Read Online Dishonorable Intentions by Stuart Woods - Free Book Online Page B

a bite at the bar,” she said.
    â€œThen you should know that Tirov appears to be in the same restaurant.”
    â€œOh, my God! How did you know?”
    â€œI neglected to tell you that Bob Cantor’s app had tracked him to London. My advice is just to pay your check and sneak out, so as to avoid a confrontation.”
    â€œI certainly will. Goodbye.”
    Stone watched as the yellow dot left the location and moved down to Burlington Arcade, while the green dot remained. Relieved, he closed his phone.
    Geoffrey came into the room. “Dame Felicity is on the phone for you, Mr. Barrington. Line one.”
    â€œThank you, Geoffrey. Any trouble getting her boat started this morning?”
    â€œNone whatever, sir. I think it must have been flooded.”
    Stone picked up the phone. “Good morning again.”
    â€œAnd good morning to you.”
    â€œNo trouble getting your boat started this morning?”
    â€œNone. I expect the engine was flooded. Did we surprise you last night?”
    â€œYes, but very pleasantly. I can’t think when I’ve enjoyed being surprised so much.”
    â€œYou certainly rose to the occasion, and you acquitted yourself very nicely.”
    â€œI had a lot of inspiration.”
    â€œPerhaps we’ll do it again sometime.”
    â€œI wouldn’t be surprised.”
    â€œShe’s a lovely girl. I can see why you’re so attracted to her.”
    â€œShe said much the same about you.”
    â€œI’m so glad. Oh, has your post arrived yet?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    â€œWhen it does, you may expect to receive some interesting news.”
    â€œIs that meant to be a surprise, too?”
    â€œIt is.”
    At that moment, Geoffrey entered with some letters on a silver tray.
    â€œAh, here’s the post now. Which one is the surprise?”
    â€œThe one posted from the Isle of Wight.”
    Stone found the postmark and opened the letter. It was from the secretary of the famous old yacht club across the Solent, informing him that he had been elected to membership. “Good God!” he said. “How did this happen?”
    â€œSecretly,” she said. “You made a very good impression at the club, and if you’ll remember, you had several flag officers as guests at your dinner party last year.”
    â€œYes, I remember.”
    â€œIt was not difficult to gather the requisite number of proposers for your application, all of them prominent in the club. Those things can’t be rushed, but nearly a year has passed, and the wheels ground steadily in your absence.”
    â€œI can’t thank you enough, Felicity,” he said earnestly. “It’s a wonderful club, and I shall enjoy using it.”
    â€œLet me give you a phone number,” she said.
    He wrote it down.
    â€œThat’s the club tailor, in Southampton. Ring him and he’ll come over and measure you for a reefer suit and a mess kit, and he’ll sell you a cap, as well. You’ll need both.”
    â€œI shall certainly do so.”
    â€œYou’ll also need a stickpin for your necktie. That’s part of the regalia. Benzie’s, the jewelry store on the Parade in Cowes, will provide that.”
    â€œI’ll stop in on my next trip over.”
    â€œI can’t wait to see your new boat.”
    â€œI’ll ring you as soon as I get my hands on it.”
    â€œGoodbye then, and congratulations.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œAnd
au revoir
.”
    â€œIndeed.” He hung up, called the tailor to make an appointment.
    â€œYou’re at Windward Hall, on the Beaulieu, is that right, Mr. Barrington?”
    â€œThat’s correct.”
    â€œI have another call to make near you today. I could visit you at, say, four?”
    â€œPerfect.”
    â€œAnd may I ask, sir, what size hat do you wear?”
    â€œSeven and a half.”
    â€œI’ll bring a couple.”
    â€œGood. See you