Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"Are you abducting my wife?" Micky replied. He was angry at having been outmaneuvered.

"She's leaving of her own free will." Bodwin's voice was a little shaky, but he stood his ground. "She will return to you whenever you agree to give up your vicious habits. Subject of course to a satisfactory medical examination."

For a moment Micky was tempted to strike him--but only for a moment. Anyway, the lawyer would undoubtedly charge him with assault, and such a scandal could blight a diplomatic career. Rachel was not worth that.

It was a standoff. What am I fighting for? he asked himself. "You can keep her," he said. "I've finished with her." He went back into the house and slammed the door.

He heard the carriage drive away. To his surprise he found himself regretting Rachel's departure. He had married her purely for convenience, of course--it had been a way of persuading Edward to marry--and it some respects life would be simpler without her. But in a curious way he had enjoyed the daily clash of wits. He had never had that with a woman. However, it was often tiresome too, and he told himself that on balance he would be better off alone.

When he had caught his breath, he put on his hat and went out. It was a mild summer night with a clear sky and bright stars. London's air always tasted better in summer, when people did not need to burn coal to warm their houses.

As he walked down Regent Street he turned his mind to business. Since he had had Tonio Silva beaten up a month ago he had heard no more of his article about the nitrate mines. Tonio was probably still recovering from his wounds. Micky had sent Papa a coded telegram with the names and addresses of the witnesses who had signed Tonio's affidavits, and they were probably dead by now. Hugh had been made to look foolish, for having started an unnecessary scare, and Edward was delighted.

Meanwhile, Edward had got Solly Greenbourne to agree in principle to float the Santamaria railroad bonds jointly with Pilasters. It had not been easy: Solly was as suspicious of South America as most investors were. Edward had been obliged to offer a higher commission and take a share in a speculative scheme of Solly's before the deal could be closed. Edward had also played on the fact that they were old school friends, and Micky suspected it was Solly's softheartedness that had tipped the balance in the end.