Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Today he had on a silver-gray tweed suit that matched his silver-streaked hair, and a bright blue tie the color of his eyes. He was heavier than he used to be but he still had a mischievous grin which appeared now and again. They made an attractive couple--but they were not a couple, and the fact that they looked and acted like one was what made her so sad. She took his arm as they walked into Windfield School, and she thought she would give her soul to be with him every day.

They helped Bertie unpack his trunk, then he made them tea in his study. Hugh had brought a cake which would probably feed the sixth form for a week. "My boy Toby will be coming here next half," Hugh said as they drank their tea. "I wonder if you'd keep an eye on him for me?"

"I'll be glad to," Bertie said. "I'll make sure he doesn't go swimming in Bishop's Wood." Maisie frowned at him, and he said: "Sorry. Bad joke."

"They still talk about that, do they?" Hugh said.

"Every year the head tells the story of how Peter Middleton drowned, to try and frighten chaps. But they still go swimming."

After tea they said good-bye to Bertie, Maisie feeling tearful as always about leaving her little boy behind, even though he was now taller than she. They walked back into the town and took the train to London. They had a first-class compartment to themselves.

As they watched the scenery flash by, Hugh said: "Edward is going to be Senior Partner at the bank."

Maisie was startled. "I didn't think he had the brains!"

"He hasn't. I shall resign at the end of the year."

"Oh, Hugh!" Maisie knew how much he cared for that bank. All his hopes were tied up in it. "What will you do?"

"I don't know. I'm staying on until the end of the financial year, so I've got time to think about it."

"Won't the bank go to ruin under Edward?"

"I'm afraid it may."

Maisie felt very sad for Hugh. He had had more bad luck than he deserved, while Edward had far too much good. "Edward is Lord Whitehaven, too. Do you realize that if the title had gone to Ben Greenbourne, as it should have, Bertie would be in line to inherit it now?"

"Yes."

"But Augusta put a stop to all that."

"Augusta?" said Hugh with a puzzled frown.

"Yes. She was behind all that rubbish in the newspapers about 'Can a Jew be a peer?' Do you remember?"

"I do, but how can you be so sure that Augusta was behind it?"

"The Prince of Wales told us."

"Well, well." Hugh shook his head. "Augusta never ceases to amaze me."

"Anyway, poor Emily is Lady Whitehaven now."