Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Greenbourne had an old letter in his hand. "Listen to this," he said, and he began to read. "'Dear Papa, We have a new Latin teacher, Reverend Green, and I am getting on much better, ten out of ten every day last week. Waterford caught a rat in the broom cupboard and he is trying to train it to eat out of his hand. The food here is too little, can you send me a cake? Your loving son, Solomon.'" He folded the letter. "He was fourteen when he wrote that."

Hugh saw that Greenbourne was suffering despite his rigid self-control. "I remember that rat," he said. "It bit Waterford's forefinger off."

"How I wish I could turn back the years," Greenbourne said, and Hugh saw that the old man's self-control was weakening.

"I must be one of Solly's oldest friends," Hugh said.

"Indeed. He always admired you, although you were younger."

"I can't think why. But he was always ready to think the best of people."

"He was too soft."

Hugh did not want the conversation to go that way. "I've come here not just as Solly's friend, but as Maisie's too."

Greenbourne stiffened immediately. The sad look went from his face and he became the caricature of the upright Prussian again. Hugh wondered how anyone could so hate a woman as beautiful and full of fun as Maisie.

Hugh went on: "I met her soon after Solly did. I fell in love with her myself, but Solly won her."

"He was richer."

"Mr. Greenbourne, I hope you will allow me to be frank. Maisie was a penniless girl looking for a rich husband. But after she married Solly she kept her part of the bargain. She was a good wife to him."

"And she has had her reward," Greenbourne said. "She has enjoyed the life of a lady for five years."

"Funnily enough, that's what she said. But I don't think it's good enough. What about little Bertie? Surely you don't want to leave your grandson destitute?"

"Grandson?" said Greenbourne. "Hubert is no relation to me."

Hugh had an odd premonition that something momentous was about to happen. It was like a nightmare in which a frightening but nameless horror was about to strike. "I don't understand," he said to Greenbourne. "What do you mean?"

"That woman was already with child when she married my son."

Hugh gasped.