Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"AND HOW IS dear Rachel?" Augusta asked Micky as she poured tea.

"She's fine," Micky said. "She may come along later."

In fact he did not quite understand his wife. She had been a virgin when they married, but she acted like a whore. She submitted to him at any time, anywhere, and always with enthusiasm. One of the first things he had tried was tying her to the bedhead, to re-create the vision he had enjoyed when he first became attracted to her; and somewhat to his disappointment she had complied willingly. So far nothing he was able to do had succeeded in making her resist him. He had even taken her in the drawing room, where there was a constant risk that the servants would see; and she had seemed to enjoy it more than ever.

On the other hand, she was the opposite of submissive in every other area of life. She argued with him about the house, the servants, money, politics and religion. When he got fed up with contradicting her he tried ignoring her, then insulting her, but nothing made any difference. She suffered from the delusion that she had as much right to her point of view as a man.

"I hope she's a help to you in your work," Augusta said.

Micky nodded. "She's a good hostess at ministry functions," he said. "Attentive and gracious."

"I thought she did very well at the party you gave for Ambassador Portillo," Augusta said. Portillo was the Portuguese envoy and Augusta and Joseph had attended the dinner.

"She has a stupid plan to open a maternity hospital for women without husbands," Micky said, allowing his irritation to show.

Augusta shook her head in disapproval. "It's impossible for a woman in her position in society. Besides, there are already one or two such hospitals."

"She says they're all religious institutions that tell women how wicked they are. Her place will help without preaching."

"Worse and worse," Augusta said. "Think what the press would say about that!"

"Exactly. I've been very firm with her about it."

"She's a lucky girl," Augusta said, and favored Micky with an intimate smile.

He realized that she was flirting and he was failing to respond. The truth was that he was too involved with Rachel. He certainly did not love her, but he was deeply engrossed by his relationship with her and she absorbed all his sexual energy. To compensate for his distraction he held Augusta's hand for a moment as she passed him a cup of tea. "You're flattering me," he said softly.

"No doubt I am. But something is worrying you, I can tell."