Lie by Moonlight by Amanda Quick Page A

Concordia blinked. “What possible purpose might you ever have for parasols?”
    “One never knows.”
    “In some quarters such a manner of conducting one’s business would be deemed eccentric, to say the least.”
    “I do not concern myself with those particular quarters.”
    “Obviously.” She sighed. “Very well, I believe that I comprehend how you conduct your business. What sort of favor might you request from a professional teacher?”
    “I have no notion.” Thoroughly annoyed now, he put down his fork and assumed what he hoped was an air of intimidation. “Never worked for a teacher before. I shall have to think upon it for a while. I will let you know when I have decided what would constitute suitable payment. In the meantime, you may consider me hired.”
    Concordia did not appear to notice his intimidating expression.
    “It is settled, then,” she said with cool satisfaction. “Henceforth, you may consider me your employer.”
    “It doesn’t work like that, Concordia.”
    “The logic is quite plain. I have hired you to conduct an investigation. That makes me your employer. Now that the nature of ourassociation has been established, I wish to make it clear that, as your client, I expect to be kept informed and involved in this case.”
    “I do not allow my clients to become involved in my investigations,” he said evenly.
    “I am not one of your usual clients, sir. Indeed, I am already deeply involved in the inquiry. In point of fact, had I not conducted my own investigation at Aldwick Castle, I would never have initiated the escape plan.”
    “I will allow you that much, however—”
    “In addition, you must also admit that I have been able to provide you with some very valuable information concerning Larkin’s scheme.”
    This was not going well.
    “Huh,” he said. As a clever riposte it was somewhat lacking, but he could not come up with anything better.
    “I will take that as an acknowledgment of the fact,” she said. “ Furthermore, as matters progress it may very well transpire that I and my girls will be able to supply you with other details or observations that will prove even more useful to you. Can you deny that?”
    “No.”
    She smiled, looking quite satisfied.
    He raised his brows. “In hindsight, I suppose it should have been obvious to me that one ought never to engage in a debate with a professional educator.”
    She was pleased. “Now that the terms of our relationship have been settled, I suggest that we move on to more important matters.”
    “Such as?” he muttered.
    “Solving the case, of course. What is your next step?”
    He wanted nothing more than to get to his feet, go to her end of the table, haul her up out of her chair and kiss that look of feminine triumph off her face.
    Instead he forced himself to move on to the only subject that seemed to interest her at the moment.
    “You mentioned that you got the post at the castle through an agency operated by a Mrs. Jervis,” he said.
    “That’s right.”
    “Do you happen to know if the ill-fated Miss Bartlett came from the same agency?”
    She looked at him in surprise. “I don’t know. I never considered the matter. Why do you ask?”
    “If you and Bartlett both were employed through the services of Jervis’s agency, it would be an interesting link of sorts.”
    “Good heavens. Never say that you think Mrs. Jervis might be involved in this affair?”
    “I have no idea at the moment but I intend to look into the matter. Do you have the address of the firm?”
    “Yes, of course. But you can hardly walk through the door and start making inquiries about Miss Bartlett or the post at the castle. If Mrs. Jervis is somehow connected to Larkin’s scheme, she will become suspicious and perhaps alert him.”
    “Believe it or not, that possibility has occurred to me.”
    “Naturally.” She wrinkled her nose and reached for the teapot. “Youmust forgive me for trying to tell you how to manage your