“I simply wanted the best-qualified person as chairman. In any case, I still don’t think a woman is capable of doing the job.”

“Lady Virginia, try to remember that it’s likely half the jury will be women, and such an observation will not exactly endear you to them.”

“This is beginning to sound more like a beauty contest than a trial.”

“If you think along those lines, Lady Virginia, you won’t go far wrong. Now, we must also assume that the other side will call your former husband Sir Giles Barrington as a witness.”

“Why? He wasn’t involved in any way.”

“Except that all these transactions took place after your divorce, and your choice for chairman just happened to be the man who twice stood against him at general elections, which the jury may feel is one coincidence too many.”

“But even if they did call Giles, how can he possibly help their cause? He’s an ex-husband, an ex-MP, and an ex-minister. He hasn’t exactly got a lot going for him.”

“All that may well be true,” said Sir Edward, “but I have a feeling he would still impress the jury.”

“What makes you say that?”

“He has a great deal of experience as a public speaker, and the dispatch box prepares one well for the witness box. So we can’t afford to underestimate him.”

“But the man’s a loser,” said Virginia, unable to control her feelings.

“I must stress that any personal attacks on the other side will play into their hands, so please remember to remain calm when you’re giving evidence, and play to your strengths. You are the injured party, someone who doesn’t understand the ways of the City and who wouldn’t have the first idea how to bring a company down.”

“But that will make me appear weak.”

“No,” said Sir Edward firmly, “that will make you appear vulnerable, which will work in your favor when the jury see you’re up against a shrewd, tough businesswoman.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“I’m on your side, Lady Virginia, but it is my responsibility to be absolutely sure that you know what you’re up against. With that in mind, I must ask you once again, are you certain you want to go ahead with this case?”

“Yes, I most certainly am, because there’s one piece of evidence that I haven’t told you about, Sir Edward, and once it becomes public, I don’t think this case will ever get to court.”

Chapter 29

29

“MR. SLOANE CALLED while you were at lunch,” said Rachel.

“Did he say what he wanted?” asked Seb.

“No, other than that it was a personal matter.”

“I’m sure it is. He’s worked out that I’ve got nearly six percent of Farthings’ stock, so it’s suddenly very personal.”

“He suggested you meet at his office at eleven tomorrow. There’s space in your diary.”