The Affair of the Mutilated Mink (10 page)

* * *

Sebastian Everard stood at the edge of the lake, his hands in his overcoat pockets, and stared at the dull grey water. After a few minutes he gave a shake of his head, turned and began to retrace his steps along the gravel path to the house. Shortly, he reached a point at which the path forked, one branch leading to the front of the house, another round to the side, ending eventually in the stable yard. Sebastian took the latter.

The Burford family these days kept only a few riding horses, and all the old stalls on one side of the yard had long ago been converted to provide covered parking space for half a dozen cars. Now Lord Burford's Rolls, Gerry's Hispano, Sebastian and Cecily's station wagon, Paul's red tourer and Gilbert's Austin Seven were standing side by side in a row in order of descending size, like a family group. Sebastian went to the station wagon, took a key from his pocket and opened the rear door. The luggage space was nearly filled with a number of bulky objects, all covered with a rug. Sebastian was about to pull the rug back when be heard a woman's footsteps behind him. He straightened and turned.

Maude Fry was approaching from the direction of the house. She was carrying a stamped and addressed envelope, and was in the act of putting on her glasses.

Sebastian said, Ah, good - good - good morning.'

She nodded stiffly. Good morning, Mr Everard.'

'You — you — you going out?'

'Yes, to the village. I have to mail a letter. I wonder if you'd mind helping me get my car out.'

'Your car?'

'Yes, the Austin is mine.'

'Oh. Thought - thought it was old Gilbert's.'

'No, his is being repaired. If you could just stand behind and guide me out. There's not a great deal of space and I don't want to scrape Mr Carter's car. Simply call out 'right' or 'left' as the case may be.'

'OK, then. Let me think. This is my right, isn't it?' He held up his left hand.

'On second thought, please don't bother.'

'No bother. Pleasure, and all that. Spot of point duty, eh? Quite exciting, really.'

Maude Fry said, 'What on earth's that?'

For some seconds they'd been conscious of a sound growing in volume, and now it had become very loud. The next moment a motorcycle combination came speeding through the archway at the end of the yard, closely followed by a small van bearing the name Jenkins' Garage. The two vehicles skidded to a halt in the centre of the yard.

The rider of the motorcycle, a lad of about eighteen, jumped off and came across to them. 'Name o' Quartus?'

'No, actually,' Sebastian said. 'Sort of know him, though.'

'Brought his motor-bike back.'

'Ah. Jolly good.'

'Tell him, will you?'

'Oh, right.'

'Ha. Here's the bill.' He handed Sebastian a manila envelope. 'Quite a machine he's got there.'

'Oh, has he?'

'I'll say. Really been souped up. Terrific turn o' speed. And acceleration. Oh, well, so long.'

He strolled jauntily over to the van, which had turned while they'd been talking, and jumped into the passenger seat. It drove off.

* * *

Immediately after leaving Haggermeir's room, Laura walked along the corridor to the east wing and opened the door of the picture gallery. She went in, looking interestedly around her.

'Hullo,' said a man's voice.

She turned to see Hugh. He was sitting on one of the sofas, a few yards to her right.

She smiled. 'Good morning.'

'Do you honestly think it's a good morning?' he asked in Italian. 'Can you really stand our weather at this time of year?'

'One puts up with what one has to.' She closed the door.

'But do you have to? Couldn't you at least have remained in a nice centrally heated London hotel?'

'I received an invitation from a producer. Naturally I came.'

'Tell me: you still believe Haggermeir sent that telegram?'

'Of course. Or had it sent.'

'But why should he lie?'

She shrugged. 'Maybe he did not want me to think he was too eager. Or perhaps he didn't want the Earl and Countess to know he had invited me without their permission.'

'Sly dog. May I ask an impertinent question?'

'If it's not my age.'

'No, it's this: Why should you, one of the world's great dramatic actresses, want to sign up with a man like him? He's got no reputation as a serious filmmaker.'

'I felt it was time to branch out, You see, I am not widely known outside Italy. As a result I've never made much money. I knew where the big money was to be earned - Hollywood. Yet for years I held back. I was nervous. My English wasn't good. But then I asked myself: If Garbo had stayed in Sweden, where would she be today? So I took English lessons. At last I thought I was ready. Then I received Haggermeir's telegram, while on a visit to England. I believe in fate. So I came to see him. He will, at least, make my face known to millions of people. Then again, he would love to please the intellectual critics. Now he will have a chance to do so, because they like me. He will not want to lose the opportunity. So he will be - amenable. I will be more likely to get my own way about all sorts of things than I would with a Zanuck, say.'

'Signorina Lorenzo, why do—'

'Call me Laura.'

'May I?' Hugh's pale face flushed with pleasure. 'My - my name's Hugh.'

'I know. You were saying?'

'Just - why do you tell me all this?'

'Perhaps because you're the only person here who speaks Italian. Also - well, I am always conscious of atmosphere. When I arrived yesterday there was only one person present whom I sensed was sympathetic, glad to see me. You. I was grateful.'

'I can't imagine anyone not being glad to see you,' he said simply.

She smiled. 'You're very sweet. But enough of me. Tell me about yourself. You are a painter, I know. What kind of paintings do you do? Very
avant garde
?'

'On the contrary. My specialty is portrait painting.'

'And you enjoy that?'

'I would if I could get some decent subjects. You should see some of the people I've had to paint.'

'Would you like to paint my portrait?'

Hugh gave a start. 'You?'

'Yes, me. Don't look so frightened. Am I so hideous?'

'Are you serious?'

'Perfectly. Oh, I would pay you a proper fee, of course.'

Dazedly Hugh said, 'I can't believe it. It would be absolutely wonderful!'

'Good. Then that's settled.'

He said eagerly, 'When do you want me to start? Now? Today?'

She looked surprised. 'You have your equipment with you?'

'No, but I can start on the preliminary pencil sketches.'

She said thoughtfully, 'I would like some time to sit and think. There are decisions I have to make. Or again, perhaps . . . Can you talk while you work?'

'Oh, yes.'

'Good. I may want to ask your advice, Hugh. I have a problem.'

'Well, if you think I can help . . .'

She gave a decisive nod. 'We'll start after lunch.'

He leant forward and took her hand. 'Laura—'

The door opened and Gerry came in. 'Hugh? I—' She stopped short. 'Oh.'

Hugh got hurriedly to his feet. 'Gerry. I, er, just came up to browse among the paintings.'

'Yes, I thought I'd find you here.' She looked at Laura. 'And you are an art lover, too, signorina?'

'But naturally, Lady Geraldine.'

'Did you want me for anything particular, Gerry?' Hugh asked.

'I wondered if you'd like to come riding this afternoon. If so, I must tell the groom to get the horses saddled up.'

'No, I'm sorry, I can't. Laura — Signorina Lorenzo — has asked me to paint her portrait. We're making a start after lunch.'

'I see.' Gerry looked a little taken aback.

Laura said, 'Oh, please, Hugh, do not let me keep you from going riding.'

'Oh, I can go riding any time. It's not often I get a chance to draw a beautiful woman.'

There was a pause. Then Gerry looked at her wrist watch and said brightly, 'Twelve o'clock. There'll be drinks in the morning room now, if anyone's interested.'

'I am. Very,' Hugh said.

Laura said, 'And I must go to my room and fix my hair, to be ready for my seetting. It looks awful today.'

'It looks much the same as it did yesterday to me,' Gerry said pleasantly.

They left the gallery together. In the corridor they saw Sebastian approaching his room. He came strolling towards them.

'Ah, er, Quartus. Been - been - been looking for you, old man. Chappie just brought your jolly old motor-bike and thingummy back. Said to tell you. Said I would. Have.'

'Oh, fine.'

'And there was this.' Sebastian produced a crumpled manila envelope and handed it to Hugh. 'Jolly old bill - what?'

'Thanks.'

'Seemed quite impressed — garage chap. With the bike, I mean. Said it had a real turn of speed.'

'I believe so. I bought it from a chap who used it for competitions and made a number of modifications. Quite a genius with engines, I believe.'

'What's its top speed?' Gerry asked.

'I wouldn't know. What about those drinks you mentioned?' He started to walk away. Gerry followed him.

Sebastian gazed after them, a vacant expression on his face. Laura said, 'You are eenterested in motor-bikes, Signore Everard?'

'What? Oh, no fear. Frightfully dan-ger-oos, eh?'

'You do not like a leetle danger now and then?'

'Me? Not likely. Safety - safety first, that's my motto.'

'Signore Everard, we have met before, have we not?'

'What? Us? No, don't think so. Sure I'd have remembered. Don't meet many film stars, unfortunately.'

'But I have an excellent memory for faces, signore. You have been in Italy, I theenk?'

'Never at all. Sorry and all that. No offence.'

'But at one time you were in the limelight - the publeek eye?'

Did his eyes flicker slightly at that, she wondered, or was it just my imagination?

He answered after a couple of seconds. 'Me? Famous? Golly, no. Never done anything interesting. Just kept myself to myself.'

'You have a profession?'

'No fear! Don't need one, happy to say. Couldn't hold one down, I'm sure.'

'Have you never thought you would like to try?'

'Why?'

'Don't most men feel the need to achieve something, to make some contribution to society?'

He scratched his head. 'Did help the Fry woman back her car out earlier. 'Fraid she bashed the fender. Wasn't pleased. Best I leave things alone, really.'

'One of the other gentlemen - I cannot remember who, now - was saying you were an old friend of his, I theenk.'

'Me? No, never clapped the old peepers on any of 'em before yesterday. Ah, well, must go and have a snooze before lunch - make sure the old gastric system's fresh for the fray. Pip-pip.'

'You have a high performance machine and you've never bothered to try it flat out?' Gerry said incredulously as she and Hugh went downstairs.

He shook his head. 'Why should I? I've never been in that much of a hurry to get anywhere.'

'Haven't you any sense of excitement, adventure?'

'Not really. To get a cheap thrill out of speed for its own sake is simply juvenile.'

'Then why buy a hotted-up machine?'

'Because the owner was getting married and wanted a quick sale, because I needed a bike, and because it was obviously in first-class condition. Satisfied?'

Gerry said, 'You infuriate me. You know that?'

'Yes.'

'You're so dashed superior!'

'I can't help that.'

'Oh, go take a running jump at yourself!'

They went into the morning room. Lady Burford, Cecily and Rex were already there. Rex immediately came across to Gerry.

'Ah, Lady Geraldine, a word in your ear?'

'Of course.' They moved to one side.

'I've just discovered Gilbert's planning to leave, at your request,' he said. 'However, it's very important for this film that he does stay at least a little longer. He's reluctant to do so, but said he will if I clear it with you. I hate to interfere in private matters, but I have to ask if you'll relent. If it wasn't really important, I wouldn't impose.' He smiled persuasively.

Gerry hesitated. After all her efforts to get rid of Gilbert, this was annoying. On the other hand, he had probably learnt his lesson by now and would be too scared to try any more funny business. Moreover, she
would
rather like a chance to correct some of his misapprehensions about her.

So she gave in with good grace. 'Oh, if it's that vital, I certainly wouldn't insist on his leaving. Tell him it'll be all right.'

'Thank you. I really appreciate it.'

Just then Paul entered the room. She said, 'Oh, excuse me, Paul.'

He came across, looking a little preoccupied. 'Hullo?'

'Like to come riding this afternoon?'

'I don't think so, Gerry, thanks, I'm hopeless on a horse.'

'Come on! I'll put you on Sally. She's a lovely placid old mare.'

'I'd really rather not, Gerry. Actually, I thought I'd go for a long run. I'm entered for the English cross-country championships shortly and I must get some training in.'

'Oh, well, please yourself,' she said a little huffily.

Rex said tentatively, 'Lady Geraldine, I should love to go riding with you, if I may.'

She looked surprised. 'Do you ride?'

He smiled. 'You've obviously seen none of my movies.'

'Oh, I have. Only I always thought they used a double for the horseback scenes. I didn't know they let their stars actually
ride
!

'Oh, yes, except for the stunt stuff. I've been riding since I was about three. I was raised on a farm.'

'Then I'd be delighted to take you riding. I can show you the estate.'

'Great. I only hope the snow doesn't start and prevent us.'

'I think you'll be all right,' Paul said. 'I was talking to the local weather forecaster, old Josh, earlier, and he says it'll come late tonight - a heavy fall - but not before. He's infallible, isn't he, Gerry?'

'Just about.'