Chapter 6 6

.6. When Rex Fortescu drank his last cup of coffee, Lance Fortescu and his wife were sitting in the shade of the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, watching the crowds. "Petty: 'Describe him.' It's easy to say, and I can't describe it. What do you want to know? My father is an old liar, you know. But you don't mind? You must be quite used to it." Patty said, "Oh, yes, yes—you're right—I can adapt." She made a pitiful voice as best she could.She thought to herself: Maybe the world is all dishonest—or is she especially unlucky? She is a tall, long-legged girl, not beautiful, but has the charm of vitality and warm heart.Her movements are graceful, and her chestnut brown hair shines beautifully.

Perhaps because of her long association with horses, she really looks like a purebred filly. She knew the tricks of the racing ring—now she seemed to be up against the tricks of the financial world. Still, her father-in-law, whom she has yet to meet, is the cornerstone of justice from a legal point of view.These big "coups" are pretty much the same -- they're never technically beyond the bounds of the law.But she felt that Lance, whom she loved, had been cheated in the early years, but had the integrity that successful fraudsters lacked. "I'm not saying he's a fraud—it's not like that. But he knows how to pull off a scam," Lance said.

Patty said, "Sometimes I really hate tricksters," and added, "You like him." It was a statement, not a question. Lance considered for a moment, then said in a surprised tone: "My dear, you know, I believe I like him quite a bit." Patty laughed, and he looked back at her, his eyes narrowing.She is so sweet!he loves her.For her, everything is worth it. He said, "You know, it's hell to come back. City life—come home from get off work at 5:18 every day. I don't like this way of life. I'm much more at home in the wild and exotic. But sooner or later one settles down, I thought. With you holding my hand. It might be a pleasant process. Now that the old man has changed his mind, we should take advantage of this opportunity. I was really surprised to receive his letter... I didn't expect Percival to do it. Disgraceful thing. Percival, sweetie. I tell you, Persie was always cunning. Yes, he was always cunning."

Patricia Fortescu said, "I probably don't like your brother Percival." "Don't put him off for what I say. Percy and I never hit it off--that's all. I spend my pocket money, and he saves it. I make bad but interesting friends, and Percy only makes so-called 'Friendly friend'. There is a world of difference between him and me. I always thought he was a wretch, and he—you know, sometimes I felt like he hated me.I don't know why..." "I can probably guess why." "Really, darling? You've got brains. You know I'm always skeptical--odd to say--but--"

"What? Tell me." "I don't know if it's Percival's trick about the check--you know, the old man kicked me out--because I've got a share in the firm, and he can't disinherit me, and he's mad as hell! Blame I didn't fake that check - of course I stole money from the till and went betting on the horses so no one believed me. I'm sure I could put the money back, it's mine anyway Money. But the check thing--no, I don't know how to suspect Percival--that's what I think anyway." "But it's no good for him, is it? The money was wired into your account."

"I know, so it doesn't make sense, does it?" Patty turned sharply to look at him. "You mean—he did it to get you out of the company?" "I don't know. Oh, never--that's a bad thing to say. Forget about it. Don't know what old Percy's gonna say when the prodigal comes home. His pale gooseberry eyes will startle jump out!" "Does he know you're coming?" "I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't know! The old man has a funny sense of humor, you know." "What did your brother do to make your father so angry?"

"That's what I wanted to know. Something must have made the old man angry to write me so hastily." "When did you get the first letter from him?" 'About four months—no, five months ago.A cunning letter, but clearly intended to make peace. 'Your brother is unsatisfactory in many ways. ''You seem like a prodigal son. ''I promise it's worth the trip financially. ''Welcome you couple. 'Kiss, you know, I think it has a lot to do with me marrying you.The old man was very moved that I could marry someone with a higher status than me. "

Patty laughed. "What? Marry a lowly member of the nobility?" He grinned. "That's right. But the lower classes are not registered, but the nobles are. You should see Percival's wife. She's the kind of person who just says: 'Please pass the candied fruit here.' Then talk about stamps and other topics." .” Patty didn't smile.She is considering the women of her husband's family.Lance does not take this view into account. "Where's your sister?" she asked. "Ellen—? Oh, she's all right. She was little when I left home. Pretty serious girl - but maybe not anymore now that she's grown up.Take things seriously. "

Doesn't sound like a safe bet.Patty said: "Since you've gone—she never wrote to you?" "I didn't leave the address. But she couldn't write anyway. Our family is not very affectionate." "No." He glanced at her quickly. "Intimidated? For my family? No need. We're not going to live with them. We will find a small place.Horses, dogs, whatever you like. " "But I still have to get off work and go home at 5:18 every day." "I do. Well dressed, city commute. But don't worry, sweetheart - there's country around London too. Lately I've had a sudden financial instinct.

It was, after all, innate—inherited from both sides of the family. " "You don't remember your mother very much, do you?" "I've always thought she was incredibly old. Of course she was. . . She was nearly fifty when Ellen was born. She wore a lot of jingle, lay on the sofa, and used to read about knights and ladies." Tell me the story, I'm sick of it. Tennyson's 'The King's Idyll.' I guess I liked her...she was very—characterless, you know. I think so in retrospect." Patty said in a disapproving tone, "You never seem to like anyone in particular."

Lance grabbed her arm and squeezed it. "I like you," he said.