Read Online The Affair of the Mutilated Mink by James Anderson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: James Anderson
Tags: Fiction, General, Humorous fiction, Mystery & Detective, Detective and Mystery Stories, England, Traditional British, Country homes, Motion picture industry, Burford; Lord (Fictitious Character)
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others.
Lady Burford, for example had quite forgiven Laura's earlier behaviour on learning of the misconception she had been under; and was, in fact, secretly delighted to have a Serious Dramatic Actress added to the party. She had learnt that the highly respectable and respected magazine The Londoner had recently devoted a long and fulsome article to Laura, who was clearly a fit person to be entertained at a house where Sarah Bernhardt had once stayed — and who would provide a most useful camouflage for the other film people; they could now be represented to friends as having been merely necessary appendages to Signorina Lorenzo. Consequently, the Countess was far happier with the house party than she had been.
Laura also brought out the best in Rex. Determined not to be outshone by her, he put all he had into making an impact, and compliments, jokes and anecdotes of the stars flowed from his lips throughout the meal.
The third person affected by Laura's presence was Hugh. It was obvious to everybody that he'd been deeply smitten by her, and to his delight, found himself sitting next to her. He talked animatedly to her all through dinner, mostly in Italian.
Gerry was rather irritated by his attentiveness, but she was honest enough to realise that she could have no real cause for complaint. Anything was better than the way he'd been behaving since his arrival.
Having run out of ideas for new characterizations, Gerry had decided just to be herself this evening. However, as this was a personality Gilbert had not previously seen, it was to him as much a new side of her as the others had been. Sitting opposite her, he stared at her with a fearful fascination.
It was during dessert, when Rex had just completed an amusing story concerning a backstage incident at the previous year's Oscar ceremony, that Lord Burford addressed the company at large.
'By the way, talking of prizegivings reminds me: wonderin' if you'd all care for a little jaunt tomorrow evening.'
'I'm game for anything,' Rex said. 'What do you have in mind?'
'Well, it may be a bit of a bore for you, Rex, but ever since the village learnt you were coming they've been agog, wonderin' if they were going to get a chance to see you.'
Rex grinned, 'I'm happy to display the old visage, sign a few autographs.'
'Actually, there's a little more to it than that. You see, each year about this time they hold a talent contest. Everybody turns out, and I usually act as one of the judges and present the prizes. Well, this year's contest is tomorrow night - seven o'clock - and I was wondering if you'd hand out the awards.'
'I don't want to steal your job.'
'I've done it dozens of times. No it'll be a nice break for me, and a real thrill for the village.'
'Then I'll be glad to.'
'Oh, fine. As a matter of fact, the committee put the contest back a week when it first got round you were coming, in the hope you'd agree, and I said I'd do my best. Now, how about you, Haggermeir? Care to be one of the judges?'
'Me? Oh, I don't think so, thanks—'
Rex interrupted. 'Now, come on, Cyrus, you might discover a new Shirley Temple.'
'I'm afraid that's highly unlikely,' the Earl said. 'Most of 'em are pretty ghastly, actually, though there are usually two or three who aren't too bad.
'Well, I guess they couldn't be much more lousy than some of the screen tests I see every week. OK then.'
'Splendid. I'll telephone the chappie who's organising it in the morning and tell him to expect a couple of VIP guests.'
Gerry said, 'Daddy, don't forget we have more than just two VIP guests.' She inclined her head slightly towards Laura.
However, as she did so, Arlington Gilbert said, 'Thank you, Lady Geraldine, but I can think of no more revolting way to pass an evening than witnessing the cavorting and caterwauling of bucolic brats !
Gerry bridled. 'Personally, I wouldn't miss it for the world. It can be the most spiffing fun. Paul, you'll come?'
'Certainly. Try anything
Lady Burford, for example had quite forgiven Laura's earlier behaviour on learning of the misconception she had been under; and was, in fact, secretly delighted to have a Serious Dramatic Actress added to the party. She had learnt that the highly respectable and respected magazine The Londoner had recently devoted a long and fulsome article to Laura, who was clearly a fit person to be entertained at a house where Sarah Bernhardt had once stayed — and who would provide a most useful camouflage for the other film people; they could now be represented to friends as having been merely necessary appendages to Signorina Lorenzo. Consequently, the Countess was far happier with the house party than she had been.
Laura also brought out the best in Rex. Determined not to be outshone by her, he put all he had into making an impact, and compliments, jokes and anecdotes of the stars flowed from his lips throughout the meal.
The third person affected by Laura's presence was Hugh. It was obvious to everybody that he'd been deeply smitten by her, and to his delight, found himself sitting next to her. He talked animatedly to her all through dinner, mostly in Italian.
Gerry was rather irritated by his attentiveness, but she was honest enough to realise that she could have no real cause for complaint. Anything was better than the way he'd been behaving since his arrival.
Having run out of ideas for new characterizations, Gerry had decided just to be herself this evening. However, as this was a personality Gilbert had not previously seen, it was to him as much a new side of her as the others had been. Sitting opposite her, he stared at her with a fearful fascination.
It was during dessert, when Rex had just completed an amusing story concerning a backstage incident at the previous year's Oscar ceremony, that Lord Burford addressed the company at large.
'By the way, talking of prizegivings reminds me: wonderin' if you'd all care for a little jaunt tomorrow evening.'
'I'm game for anything,' Rex said. 'What do you have in mind?'
'Well, it may be a bit of a bore for you, Rex, but ever since the village learnt you were coming they've been agog, wonderin' if they were going to get a chance to see you.'
Rex grinned, 'I'm happy to display the old visage, sign a few autographs.'
'Actually, there's a little more to it than that. You see, each year about this time they hold a talent contest. Everybody turns out, and I usually act as one of the judges and present the prizes. Well, this year's contest is tomorrow night - seven o'clock - and I was wondering if you'd hand out the awards.'
'I don't want to steal your job.'
'I've done it dozens of times. No it'll be a nice break for me, and a real thrill for the village.'
'Then I'll be glad to.'
'Oh, fine. As a matter of fact, the committee put the contest back a week when it first got round you were coming, in the hope you'd agree, and I said I'd do my best. Now, how about you, Haggermeir? Care to be one of the judges?'
'Me? Oh, I don't think so, thanks—'
Rex interrupted. 'Now, come on, Cyrus, you might discover a new Shirley Temple.'
'I'm afraid that's highly unlikely,' the Earl said. 'Most of 'em are pretty ghastly, actually, though there are usually two or three who aren't too bad.
'Well, I guess they couldn't be much more lousy than some of the screen tests I see every week. OK then.'
'Splendid. I'll telephone the chappie who's organising it in the morning and tell him to expect a couple of VIP guests.'
Gerry said, 'Daddy, don't forget we have more than just two VIP guests.' She inclined her head slightly towards Laura.
However, as she did so, Arlington Gilbert said, 'Thank you, Lady Geraldine, but I can think of no more revolting way to pass an evening than witnessing the cavorting and caterwauling of bucolic brats !
Gerry bridled. 'Personally, I wouldn't miss it for the world. It can be the most spiffing fun. Paul, you'll come?'
'Certainly. Try anything
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