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he had never enjoyed. A world that did not begin to
    comprehend him. A world that he found excruciatingly superficial and insipid. A world in Which he had
    never felt at home.
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    __!@D
    Amanda Quick
    Baxter schooled his thoughts and forced himself to reason
    swiftly.Charlotte had plainly dismissed him as a possible man-of-affairs. A new approach was required
    if he was to convince her to
    employ him. "Miss Arkendale, there seems to be some discrepancy between your view of my nature and
    the views of virtually everyone else in
    the world. May I suggest we resolve the matter by conducting an experiment?"
    She went very still. "What sort of experiment?" "I recommend that you summon the members of your
    household and ask them for their opinions. If the consensus is that I can
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    successfully go about my duties unnoticed and unremarked, you will employ me. If they concur with your
    views, I shall take my leave and look elsewhere for a post."
    She hesitated, clearly dubious. Then she gave a quick, decisive nod. "Very well, sit. That seems quite
    logical. We shall conduct the experiment at once. I shall summon my sister and housekeeper. They are
    both extremely observant."
    She reached for the velvet bell pull that hung beside the fireplace and gave it a strong tug. "You agree to
    abide by the results of this test?" he asked warily. "You have my word on it, sit." She smiled with
    ill-concealed triumph. "We shall settle the matter at once."
    Footsteps sounded in the hall. Baxter adjusted his eyeglasses and sat back in his chair to await the
    outcome of the experiment.
    He was certain that he could safely predict the results. He knew his strong points better than anyone
    else. No one could top him when it came to appearing as bland and uninteresting as a potato pudding.
    @Twenty minutes later, Baxter went down the steps of the Arkendale town house with a sense of quiet
    exultation. He noted
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    that the crisp March breeze, which had been decidedly chilly an
    hour earlier, now felt fresh and invigorating,
    There was nothing quite like a properly conducted scientific experiment to settle things, he thought as he
    hailed a passing hackney. it had not been easy but he had finally secured his new post. As he had
    anticipated, Charlotte Arkendale was the only person in the small household, indeed, very likely the only
    person in the whole ofLondon , who would ever notice him in a crowd.
    He was not sure what her peculiar notions concerning his nature
    said about her except that they definitely verified John Marcle's opinion.Charlotte was a very unique sort
    of female.
    Not at all what one would expect in the way of a blackmailer and murderess, Baxter thought.

    "I do not know why you are fretting so, Charlotte." ArIel paused to examine a tray of eggs arranged on
    the sideboard. "Mr. St. Ives appears to be just what you wanted. A man-of-affairs who will not draw
    attention to himself when he goes about his duties. He also seems to be in excellent physical condition.
    Not so tall as one
    might wish, but quite broad and solid looking about the shoulders. I think that he will serve nicely as a
    bodyguard should such a
    necessity arise. "I thought him sufficiently tall."Charlotte wondered morosely why she felt compelled to
    defend Baxter's stature. Why did she care
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    if her sister thought him less than perfect in height? "I had to look
    up to meet his eyes. 11
    Ariel grinned. "That is because you are a trifle short. In a most
    attractive fashion, of course."
    Charlottegrimaced. "Of course." "In truth, Mr. St. Ives is not more than an inch above my own height. "
    "You are very tall for a woman." And graceful and willowy and very, very lovely,Charlotte thought with a
    rush of sisterly pride. Perhaps it was more in the nature of maternal pride. After all, she
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    rerninded