Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"Oh, no!" Micky said to himself in dismay. This was a catastrophe. He had suspected Augusta's involvement, although he had no evidence--but how on earth had Solly found out?

The same question occurred to Edward. "Who's been filling your fat head with such rot?"

"One of your mother's cronies is a lady-in-waiting to the queen," Solly replied. Micky guessed he was speaking of Harriet Morte: Augusta seemed to have some kind of hold over her. Solly went on: "She let the cat out of the bag--she told the Prince of Wales. I've just been with him."

Solly must be practically insane with anger to speak so indiscreetly about a private conversation with royalty, Micky thought. It was a case of a gentle soul being pushed too far. He could not see how a quarrel such as this could possibly be patched up--certainly not in time for the signing of the contract tomorrow.

He tried desperately to cool the temperature. "Solly, old man, you can't be sure this story is true--"

Solly rounded on him. His eyes were bulging and he was perspiring. "Can't I? When I read in today's newspaper that Joseph Pilaster has got the peerage that was expected to go to Ben Greenbourne?"

"All the same--"

"Can you imagine what this means to my father?"

Micky began to understand how the armor of Solly's amiability had been breached. It was not for himself that he was angry, but for his father. Ben Greenbourne's grandfather had arrived in London with a bale of Russian furs, a five-pound note and a hole in his boot. For Ben to take a seat in the House of Lords would be the ultimate badge of acceptance into English society. No doubt Joseph too would like to crown his career with a peerage--his family had also risen by their own efforts--but it would be much more of an achievement for a Jew. Greenbourne's peerage would have been a triumph not just for himself and his family but for the entire Jewish community in Britain.

Edward said: "I can't help it if you're a Jew."

Micky butted in quickly. "You two shouldn't let your parents come between you. After all, you're partners in a major business enterprise--"

"Don't be a damn fool, Miranda," Solly said with a savagery that made Micky flinch. "You can forget about the Santamaria railroad, or any other joint venture with Greenbournes Bank. After our partners hear this story, they'll never do business with the Pilasters again."