Read Quick, Amanda - Slightly Shady.txt for Free Online Page B

you conducted several lengthy, one-sided, mostly incoherent conversations with Mrs. Lake. Since your return to England, you have found a reason to mention her name at least once a day I would say that borders on obsessed."
    "I was obliged to spend nearly a month trailing around behind the wretched woman in Rome, watching her every move.,, Tobias gripped the carved edge of his desk. ,You try following a female around for such an extended period, keeping track of every person she greets on the street, every shopping expedition. And all the while wondering if she consorts with cutthroats or if she herself is in danger of having her throat slit. I assure you, that sort of thing takes its toll on a man." "As I said, you developed an obsession." " 'Obsession' is far too strong a term." Tobias absently rubbed his left thigh. "She leaves an indelible impression, however, I'll grant you that much." "Evidently." Anthony propped his right ankle on his left knee and carefully adjusted the pleats of his stylish trousers. "Is your leg aching badly today?" "It's raining outside, in case you haveift noticed. It is always more uncomfortable when the weather turns damp." "There is no need to snap at me, Tobias." Anthony grinned. "Save your temper for the lady who inspires it. If the two of you do form a partnership to find the diary, I expect you will have ample occasion to vent your ill humors on her." "The very thought of a partnership with Mrs. Lake is enough to send chills down a maifs spine." He paused at the sound of a brisk knock on the door of the study. "Yes, Whitby, what is it?" The door opened to reveal the short, dapper figure of the man who served as his faithful butler, cook, housekeeper, and, when necessary, doctor. In spite of the occasionally precarious state of the household's income, Whitby always managed to appear elegant. Between Whitby and Anthony, Tobias usually felt at a grave disadvantage when it came to matters of masculine fashion and style.
    "Lord Neville is here to see you, sir," Whitby said in the ominously weighted tones he employed whenever called upon to announce persons of high rank. Tobias knew that Whitby did not actually consider such beings to be superior by virtue of their social status; rather, he reveled in the opportunity to indulge his personal flair for melodrama. Whitby had missed his calling when he had failed to become an actor. "Send him in, Whitby" Whitby vanished from the doorway Anthony uncoiled slowly from his chair and got to his feet. "Bloody hell," Tobias said very softly "I dislike having to deliver bad news to clients. It never fails to annoy them. One never knows when they will decide to stop paying one's fee." "It is not as though Neville has a great deal of choice," Anthony said just as quietly. "There is no one else to whom he can turn." A tall, heavily built man in his late forties strode into the room, not bothering to conceal his impatience. Neville's wealth and aristocratic lineage were evident in everything about him, from his hawklike features and the way he carried himself to his expensively cut coat and gleaming boots. "Good day to you, sir. I did not expect you so early" Tobias straightened and waved a hand in the general direction of a chair. "Please, sit down." Neville did not respond to the formalities. He searched Tobias's face, his eyes narrowed and intent. "Well, March? I got your message. What the devil happened last night? Any trace of the diary?" "Unfortunately, it was gone by the time I arrived," Tobias said. The tight twist of Neville's lips made his disgruntled reaction to the news blazingly clear. "Damnation." He stripped off a glove. The black stone in the heavy gold ring on his right hand glittered when he shoved his fingers through his hair. " I had hoped to have this matter resolved quickly." "I did turn up some useful clues," Tobias continued, striving to project an image of professional expertise and confidence. "I expect to locate it in the near future."