River Of Fire Read Free

father's?"
    "Your father and I were acquainted, though not close friends." Without waiting for permission, Bowden resumed his seat. "I came to discuss a matter of business with you."
    Kenneth's face stiffened. "If you are a creditor, there is nothing I can do. The estate is about to go into bankruptcy."
    "I know. The condition of the Wilding finances is common knowledge." Bowden's gaze went around the shabby library. "For that reason, I was able to purchase the outstanding mortgages at a substantial discount. The face value amounts to fifty thousand pounds, and all are overdue." He reached into an inside pocket and removed a sheaf of papers, then laid them on the desk.
    Kenneth scanned the documents. They were quite genuine, including his father's scrawled signature. The end had come even sooner than he had expected. "You made a poor bargain, Bowden."
    Trying to conceal his bitterness, he jerked open a desk drawer and removed the master keys for Sutterton. There were dozens strung on a massive, forged iron ring, jangling together like lengths of chain. "I wish you much joy of your new property. I suggest you consider retaining the servants—the few who are left are nothing if not loyal. My sister and I will leave tomorrow. Though if you insist, I suppose we could be out tonight." He tossed the heavy ring to Bowden.
    Caught by surprise, Bowden reacted too slowly to catch the keys. They bounced from the arm of his chair and crashed discordantly to the floor. He stared at the ring for a moment, then raised his gaze to Kenneth. "I didn't come to evict you. I want to make a proposal."
    Refusing to allow himself to hope, Kenneth said, "Do you mean you're willing to extend the mortgages? Given the state of the property, it will be years before I would be able to pay anything more man the interest."
    "I'm not here to negotiate new terms," Bowden said coolly. "If you can perform a service for me, I will cancel the debt and turn the mortgages over to you."
    Stunned, Kenneth stared at his visitor. It sounded too good to be true, which in his experience meant that it was. "What do you want in return—my immortal soul?"
    "I am not Mephistopheles, and your soul is your own business," Bowden said with a faint smile. "Sutterton can be yours. All you must do in return is destroy a man."
    It
was
too good to be true. Obviously Bowden was mad. Kenneth's mouth twisted as he pushed the mortgage documents back across the desk. "Sorry. I'm a soldier, not an assassin. If you want a crime committed, you must find someone eke."
    Bowden's brows arched fastidiously. "If all I wanted was an assassination, I could find some scoundrel to do the job for a few shillings. What I want is more complicated. A man who is considered above suspicion has committed a great crime. I want to see him unmasked, imprisoned, and executed." A muscle in his cheek jerked. "
I
want to see his precious reputation annihilated so that everyone will know him for the swine he is. I believe you are the man who can do that for me."
    A warning bell sounded in the back of Kenneth's mind. If he had any sense, he'd throw this lunatic out. Yet Bowden held Sutterton's future in his hands. Kenneth owed it to his sister and himself to listen. "Why me? We've never even met."
    "I learned of you from a passing reference made by your father. I was intrigued and made further inquiries. It is unheard of for a young man of noble blood to conceal his rank and enlist in the army as a common soldier. Not only did you survive, but by courage and merit you earned an officer's commission." Bowden's gaze narrowed. "However, there are other brave men. You have two qualities that make you unique."
    "Insanity is one or I wouldn't be listening to this," Kenneth said dryly. "What is the other?"
    Ignoring the interruption, Bowden continued, "You were a reconnaissance officer in Spain , which means you must be ruthless, resourceful, and have the ability to ferret out information. You were known as the Demon