Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

For a moment Augusta was not sure who he was talking about. "Madler?"

"From New York. He's angry about Hugh's not being a partner."

"What is it to do with him?" Augusta said. "The insolence!" She spoke superciliously but she was bothered.

"I know what he'll say," Joseph said. "When we formed our joint enterprise with Madler and Bell there was an implicit understanding that the London end of the operation would be run by Hugh. Now Hugh has resigned, as you know."

"But you did not wish Hugh to resign."

"No, but I could keep him by offering him a partnership."

There was some risk of Joseph's weakening, Augusta could see. The thought scared her. She had to stiffen his nerve. "I trust you won't allow outsiders to decide who shall and who shall not be a partner in Pilasters Bank."

"Indeed I won't."

A thought occurred to Augusta. "Can Mr. Madler terminate the joint enterprise?"

"He could, though he hasn't threatened to, so far."

"Is it worth a lot money?"

"It was. But when Hugh goes to work at Greenbournes he's likely to take most of the business with him."

"So it really makes very little difference what Mr. Madler thinks."

"Perhaps not. But I'll have to tell him something. He's come all the way from New York just to make a fuss about this."

"Tell him Hugh has married an impossible wife. He can hardly fail to understand that."

"Of course." Joseph stood up. "Good-bye, dear."

Augusta stood up and kissed her husband on the lips. "Don't be bullied, Joseph," she said.

His shoulders straightened and his mouth set in a stubborn line. "I shan't."

When he had gone she sat at the table sipping coffee for a while, wondering how serious this threat was. She had tried to bolster Joseph's resistance but there was a limit to how much she could do. She would have to keep a very close eye on that situation.

She was surprised to hear that Hugh's departure would cost the bank a lot of money. It had not occurred to her that in promoting Edward and undermining Hugh she was also losing money. For a moment she wondered whether she might be endangering the bank that was the foundation of all her hopes and schemes. But that was ridiculous. Pilasters Bank was hugely wealthy: nothing she could do would threaten it.

While she was finishing her breakfast Hastead sidled in to tell her that Mr. Fortescue had called. She immediately put Sidney Madler out of her mind. This was much more important. Her heart beat faster.