And he gave his small and vigorous friend a hearty smack on the back.
To Berenice, his announcement of this Charing Cross control was an occasion for celebration. For was it not she who had originally suggested this London adventure?
And now here she was at last, finding herself a part of a great world of affairs such as in the past she had only dimly envisioned.
Sensing Cowperwood’s exultant mood, she brought out a bottle of wine with which they might toast the occasion, and each other.
At one point in their conversation, she could not resist asking, rather impishly:
“Have you, by any chance, met your, our, Lord Stane?”
“ ‘Our’?” He laughed.
“Don’t you really mean your Lord Stane?”
“Mine and yours,” countered Berenice.
“For he can help us both, can he not?”
What a creature! thought Cowperwood. The daring and bravado of this chit of a girl!
“To be sure,” he said, resignedly.
“No, I haven’t met him, but I admit he is important.
In fact, I am hoping he may mean a great deal.
However, Stane or no Stane, I shall go ahead with this project.”
“And Stane or no Stane, you will achieve just what you want,” said Berenice.
“You know that, and so do I.
You don’t need anyone, not even me,” and she came over and took his hand in hers.
Chapter 29
Pleased with the thought of the probable effect of this purchase on his further activities in London, Cowperwood decided to pay a propitiatory call upon Aileen.
He had not heard from Tollifer and was seriously wondering what further steps he could take in that direction without committing himself.
Approaching Aileen’s suite, which adjoined his own, he heard her laugh, and, entering, found her standing before a long mirror, surrounded by a group of saleswomen and fitters from one of the London shops.
She was surveying her reflection while her maid adjusted the gown.
The room was littered with paper, boxes, tags, and dresses, and he noted that the gown she wore was quite magnificent and in better taste than was customary with her.
Two fitters, pins in their mouths, were on their knees making rapid adjustments, while a most attractive and smartly dressed woman was giving them instructions.
“Well, well,” remarked Cowperwood as he entered, “this makes me feel a little superfluous, although I wouldn’t mind playing audience if there’s no objection.”
“Come in, Frank!” called Aileen. “I’m just trying on an evening gown.
We won’t be much longer.
This is my husband,” she added, addressing the assembled group, who bowed respectfully.
“Well, I must say that pale gray is most becoming,” said Cowperwood.
“It emphasizes your hair.
Few women could wear it as well as you do, my dear.
But what I really stopped in for was to say that it looks as though we would be in London for some time.”
“Really?” asked Aileen, turning her head slightly to look at him.
“I’ve just completed some of that business I was telling you about.
It’s all settled except for some minor details.
I thought you’d like to know.”
“Oh, Frank, isn’t that wonderful!” She was delighted.
“Well, I won’t take up any more of your time. I have so many things to do.”
“By the way,” said Aileen, who sensed his desire to escape and wished to put him at ease in regard to herself. “Mr. Tollifer just phoned. He’s back, and is coming to dinner.
I explained to him that your business might prevent you from dining with us.
I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“It’s a little difficult,” said Cowperwood, “but I’ll do my best to get there”—which remark Aileen took for exactly what it was worth: nothing at all.
“All right, Frank,” she said, as he waved good-by and left the room.
She knew that she would not see him again before the morrow, if then, but one thing caused her to feel this routine indifference of his less keenly.
In his telephone conversation with her, Tollifer had apologized for his seeming neglect and had inquired anxiously if she were not coming to France.
Aileen was puzzled as to the basis of her attraction for so cavalier a personality.
For what reason, exactly, was he so much interested in her?
Money, no doubt.
Yet how attractive he was!