Lie by Moonlight by Amanda Quick Page A

interests of my girls to do so. However, I would prefer that we establish a clear understanding of our arrangements. Hiring you would seem to be the most straightforward way to accomplish that.”
    He propped his elbows on the arms of the chair and put his fingertips together. He wanted to take her to bed and she wanted to do business with him. Matters between them were not proceeding along optimistic lines.
    â€œI see,” he said neutrally. Always a safe response, he assured himself.
    â€œExcellent.” She smiled, evidently taking his comment for agreement. “Now then, what is your customary fee? I believe that a number of the items I removed from the castle are somewhat valuable. There is a rather nice silver and crystal salt cellar that is surely worth several pounds.”
    â€œYou mean to pay me in stolen goods, Miss Glade?”
    She flushed but her eyes remained steady. “I’m afraid I do not have any money. And, under the circumstances, I am highly unlikely to receive my quarterly wages for my work at the castle.”
    â€œYes, I think that is a safe assumption.”
    Her chin came up. “If you feel that you cannot accept what you term ‘stolen goods’ in exchange for your services, sir, then I shall have to consider other alternatives.”
    â€œYou have no other alternatives, Miss Glade. And I think you know that as well as I do.”
    She took a deep breath. “Nevertheless—”
    â€œNevertheless, you want to hire me so that you will feel that you are in control of this situation.”
    â€œThat is putting it somewhat crudely, but yes, I suppose that is an accurate statement.”
    â€œVery well, Miss Glade, if you insist upon paying me, I hereby officially accept your business. Now then, about my fee. You should know that I do not charge money for my services.”
    â€œI don’t understand, sir.”
    â€œI deal in favors.”
    She stiffened. “Favors?”
    â€œMost of my clients cannot afford to pay me in hard coin of the realm, Miss Glade. So I long ago established a system of barter. It works in this manner. I perform the services required to obtain the answers my clients want. In turn, they agree to repay me at some future date, should I ever happen to need a favor that they are in a position to grant.”
    â€œWhat sort of favors do you generally request?” she asked coldly.
    â€œIt varies. Sometimes I need information. Sometimes goods and services. For example, a few years ago I was hired by a housekeeper in a wealthy household. She wanted me to find answers to some questions she had concerning her employer’s private activities. After I conducted an investigation and confirmed her fear that her employer was, indeed, a member of a rather nasty club, she determined that she could not continue on in her position. I asked her if she would consider a new post in this household. She and her husband, who happened to be a skilled gardener and very good with tools, accepted positions here.”
    â€œThat is how you obtained the services of Mr. and Mrs. Oates?”
    He nodded. “Nan, the maid, came with them. She is Mrs. Oates’s cousin. It has worked out well.”
    She cleared her throat discreetly. “You say that you, personally, hired Mr. and Mrs. Oates and Nan? Mr. Stoner was not involved in that decision?”
    â€œStoner had no objections, and as it happened, we were in need of new staff.”
    â€œIt strikes me as a trifle odd that the master of the house left something as important as the hiring of the staff in someone else’s hands.”
    â€œStoner is more interested in his scholarly research, his writing and his travels, than he is in the management of this household.”
    â€œHow often is Mr. Stoner in residence?”
    â€œHe comes and goes at his own whim.”
    â€œHow convenient for you,” she said dryly. “It would appear that you are able to enjoy all of