In the Lion’s Den. Barbara Taylor Bradford

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СКАЧАТЬ Reggie was thoughtful before saying, ‘He has two brothers. One owns a café; the other, the eldest I believe, has stalls at one of the markets.’

      ‘What about nieces? Nephews?’

      ‘I believe he does have some. Actually, I met his oldest nephew some time ago. Bumped into them near the Bettrage Hotel in Mayfair.’

      Jane sat waiting, holding her breath, her eyes riveted on her husband.

      Lord Reginald was frowning. Eventually he said, ‘Now I remember … they were coming out of the hotel and it was the young man I noticed first. Then suddenly, there was George, speaking to me and introducing the young fellow. I was taken aback, actually.’

      ‘Why were you surprised?’

      ‘I was startled by the young man. If I hadn’t known better, I would have said he was the scion of some aristocratic family. Tall, good looking, properly dressed. He had impeccable manners, and what a voice … an actor’s voice.’ Reggie shook his head, and exclaimed, ‘Come to think about it, he had a voice that resembles your father’s. Mellifluous. Put him in a courtroom and – with those looks and that voice – he would be like your father. He’d win every case.’

      Jane had a surprised expression on her face, could not speak. After a moment, regaining her equilibrium, she said, ‘Are you sure it was George’s nephew, not someone he was interviewing?’

      Laughing, Lord Reginald shook his head rather vehemently. ‘I’m sure. Why does this matter to you, Jane? You are being quite intense about this.’

      ‘Did he say, “This is my nephew”, or did George introduce him by name?’

      ‘Both. He said this is my nephew, James Falconer.’ Again Reggie asked, ‘Look, why does this matter so much?’

      ‘Because James Falconer is Henry Malvern’s right-hand man. He’s been working for him since Alexis went to Vienna to be treated by Dr Sigmund Freud.’

      Lord Reggie was silent. After a moment, he took out a cigarette and a match flared. He smoked for a moment or two, then asked, ‘Is she afraid of him? Or has she fallen for him?’

      ‘Neither, in my opinion. I believe she dislikes him, looks down on him. Certainly she was derogatory when she spoke to me about him today. She thinks he’s an opportunist. She’s using him as a reason why her father no longer needs her help.’

      ‘I see.’ Reginald, a genius in the world of business and perceptive about people, took a moment before he addressed the matter. ‘I have a feeling that James Falconer is a very decent man, if his uncle is anything to go by. I am quite sure he is ambitious – and what’s wrong with that? He obviously wants to move up in the world. I bet he has been a godsend to Malvern.’ He blew smoke into the air and said, ‘I’m afraid our friend has been something of a fool. Sitting around here mooning … for a dead man.’

      ‘I agree, Reggie. However, I don’t know how to handle this situation with Alexis any more.’

      ‘She needs a shock … we have to shock her into coming to her senses. I’ll put my thinking cap on.’ Looking hard at his beautiful, sensible wife, he continued, ‘Now I want to ask you a question, Jane.’

      ‘I will answer you if I can.’

      ‘What do you think about Alexis’s view of James Falconer? I know you’ve not met him, but I’ve described his manners, his voice, his general appearance. Be honest with me.’

      A reflective look came across her face and settled there. She said, ‘I think Alexis might have felt a pull towards him, regretted that emotion, and grown afraid of him. Alexis ran.’

      ‘And perhaps she felt guilty regarding Sebastian?’

      ‘Maybe,’ Jane agreed, and pursed her mouth. ‘She was rather strong about his background; she called him a poor boy and mentioned that he’d worked on the stalls.’

      ‘That’s just the snob in her coming out. But truthfully, in my opinion, a relationship between them is out of the question.’

      ‘Don’t you think she’s got to take her responsibilities seriously, Reggie? You’ve got to persuade her to go back and help her father, learn how to run the Malvern Company. It’s her legacy.’

      Jane was silent, thinking for a moment. After a pause she said softly, ‘I love Alexis. I want to help her, get her better. You know that, don’t you?’

      ‘I certainly do. I feel the same, Jane. I really do.’

      ‘What if she remains stubborn, won’t budge?’

      ‘Then we’ll just have to leave her to lead the life she chooses. It is her life, after all. Not ours.

       FIVE

      Early on the misty autumnal Saturday morning, before he went riding with Alexis, Lord Reginald promised his wife he would find a way to get Alexis to go back to London.

      This promise had helped to relieve Jane’s anxiety, and now she sat in front of the fire in the library, reading a book, relaxing, enjoying the quiet and being alone. Thus the unexpected knocking on the door startled her; she glanced across at it, frowning. Instantly it opened to reveal Mrs Bellamy standing there, her manner somewhat hesitant.

      In an apologetic voice the housekeeper said, ‘So sorry to disturb you, Your Ladyship, but Miss Alexis told me you would give me the menu for supper tonight. If you can spare a moment now, it would be helpful.’

      Although she was surprised this task had been left to her, Lady Jane put down her book. ‘Yes, of course, Mrs Bellamy. Do come in.’ As she spoke, Jane stood and walked over to the small desk. ‘Have you had any thoughts about it?’

      Walking over to join her, Mrs Bellamy replied at once. ‘I do know His Lordship likes my lobster and fish pie, and I had thought of that for the main course.’

      Turning to her, Jane nodded. ‘I like it too, so let’s settle on that, Mrs Bellamy.’ Writing this down on the piece of paper she had taken out of a drawer, Jane then added, ‘It’s a bit chillier today, so why not one of your delicious soups first?’

      A smile of pleasure slipped onto the housekeeper’s face. ‘My carrot and ginger soup would be perfect before the pie, m’lady. I’ll do some oysters as a between-course too. And what about a plum clafoutis as a dessert, with a cheeseboard to follow?’

      ‘Sounds perfect to me. Thank you so much, Mrs Bellamy.’

      ‘There’s just one other thing, m’lady. What time will Miss Claudia and her husband be arriving this afternoon? In time for tea?’

      ‘Oh no, they’ll be here for supper. They have to attend an engagement party first, and—’ Jane cut her sentence off abruptly. She glanced at Mrs Bellamy as the sound of carriage wheels rattling on the cobblestones outside in the courtyard was heard.

      ‘Are you expecting someone, Your Ladyship?’ Mrs Bellamy asked.

      ‘No, I’m not,’ СКАЧАТЬ