Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Hugh sat down. "Thank you," he said. His relief and pleasure were somewhat blighted by the thought that he would never be a partner, but he made an effort to put a good face on it. He would make a good salary, and live comfortably; it was just that he would never be a millionaire--to make that sort of money you had to be a partner.

"When can you start?" Solly said eagerly.

Hugh had not thought of that. "I probably should give ninety days notice."

"Make it less if you can."

"Of course. Solly, this is great. I can't tell you how pleased I am."

"Me too."

Hugh could not think what to say next, so he stood up to go, but Solly said: "Can I make another suggestion?"

"By all means." He sat down again.

"It's about Nora. I hope you won't take offense."

Hugh hesitated. They were old friends, but he really did not want to talk to Solly about his wife. His own feelings were too ambivalent. He was embarrassed about the scene she had made, yet he also felt she had been justified. He felt defensive about her accent, her manners and her low-class background, but he was also proud of her for being so pretty and charming.

However, he could hardly be touchy with the man who had just rescued his career, so he said: "Go ahead."

"As you know, I too married a girl who was ... not used to high society."

Hugh nodded. He knew it perfectly well, but he did not know how Maisie and Solly had coped with the situation, for he had been abroad when they married. They must have handled it well, for Maisie had become one of London's leading society hostesses and if anyone remembered her humble origins they never spoke of it. This was unusual, but not unique: Hugh had heard of two or three celebrated working-class beauties who had been accepted by high society in the past.

Solly went on: "Maisie knows what Nora's going through. She could help her a lot: tell her what to do and say, what mistakes to avoid, where to get gowns and hats, how to manage the butler and the housekeeper, all that. Maisie's always been fond of you, Hugh, so I feel sure she'd be glad to help. And there's no reason Nora shouldn't pull off the trick Maisie did and end up as a pillar of society."

Hugh found himself moved almost to tears. This gesture of support from an old friend touched his heart. "I'll suggest it," he said, speaking rather curtly to hide his feelings. He stood up to go.

"I hope I haven't overstepped the mark," Solly said anxiously as they shook hands.