Rogue in Porcelain Read Online Free Page B

Rogue in Porcelain
Book: Rogue in Porcelain Read Online Free
Author: Anthea Fraser
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keep it to herself.
    He pressed the buzzer for his secretary and, when she came in, handed her the letter.
    â€˜Phone Miss Parish, would you, Meg, and make an appointment for later in the week. How’s Wednesday looking?’
    â€˜So far, the morning’s clear.’
    â€˜Fine, let’s make it then. She’ll be coming from Marsborough, so allow her a little time. Around ten o’clock.’
    â€˜Right; I’ll get on to it straight away.’
    â€˜Has my brother anyone with him at the moment?’
    â€˜I can check for you.’
    â€˜If he’s free, put me through, would you?’
    A minute later the phone rang on his desk, and he lifted it to hear Edward’s voice.
    â€˜It just struck me,’ Finlay said, ‘that you weren’t at lunch on Friday, and we haven’t been in touch since.’
    â€˜So?’ Edward asked drily. ‘Did you all go down with food poisoning?’
    â€˜Seriously, have you spoken to anyone? About the lunch?’
    â€˜Now you are making me curious. No, I haven’t.’
    â€˜The point is that Uncle Charles joined us, with the information that a journalist wants to do a write-up on us.’
    â€˜Nothing world-shattering there, is there?’
    â€˜He suggested she should be told about Genesis ahead of the announcement.’
    There was silence, followed by a low whistle. ‘Did he indeed?’
    â€˜How do you feel about it? It’s your baby rather than mine.’
    â€˜You say “suggested”; nothing definite, then?’
    â€˜He promised a full consultation before reaching a decision. Has he actually got the last word on this, if, for instance, the rest of us were against it?’
    â€˜I suppose so. He is Managing Director, after all. The point’s never arisen before; in important matters, there’s always been a consensus of opinion. Perhaps, when we’ve weighed the pros and cons, there will be this time.’
    â€˜Admittedly there’s no question of publication ahead of time; it’s her knowing that’s the crux of it, so it can be incorporated at the end of her article.’
    â€˜How long do we have to think about this?’
    â€˜Oh, several weeks, I’d say; it’ll take her a while to work her way down to the present. In fact, she says in her letter it might spread over more than one issue. She writes for Chiltern Life, by the way.’
    After a moment’s thought, Edward asked, ‘How did the others react?’
    â€˜I don’t think any of us reacted at all; we were too stunned, and Uncle swiftly changed the subject. With its being the weekend, I’ve not spoken to them since, but I wanted to put you in the picture, in case it comes up at lunch.’
    â€˜Well, thanks for that. I’ll mull it over. By the way, Anna was wondering if you’d care to join us for Harry’s birthday on Friday, in your guise as godfather?’
    â€˜What form are the celebrations taking?’
    Edward laughed. ‘Cautious as ever! You won’t be required to play football or anything. He’s having a thrash with his friends on Saturday, but Friday’s his actual birthday, and we’re taking him out to the Deer Park for dinner. Mother’s coming, of course, and you’d be very welcome to join us.’
    â€˜That’s good of you, Edward. And Anna.’
    â€˜You’ll come, then?’
    â€˜I’d be delighted. Thank you.’
    â€˜Great; I’ll let you know the times later. Are you going down for lunch now?’
    â€˜In a couple of minutes, yes.’
    â€˜See you there, then.’
    Finlay replaced his phone and sat for a moment, drumming his fingers on the desk. God only knew what sixteen-year-old boys wanted for their birthday. A cheque would probably be the best bet. He’d need to buy a card, though; he’d ask Meg . . . No, damn it! The boy was his godson, after all. He’d leave a little

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