Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"Exactly. And you're missing out on a good deal of profitable business as a result."

"No need to rub it in. Father asks me constantly why I'm not more like you."

"What you need is someone with North American experience to come in, set up a New York office for you, and go after the business."

"That and a fairy godmother."

"I'm serious, Greenbourne. I'm your man."

"You!"

"I want to work for you."

Solly was staggered. He peered over his glasses as if checking that it really was Hugh who had said that. After a moment he said: "It's because of that incident at the duchess of Tenbigh's ball, I suppose."

"They've said they won't make me a partner because of my wife." Solly would sympathize, Hugh thought, because he too had married a lower-class girl.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Solly said.

Hugh said: "But I'm not asking for kindness. I know what I'm worth and you'll have to pay my price if you want me. I'm earning a thousand a year now and I expect it to go up every year as long as I continue to make more and more money for the bank."

"That's no problem." Solly thought for a moment. "This could be a great coup for me, you know. I'm grateful for the offer. You're a good friend and a formidable businessman." Hugh, thinking of Maisie again, felt a guilty pang at the words "good friend." Solly continued: "There's nothing I'd like better than to have you working alongside me."

"I detect an unspoken 'but,'" Hugh said with trepidation in his heart.

Solly shook his owlish head. "No buts, as far as I'm concerned. Of course I can't hire you the way I'd hire a ledger clerk. I'll have to clear it with my father. But you know how it is in the world of banking: profit is an argument that outweighs all others. I don't see Father turning down the prospect of a chunk of the North American market."

Hugh did not want to seem too eager, but he could not help saying: "When will you speak to him?"

"Why not now?" Solly said. He stood up. "I shan't be a minute. Have another glass of sherry." He went out.