerchiefs in one of her desk drawers for such
unhappy occasions.
A favorable report, however, frequently induced a mild eupho-
ria. It made some clients want to chatter endlessly about the re-
cently verified virtues of their suitors.
Generally speaking, Charlotte simply listened and made encouraging noises. Satisfied clients made excellent, very discreet references. She could afford to be generous with her time during the final
interview.
But this afternoon, Charlotte had an inexplicable urge to do the
talking. "I am happy for you, Miss Patterson. And pleased that I
was able to confirm your good opinion of Mr. Adams, But you must
realize that there is always some risk for a lady when it comes to marriage."
Honoria gave her a quizzical look. "Risk?" "I have done my best to make certain that Mr. Adams is not a
drunkard. He is not given to outrageous wagers. He does not fre-
quent brothels. He has a reliable income and he appears to possess a
stable, calm temperament."
Honoria glowed . All in all, a wonderful gentleman." "Yes. But you do realize that I cannot absolutely guarantee that
Mr. Adams will remain such a model of masculine perfection after
the wedding."
83
"I beg your pardon?" Charlotte leaned
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