Lie by Moonlight by Amanda Quick Page B

professional affairs, sir. It is the teacher in me, I suppose. I cannot resist the opportunity to instruct.”
    He startled himself with a laugh. “You did not offend me.”
    “How will you proceed, if I may ask?”
    “I will start by examining Jervis’s files.”
    “She is highly unlikely to allow you to go through her files.”
    “I do not intend to ask her permission.”
    Concordia’s cup paused in midair. “You are going to break into her office when she is not there?”
    “I think that would be the most efficient approach. But I believe I will wait until tomorrow night. This evening I intend to speak with an acquaintance who has some knowledge of Larkin. In addition, it looks as though it is going to rain for most of the day.”
    She stared at him. “What on earth does the weather have to do with it?”
    He shrugged. “I prefer not to conduct that sort of business on wet nights if it can be avoided. Too much danger of accidentally leaving a footprint behind.”
    “I see.” She looked a little dazed. “Well, regardless of the weather, your scheme sounds risky, sir. What if you are caught?”
    He raised a finger. “Ah, now that is the truly cunning aspect of my plan. I do not intend to get arrested.”
    A disapproving frown tightened her brows. “You appear to have some expertise in this sort of thing.”
    “Such skills are useful in my line.”
    “I confess, I find you something of a mystery, sir.”
    “We are even in that case, Miss Glade. Because you are a great enigma to me. Speaking of interesting questions, you mentioned that you took the post at the castle because you had recently been dismissed from one at a girls’ school.”
    Her jaw tensed but her voice remained very cool and even. “That is correct. I was told there would be no reference.”
    “Why were you let go?”
    She put down a slice of toast and gave him a considering look. “I cannot see how knowing the reasons for my dismissal would be of any help in this matter, sir.”
    He inclined his head in understanding. “There was a man involved, then.”
    She crushed the napkin in her lap, anger leaping into her eyes. “Of course you would leap to such a conclusion. It is a common enough tale, is it not? It takes so little to shred a woman’s reputation, even less to ruin a teacher. Rumors of a love affair, being caught in a compromising position, or even a small indiscretion, and one discovers that one’s career has been destroyed.”
    “Forgive me, I did not mean to dredge up unhappy memories.”
    “Rubbish. That is exactly what you meant to do, sir. You no doubt assumed that if you made me lose my temper, I would tell you what you wish to know. Well, you have succeeded. For your information, my situation did not involve an illicit love affair with a man.”
    “A woman, perhaps?”
    She stared at him, nonplussed. Then she broke into light, lilting laughter.
    It was the first time he had heard her laugh. He was enthralled.
    Hastily she clapped her napkin over her mouth. “Forgive me,” she mumbled into the linen.
    He pushed his empty dish aside and folded his arms on the table. “You find my question humorous?”
    “Not the question.” She recovered her poise and lowered the napkin. “It was the remarkably casual way you asked it that caught me unawares. There are very few gentlemen who could have voiced the suggestion of the possibility of a love affair between two women with such an air of . . .” She paused. “Shall we say, equanimity?”
    “I have been out in the world a very long time, Miss Glade. I am well aware that for some, love and passion do not always follow the traditional path. I cannot help but observe that you were not the least bit shocked by my question, merely amused.”
    She made an offhand gesture and selected another slice of toast. “I was raised in what most would call a highly unconventional manner.”
    “So was I.”
    She gave him a long, considering look. He got the feeling that he was