03 - Murder in Mink Read Online Free PDF

they are unlikely to be complementary to you.”
    Eustace made his rumbling noise again, which seemed to be
a sign of irritation.
    “Was it drink that did it?”
    “A man’s entitled to drink.” Eustace drained his whisky
glass to prove it.
    “Then women. Or maybe money?”
    “Make up your mind as to my failings, won’t you?”
    “Then again, it could be all three.” Peg tapped the ash
from her cigar into an onyx ashtray and waited for a response. It came from an
unexpected quarter.
    “I believe you will find the rift that occurred between
Hogarth and Eustace was fuelled by little more than the unhappy knowledge that
Eustace could not be the son his father wanted and Hogarth could, except
Hogarth was younger and that meant he should not inherit the lion’s share of
his father’s empire.”
    Peg and Eustace both looked up at Clara who had tired of
the baiting antics behind her.
    “Eustace didn’t care for business, Hogarth did. But it is
traditional to pass these things on to the eldest son, so Eustace was forced
into a mould that did not fit him and naturally he failed, or perhaps you would
rather I say ‘rebelled’. The end result was alienation, long spells away from
home, resentment towards Hogarth for being the ‘favoured’ son and an overriding
sense of having shamed himself and his family.”
    “By Jove.” Eustace’s hand trembled as he put down the
glass, “How did you know?”
    Peg was just as astonished.
    “Honestly Clara, are you psychic or something?”
    “No, but I am afraid Eustace your story is nothing new.
For the eldest son to have been ostracised in such a way it had to be pretty
much the case.” Clara shrugged, “Rather fairground stuff after that, like
fortune-tellers, all vague but pointing in one direction. Sorry.”
    “Sorry? You are bloody insightful!” Peg roared with
laughter, “Did anyone tell you she was a private detective Eustace.”
    “No. Is that what you are Clara?”
    “Yes, but it really is not as exciting as it sounds. Lots
of lost dogs and absconding husbands most of the time.”
    Eustace sank back in his chair.
    “You were spot on. It quite shook me, but spot on. I
never was the son my father had wanted. Could I have another whisky?” Eustace
held his glass out to Peg who obediently poured, “Hogarth was a different
story. He was business minded, could do his sums, never caused a bother. I was
always the odd one out.”
    “That doesn’t mean you are less important than him.”
Clara said soothingly.
    “No, but it knocks a man down.” Eustace took a reassuring
sip of alcohol, “Now I’m just a rich fool, too old and fat to be much use
anywhere.”
    “That’s a sad thing to say.” Clara walked over and joined
them, “And I doubt it too. I think deep down you have plenty of skills to be
proud of, you just mask them a great deal because you lack confidence.”
    “You are too kind Clara.”
    Clara gave a shrug. At that moment Glorianna burst into
the drawing room.
    “Have you seen Susan?” She demanded.
    Peg was startled by her stepmother’s ruffled appearance
and fraught look.
    “No.” She said, “Why?”
    “Look, don’t worry, but I went to her room because she
was supposed to be trying on her bridesmaid gown and she wasn’t there. We had
arranged to check her outfit for tomorrow.”
    “She’s no doubt around somewhere.” Peg emphasised
‘around’ by circling her cigar in the air. She had relaxed considerably now she
knew the crisis was merely one of fashion.
    “That’s the thing, I’ve looked in all the likely places.”
    “She’ll turn up in a moment.” Peg persisted, “Susan is
such a butterfly-brain, you know.”
    Disgruntled, Glorianna swept out of the room. Clara
watched her with a feeling of anxiety building inside.
    “Susan doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with Glory.” Peg
whispered to them conspiratorially, “You must have noticed the way Glory tries
to dress like a girl of twenty? She is always trying to rival Susan