James Anderson - Affair of the Mutilated Mink

Chapter Twenty-Four

'How is he?'

Mabel Turner paused outside her bedroom door at Alderley and turned to see that Cyrus Haggermeir had approached.

She said, 'Oh, he's going to be all right, thank you. They're keeping him in for a few days, that's all.'

'Swell. You just got back from the hospital?'

'Yes, I must pack our things and leave straight away. I'll stay in Westchester until Ned's released, though I saw Lady Burford just now and she asked me to stay on. I said no, of course, but I was very touched.'

'Well, I figure we were all impressed by his guts in jumping Carter.'

'That's what the Countess said. And they're not going to do or say anything about my impersonating Cecily. It's a great relief.'

'Can I come in a minute? I'd like to talk with you.'

She looked surprised. 'Yes, of course.'

They went into the room and she looked expectantly at him.

'Did you like him being a stuntman?' he asked.

She hesitated, then said, 'Frankly, no. It used to scare me stiff.'

'Ever try to persuade him to give it up?'

'Certainly not. He was a stuntman when I married him. I've no use for women who marry men with dangerous jobs and then try to make them change. It's thoroughly unfair.'

'All the same, you must have been relieved when he had to give it up?'

'In a way I was. But it made him so miserable.'

'But you wouldn't have wanted me to give him a job?'

'Oh, you're wrong, Mr Haggermeir. I would, for his sake. It's his one ambition to get back to work.'

'Well, I gotta warn you, I ain't going to.'

'I didn't think you would.'

'You see, I could find a couple of dozen guys in Hollywood who could have pulled off that motor-bike stunt. Even Quartus managed it. Chiefly, though, Ned's too old. It's a young man's job.'

She nodded resignedly. 'I know. I only hope I can persuade him to accept that and look for some other line of work. But I'm not hopeful. Movies are his life.'

'Do you mean movies are his life, or movie stunting is?'

'I don't think that he's crazy about stunting as such. But he just loves the film world. Stunting was the only way he was qualified to earn his living in it.'

'I don't think you're right there.'

'What do you mean?'

'Honey, what I saw from him over this weekend was a terrific acting job.'

She smiled. 'He thinks he overdid the characterization.'

'Sure he did. He didn't have any direction. But he fooled a lot of people a long time, ad libbing the whole thing. I don't mind saying I'm impressed. I think he ought to take up acting.'

'At his age? With no experience? He'd never get parts.'

'I got a part for him.'

Mabel gave a jump. She whispered, 'What?'

'Now, it's a small one, but nice: English character in a movie that's scheduled to start shooting soon. Quite an important little role. We haven't been able to cast it. Couldn't find anybody just right. But it's Ned's if he wants it.'

Mabel's face was a study. 'Oh, Mr Haggermeir, I can't believe it!'

'Yeah, well, he's gotta prove himself. But if he handles it OK - and I don't see why he shouldn't - there's no reason he couldn't carve a niche for himself as a character actor. Other stuntmen, like George O'Brien, have made the switch. I'll pay his fare out of course, and yours.'

'I - I don't know what to say. You're so generous!'

'Don't say things like that! I want him for the part or I wouldn't be doing it. Here.' He reached into his pocket and took out an envelope. 'I wrote him a letter, laying it all out, before I knew I'd be seeing you again. Take it and show him. If he calls at my London office when he gets out, we'll fix all the details.' Then, as she started to stammer out her thanks, he added, 'OK, take it as said. I gotta go now. I'll be leaving here soon myself, but there's sumpin' I must do first and before that I gotta find Rex. So long.'

He went out. Mabel sank down on the bed and started to cry.

* * *

'You saved my life,' Gerry said.

'Yes,' Hugh said simply.

'It was incredibly brave, what you did.'

'I know.'

'You mustn't say that!'

'On the contrary, I must. For about first time in my life I feel rather pleased with myself, and I shall no doubt keep talking about it for a very long time.'

'You're impossible!'

'No, I've been impossible. I know that. I've been a boor and a cad. I've behaved abominably, to you and everyone else. But you know why, don't you?'

'I think so. But tell me, all the same.'

'I could see myself losing you to Carter. And it was making me utterly wretched. I'm crazy about you, Gerry. You know that, don't you?'

She nodded silently. Her eyes were bright.

'At one time I thought I had a chance. Then you seemed to be leaning towards Carter and I got terrified. I was always certain he was a rotter. When you invited me here for the weekend again, I couldn't believe my good luck. But then I found out he was here, too, and I had to watch you getting closer and closer to him and farther away from me. It was the most miserable few days I've ever spent.'

'I never intended it like that. I meant to treat you both exactly the same. For the first day or two it was your own fault. You were such a bear.'

'I realise that.'

'And then, of course, it seemed Paul was going to be falsely charged with murder, and naturally I had to spring to his defence. Nitwit!'

'You weren't a nitwit. He had a lot of charm. In fact, I have to admit that, except when he was murdering people or robbing them, he was much nicer than I am. Anyway, now you have at least seen me at my worst.'

'That's nice to know.'

'So Gerry, will you marry me? I'll make an awful husband, but I do love you very much.'

'To distraction? I could never marry a man who didn't love me to distraction.'

'Positively to distraction.'

'Aren't you rather taking advantage of the fact that I'm grateful you saved my life?'

'Of course I am. Do you blame me?'

She said slowly, 'I'm a little scared of you, Hugh. I always have been. And you frequently infuriate me. Probably I shall often hate you. We'll no doubt have the most awful rows. But, well, I've never been one for a quiet life. So the answer's yes, without any doubts at all.'

He took her in his arms.

A minute or two later she said, 'You don't mind people saying you're marrying me for my money?'

'Not in the least. Do you?'

'Oh, of course not! I think it takes an awful lot of guts and character for a poor man to marry a rich girl and not let it make any difference. But I must admit I do worry a bit for your sake, about what people will say.'

'Let the oafs say what they like.' He kissed her again.

'Young man, don't you think it's time you stopped teasing my daughter?'

They sprang apart and spun round. It was the Countess, who'd entered the room silently and was gazing at them severely.

Gerry said, 'Mummy! I - er' She took a deep breath. 'Hugh just asked me to marry him.'

'And clearly you had the surprising good sense to accept.'

Gerry stared. 'You approve?'

'I do. It's high time you were married. And you're obviously in love with each other, which is always an advantage.'

Gerry nodded vigorously. 'Yes, but I thought perhaps you'd raise objections to my marrying someone who - who...'

'Object to your marrying the only son of the Marquis of Gower? Why on earth should I? It's a most excellent match. His family owns five thousand acres in west Wales and a considerable amount of property in London.'

' What ?' Gerry gaped. 'Hugh, is this true?'

' 'Fraid so. How did you know, Lady Burford?'

'Chiefly your name. Quartus was your mother's maiden name, wasn't it? She and I came out together in '05. Then again, you have her eyes. I haven't seen her for well over twenty years. How is she?'