Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Hugh frowned. His instinct had been right: the investment did not make commercial sense, and Joseph could not justify it. So why had they done it? As soon as he put the question to himself that way he saw the answer. "You've done this because it's Edward, haven't you? You want to encourage him, and this is the first deal he has come up with since you made him a partner, so you're letting him do it, even though it's a poor prospect."

"It's not your place to question my motives!"

"It's not your place to risk other people's money as a favor to your son. Small investors in Brighton and Harrogate will put up the money for this railroad, and they will lose everything if it fails."

"You're not a partner, so your opinion oil these matters is not sought."

Hugh hated people to shift their ground during a discussion and he responded waspishly. "I'm a Pilaster, though, and when you damage the good name of the bank you injure me."

Samuel cut in: "I think you've probably said enough, Hugh--"

Hugh knew he should shut up but he could not restrain himself. "I'm afraid I haven't said enough." He heard himself shouting and tried to lower his voice. "You're dissipating the bank's reputation by doing this. Our good name is our greatest asset. To use it up in this way is like spending your capital."

Uncle Joseph was now beyond civility. "Don't you dare stand here in my bank and lecture me on the principles of investment, you insolent young whippersnapper. Get out of this room."

Hugh stared at his uncle for a long moment. He was furious and depressed. Foolish, weak Edward was a partner, and leading the bank into bad business deals with the help of his injudicious father, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Boiling with frustration, Hugh turned and left the room, slamming the door.

Ten minutes later he went to ask Solly Greenbourne for a job.

He was not certain Greenbournes would take him on. He was an asset that any bank would covet, because of his contacts in the United States and Canada, but bankers felt it was not quite gentlemanly to pirate top managers from their rivals. In addition, the Greenbournes might fear that Hugh would tell secrets to his family at the dinner table, and the fact that he was not Jewish could only increase that fear.

However, Pilasters had become a dead-end street for him. He had to get out.