River Of Fire Read Free Page B

revenge."
    Bowden's eyes flashed. "Do you think I am so petty? I was furious at the betrayal and never spoke to either of them again. Yet even though I could not forgive, I could understand how it happened. Helen was enough to tempt any man, and Anthony was a dashing, romantic young artist. Society eventually accepted their misconduct and called it a great love match."
    He stopped speaking. When the silence had gone on too long, Kenneth prompted, "You spoke of murder."
    Bowden resumed in a clipped voice. "Helen died last summer at their house in the Lake District . It was called an accident, but I know better. For years, there had been talk of Anthony's affairs. The knowledge must have been shattering to a woman of Helen's refinement. At the time of her death, it was rumored that Anthony had tired of Helen and wanted to marry his current mistress. He always was a selfish devil." Bowden leaned forward, his gaze fierce. "I believe that he either murdered Helen himself or made her so wretched that she took her own life. That would make him as responsible for her death as if she died by his hand."
    Driving a woman to suicide might be the moral equivalent of murder, but the law would take a different view. Kenneth said bluntly, "You want to believe the worst of your brother, but apparently everyone else thought Lady Seaton's death was an accident. Perhaps it was."
    Bowden snorted. "Healthy women don't walk over cliffs when the weather is fair and they know the country intimately. One thing the Bow Street Runner did learn was that after her fall there were signs of struggle at the top of the cliff. But because my brother is 'above suspicion,' it did not occur to anyone to accuse him."
    This was a bad business. Yet if Bowden was mad, it was an ice-cold, controlled mania. "Perhaps you're right and Seaton did murder his wife," Kenneth said slowly. "Yet given how she died, the best investigation in the world may be unable to prove conclusively what happened."
    "I understand," Bowden said, his eyes flat as slate. "But I will not rest until her death has been thoroughly investigated. I sought you out because I think you have the best chance of accomplishing the task. If you will give your word as an officer and a gentleman to use your best efforts to determine the circumstances of Helen's death, I will cancel the mortgages when you are finished. If you provide conclusive evidence of Anthony's guilt, I will give you a bonus of five thousand pounds to help you put your estate on its feet again."
    It was an incredible offer. Miraculous, in fact. Kenneth set down his empty brandy glass and got to his feet, moving tensely around the library. Bowden's proposal was mad and bordered on the illegal. If Kenneth had any sense, he would show Bowden the door. Yet he had never lived life sensibly.
    If he accepted, Sutterton would be saved. Beth could have the life she deserved, with a Season in London and a dowry if she wished to marry. The estate would become profitable and the servants and laborers provided for after years of neglect.
    As for himself…
    He stopped by the fireplace and ran his palm over the exquisitely carved mantelpiece. As a child, he had imagined stories about the oaken figures.
    Sutterton would give meaning to his life. In muddy billets and baking Spanish heat, before battles and during shivering winter nights, he had dreamed of what he would do when the house came to him. He had made elaborate plans for modernizing the drafty old building without destroying its Tudor character. If he agreed to Bowden's proposition, someday he would be able to realize those dreams.
    And who would be injured? If Sir Anthony was guilty, he deserved to be punished even if he was the finest painter in England . If he was clearly innocent, perhaps the truth would relieve Lord Bowden's anguished obsession. And if nothing could be proved either way—Kenneth would still save Sutterton.
    He felt a superstitious prickle at his nape when he remembered that