Kingdom of Shadows by Barbara Erskine

Author:Barbara Erskine [Erskine, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Fiction, Historical
ISBN: 9780007288663
Google: bROJAIufTaMC
Amazon: 0753114607
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Published: 2009-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Both men were late for their appointment. Paul arrived first and ordered himself a large whisky. He was already sweating.

Rex stood for a moment in the doorway of the smoking room at the club, staring at him as he waited to hand over his immaculate camelhair coat. Paul did not look up.

They did not make small talk. Ordering himself a Perrier with lemon and ice Rex stared pointedly at Paul’s glass, already nearly empty, and waited for him to speak first.

Paul took a deep breath. ‘How much time do I have to complete the deal?’

‘None.’ Rex’s voice was flat. ‘Sigma have withdrawn their offer.’

Paul went white. His fingers closed convulsively around the glass. ‘You can’t do that!’ He shut his eyes, not wanting to see the handsome cold face opposite him. ‘You’ve made a legal offer.’

‘Which your wife turned down.’

‘Well, she’s changed her mind, and I have her power of attorney.’ Paul looked him straight in the eye.

‘Indeed.’ Rex met his gaze evenly. ‘Well, it may be that we can do business if you still want to sell.’ He paused. He had recognised Paul’s panic, seen the desperation, and he knew enough about his man now to gauge the situation to a tee. Paul Royland was sweating, in every sense of the word.

He smiled coldly. ‘Only this time the price has come down. If you can deal within two weeks, I’ll take the land myself, at agricultural value, which is all it’s worth. There will be no drilling now. Oil prices have dropped too far to make even on-shore exploration viable.’

‘That’s not true.’ Paul stood up. ‘The OPEC agreement –’

‘Means nothing, Mr Royland. Sit down, man. The whole goddam room is looking at you.’ Rex pushed his own chair back from the low table uncomfortably. He reached into his inside pocket as Paul sat down again. ‘I have the valuation of the Duncairn estates here which Mitchison had drawn up for me. Now, I am prepared to offer more than that – to cover the value of the hotel and the ruin –’ he paused, trying to conceal his excitement. ‘It is less than Sigma were prepared to offer, but I am willing to split the difference. That is my figure.’ He pushed the piece of paper over towards Paul. ‘And that is final. It will cover your debts.’ His hands had begun to shake. Firmly he picked up his glass of Perrier and raised it to his lips.

Paul was staring down at the document. Abruptly he looked up. ‘What do you know about my debts?’ His face was white with anger. It wouldn’t cover them, not by a long way. But it would help.

‘Enough. Shall we say I know enough about them and your business methods to spoil your cosy reputation in the City.’ Rex met his gaze coldly. ‘If you accept my offer there would of course be no need for me to say a word to a soul.’ He smiled. ‘So, do we have a deal?’

Paul’s hands were shaking visibly.

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