Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

The dance ended. Maisie said: "Shall I present Nora to you? She's here tonight."

He looked at her shrewdly. "Did you plan all this, you little minx?"

She had been afraid of this. He was not stupid and he could guess that she had been scheming. It would be better not to deny it. She looked bashful and did her best to blush. "You have found me out. How foolish of me to think I might pull the wool over your eagle eyes." She changed her expression and favored him with a direct, candid gaze. "What shall I do for a penance?"

A lascivious smile passed over his face. "Don't tempt me. Come, I forgive you."

Maisie breathed easier: she had got away with it. Now it was up to Nora to charm him.

"Where is this Nora?" he said.

She was hovering close by, as instructed. Maisie caught her eye and she approached instantly. Maisie said: "Your Royal Highness, may I present Mrs. Hugh Pilaster."

Nora curtsied and batted her eyelashes.

The prince eyed her bare shoulders and plump, rosy bosom. "Charming," he said enthusiastically. "Quite charming."

Hugh watched in astonishment and delight as Nora chatted happily with the Prince of Wales.

Yesterday she had been a social outcast, living proof that you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. She had lost the bank a big contract and run Hugh's career into a brick wall. Now she was the envy of every woman in the room: her clothes were perfect, her manners were charming and she was flirting with the heir to the throne. And the transformation had been brought about by Maisie.

Hugh glanced at his aunt Augusta, standing near him, with Uncle Joseph by her side. She was staring at Nora and the prince. Augusta was trying to look unconcerned, but Hugh could see she was horrified. How it must gall her, Hugh thought, to know that Maisie, the working-class girl she derided six years ago, is now so much more influential than she is.

With perfect timing, Sidney Madler came over. Looking incredulous, he said to Joseph: "Is that the woman you say is hopelessly unsuitable to be a banker's wife?"

Before Joseph could reply, Augusta spoke. In a deceptively mild voice she said: "She did lose the bank a major contract."

Hugh said: "As a matter of fact, she didn't. That loan is going through."

Augusta turned on Joseph. "Count de Tokoly didn't interfere?"

"He seems to have got over his fit of pique rather quickly," Joseph said.

Augusta had to pretend to be pleased. "How fortunate," she said, but her insincerity was transparent.