Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Edward had dropped Micky after finding out the truth about Peter Middleton, but it had only lasted a few days, and they were now closer friends than ever before. Augusta was glad. She could not be angry with Micky. She had always known he was dangerous: it made him even more desirable. She sometimes felt frightened of him, knowing he had killed three people, but her fear was exciting. He was the most immoral person she had ever met, and she wished he would throw her to the floor and ravish her.

Micky was still married. He could probably divorce Rachel if he wanted to--there were persistent rumors about her and Maisie Robinson's brother Dan, the Radical member of Parliament--but it could not be done while he was the minister.

Augusta sat on the Egyptian sofa, intending that he should sit beside her, but to her disappointment he sat opposite. Feeling spurned, she said: "What are you here for?"

"Edward and I are going to a prizefight."

"No, you're not. He's dining with the marquis of Hocastle."

"Ah." Micky hesitated. "I wonder if I made a mistake ... or he did."

Augusta was quite sure Edward was responsible and she doubted whether it was a mistake. He loved to watch prizefighting and he was probably intending to slide out of the dinner engagement. She would soon put a stop to that. "You'd better go on your own," she said to Micky.

A rebellious look came into his eye, and for a moment she thought he was going to defy her. Was she losing her power over this young man, she wondered? But he stood up, albeit slowly, and said: "I'll slope off, then, if you'll explain to Edward."

"Of course."

But it was too late. Before Micky reached the door Edward came in.

Augusta noticed that his skin rash was inflamed tonight. It covered his throat and the back of his neck and reached up to one ear. It troubled her, but he said the doctor insisted it was nothing to worry about.

Rubbing his hands in anticipation, he said: "I'm looking forward to this."

Augusta said in her most authoritative voice: "Edward, you cannot go the prizefight."

He looked like a child who has been told that Christmas is canceled. "Why not?" he said plaintively.

For a moment Augusta felt sorry for him and almost backed down. Then she hardened her heart and said: "You know perfectly well that we are engaged to dine with the marquis of Hocastle."

"That's not tonight, is it?"

"You know it is."

"I shan't go."

"You must!"

"But I dined out with Emily last night!"

"Then tonight will make two civilized dinners in a row."