Read Online River Of Fire by Mary Jo Putney - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mary Jo Putney
Tags: Demonoid Upload 2
Ads: Link
occasional petulance, made him seem much younger than the two years that actually separated the brothers. "I've not made as much progress as I would like," he said as he took a seat. "This will be a slow investigation."
Briefly he explained about the lack of long-term servants, and how much of his time had been taken in dealing with Sir Anthony's accumulated work. Then he described how he intended to proceed. He ended by saying, "Sir Anthony keeps detailed daybooks that could reveal a great deal about the critical time period. Unfortunately, I've learned that the relevant volume was left at his country house in the confusion after Lady Seaton's death. I won't get to see it unless I'm still part of the household this summer, when Sir Anthony retires to the country again. Given the difficulties of this investigation, it may come to that."
Bowden listened with a frown. "I had hoped you would have results before then."
"A certain amount of progress is being made, though it isn't of an obvious sort. I'm becoming familiar to Sir Anthony's friends. Soon I can start to question them about the past. Also, I want to speak with the previous secretary, Morley."
"That will be simple." Bowden reached into his desk for a pen and wrote down a name and address. "He is now secretary to a member of Parliament, a friend of mine."
Kenneth gave a nod as he accepted the paper. "You arranged that? I suspected it was no accident that the position in Sir Anthony's house became available when it did."
"I learned that Morley has political ambitions. It was simple to see that he was offered a situation that would further them." Bowden leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "Granted you haven't had the time to find real evidence, but what are your impressions so far?"
Kenneth spent a moment marshaling his thoughts. "Lady Seaton's death is like an open wound that is felt but never acknowledged. Sir Anthony hasn't once mentioned his wife, yet sometimes he stares at the portrait of her that hangs in his study. His daughter can barely endure talking about her mother's death. I wish I could read their thoughts, but I can't." Kenneth gave Bowden a quizzical glance. "Is Lady Claxton the mistress whom he was rumored to want to marry? Certainly they are involved, but the affair seems casual."
"Lavinia Claxton?" Bowden snorted. "I suppose that was to be expected. She spreads her favors rather widely. It was for someone else's sake that Anthony murdered Helen, but I was unable to learn the woman's identity. In his way, he is discreet."
Kenneth frowned as he thought about that. If Sir Anthony loved another woman enough to kill for her, it seemed odd that he would be carrying on with Lavinia rather than his prior mistress. He wondered what had ended the earlier affair.
That is, if there really
was
a significant earlier affair. He felt as if he were chasing shadows.
Bowden said unexpectedly, "What is my niece like?"
Kenneth found himself reluctant to discuss Rebecca. "I scarcely see Miss Seaton except at dinner. She's rather quiet and spends all her time in her studio. Did you know she's a gifted painter?"
The other man's brows arched. "I had no idea. Perhaps that explains her immorality. Artists seem to feel that the laws of God and man don't apply to them."
Kenneth found that he had to clamp down on his temper. "Miss Seaton may have made a foolish mistake when she was young, but I've heard no rumors about misbehavior since."
"Try harder," Bowden said coolly. "I'm sure the rumors will be there. I hope the next time you will have more to report."
Disliking the pressure, Kenneth said, "It's a mistake to insist on weekly reports. You will become frustrated at the apparent lack of progress, and it does me no good to feel that you are looking over my shoulder."
Bowden's face clouded. After a long silence he said reluctantly, "Perhaps you are right, but I must insist that we meet at least once a month."
"Very well, but future meetings shouldn't
Briefly he explained about the lack of long-term servants, and how much of his time had been taken in dealing with Sir Anthony's accumulated work. Then he described how he intended to proceed. He ended by saying, "Sir Anthony keeps detailed daybooks that could reveal a great deal about the critical time period. Unfortunately, I've learned that the relevant volume was left at his country house in the confusion after Lady Seaton's death. I won't get to see it unless I'm still part of the household this summer, when Sir Anthony retires to the country again. Given the difficulties of this investigation, it may come to that."
Bowden listened with a frown. "I had hoped you would have results before then."
"A certain amount of progress is being made, though it isn't of an obvious sort. I'm becoming familiar to Sir Anthony's friends. Soon I can start to question them about the past. Also, I want to speak with the previous secretary, Morley."
"That will be simple." Bowden reached into his desk for a pen and wrote down a name and address. "He is now secretary to a member of Parliament, a friend of mine."
Kenneth gave a nod as he accepted the paper. "You arranged that? I suspected it was no accident that the position in Sir Anthony's house became available when it did."
"I learned that Morley has political ambitions. It was simple to see that he was offered a situation that would further them." Bowden leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "Granted you haven't had the time to find real evidence, but what are your impressions so far?"
Kenneth spent a moment marshaling his thoughts. "Lady Seaton's death is like an open wound that is felt but never acknowledged. Sir Anthony hasn't once mentioned his wife, yet sometimes he stares at the portrait of her that hangs in his study. His daughter can barely endure talking about her mother's death. I wish I could read their thoughts, but I can't." Kenneth gave Bowden a quizzical glance. "Is Lady Claxton the mistress whom he was rumored to want to marry? Certainly they are involved, but the affair seems casual."
"Lavinia Claxton?" Bowden snorted. "I suppose that was to be expected. She spreads her favors rather widely. It was for someone else's sake that Anthony murdered Helen, but I was unable to learn the woman's identity. In his way, he is discreet."
Kenneth frowned as he thought about that. If Sir Anthony loved another woman enough to kill for her, it seemed odd that he would be carrying on with Lavinia rather than his prior mistress. He wondered what had ended the earlier affair.
That is, if there really
was
a significant earlier affair. He felt as if he were chasing shadows.
Bowden said unexpectedly, "What is my niece like?"
Kenneth found himself reluctant to discuss Rebecca. "I scarcely see Miss Seaton except at dinner. She's rather quiet and spends all her time in her studio. Did you know she's a gifted painter?"
The other man's brows arched. "I had no idea. Perhaps that explains her immorality. Artists seem to feel that the laws of God and man don't apply to them."
Kenneth found that he had to clamp down on his temper. "Miss Seaton may have made a foolish mistake when she was young, but I've heard no rumors about misbehavior since."
"Try harder," Bowden said coolly. "I'm sure the rumors will be there. I hope the next time you will have more to report."
Disliking the pressure, Kenneth said, "It's a mistake to insist on weekly reports. You will become frustrated at the apparent lack of progress, and it does me no good to feel that you are looking over my shoulder."
Bowden's face clouded. After a long silence he said reluctantly, "Perhaps you are right, but I must insist that we meet at least once a month."
"Very well, but future meetings shouldn't
Similar Books
