Read River Of Fire for Free Online Page B

to seeing you turn them into models of hard work and efficiency."
    "If any of your present servants are irredeemable, I presume I have the right to discharge them and hire new ones."
    "Of course." Rebecca turned and headed to the stairs. "No need for you to see the attics. The servants' quarters are there, and my private workroom. If you wish to speak with me, pull on one of the red bell cords. They ring into my workroom."
    "So that is how your father summoned you," he murmured as he followed her. "Will you respond to me as quickly?"
    For some reason, her face heated. "No," she said brusquely, "so I hope you're resourceful at solving problems on your own."
    Gloomily she led the way downstairs. The captain was going to be every bit as disruptive as she had feared. She hoped he would soon decide that the life of a secretary was not for him.
    Kenneth found it hard to keep his attention on the house tour and Rebecca Seaton's crisp description of his duties. The lady was quite a distraction in herself, with her tart tongue and her penetrating gaze. Equally distracting was the art that was everywhere—paintings, watercolors, etchings, even sculpture. The visual richness left him as dazed as he would be after a daylong French cannonade. Works by Sir Anthony were intermixed with paintings by other masters. No wonder Rebecca had wanted proof that he wasn't a thief. Luckily, she seemed to have accepted his honesty, even if she liked nothing else about him.
    The next stop was on the first floor. She opened the door of a small chamber at the rear of the house. "This is my father's office, though you'll spend more time here than he does. The desk in the corner is yours. As you can see, business has accumulated since Tom Morley left."
    An understatement; the secretary's desk was completely covered with untidy piles of paper. "I see why your father was eager to hire the first available candidate."
    "Actually, Papa turned down the replacement Tom suggested. Said he was an ignorant young puppy."
    "I'm glad to know that Sir Anthony rates me more highly than that," Kenneth said gravely.
    She gave him a sharp glance. Mentally he kicked himself. His job was to be an efficient, unobtrusive secretary. If he didn't learn to hold his tongue, he'd end up on the street and Sutterton would be lost.
    She continued, "Father's solicitor handles major financial affairs, but you will be responsible for correspondence and the household accounts. Ledgers and writing supplies are kept in this cabinet." She took a key from the secretarial desk and opened the cabinet. Kenneth glanced at a ledger. It was similar to an army captain's company accounts. He'd manage well enough.
    Rebecca handed him the key and turned to go. He locked the cabinet and started to follow, then stopped when he saw the portrait above Sir Anthony's desk. A striking woman of mature years was posed in front of a misty landscape, her gaze mischievous and her red hair tumbling over her shoulders.
    He glanced at his guide, then back to the painting. The woman looked like a wanton, sensual Rebecca Seaton. It had to be the late Lady Seaton, and Kenneth was willing to swear that Sir Anthony had painted the picture with love. Could the caring visible in every stroke really have turned to murderous hatred?
    Rebecca looked back to see why he wasn't following. Thinking it was time to start gathering information, he said quietly, "Surely this must be your mother."
    Her fingers whitened on the doorknob as she nodded. "It was done at Ravensbeck, our house in the Lake District."
    Even more quietly, he said, "I've heard no mention of Lady Seaton. I gather she is dead."
    Rebecca looked away and said tightly, "Last August."
    "I'm sorry." He studied the painting. "What happened—some sudden disease? She seems so vital. So alive."
    "It was an accident," Rebecca said harshly. "A horrible, stupid accident." She pivoted and went out the door. "I'll take you down to meet the servants now."
    He followed, wondering