Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"Don't be ridiculous," Augusta snapped. "Any well-bred young girl would have known exactly what to do. She should have said she felt unwell and sent for her carriage."

Hugh knew this was true and he did not try to deny it. Once again Augusta worried that everyone might calm down and the incident would fizzle out. But Joseph was still angry, and he said to Hugh: "Heaven knows how much damage you've done to the family and the bank tonight."

Hugh colored. "What precisely do you mean?" he said stiffly.

By challenging Joseph to back up the accusation Hugh was making things worse for himself, Augusta thought with satisfaction. He was too young to know that he should shut up and go home at this point.

Joseph grew more angry. "We've certainly lost the Hungarian account, and we'll never again be invited to a royal event."

"I know that perfectly well," Hugh said. "I meant to ask why you said the damage has been done by me."

"Because you brought into the family a woman who doesn't know how to behave!"

Better and better, Augusta thought with malicious glee.

Hugh was bright red now but he spoke with controlled fury. "Let me get this straight. A Pilaster wife must be willing to suffer insult and humiliation at dances rather than do anything to jeopardize a business deal, is that your philosophy?"

Joseph was mightily offended. "You insolent young pup," he raged. "What I'm saying is that by marrying beneath yourself you have disqualified yourself from ever becoming a partner in the bank!"

He said it! Augusta thought jubilantly. He said it!

Hugh was jolted into silence. Unlike Augusta he had not thought ahead, had not worked out the implications of the row. Now the significance of what had happened was sinking in, and she watched his expression change from rage, through anxiety and comprehension, to despair.

She fought to conceal a victorious smile. She had what she wanted: she had won. Later Joseph might regret his pronouncement but it was most unlikely he would withdraw it--he was too proud.

"So that's it," Hugh said at last, and he was looking at Augusta rather than Joseph. To her surprise she saw that he was close to tears. "Very well, Augusta. You win. I don't know how it was done but I've no doubt you provoked this incident somehow." He turned to Joseph. "But you ought to reflect on it, Uncle Joseph. You should think about who genuinely cares about the bank ..." He looked again at Augusta and finished: "And who are its real enemies."

Section 3