"David Drake - RCN 04 - Glory" - читать интересную книгу автора (Drake David)

High RCN officers couldn't attend this ball because Bruno Kearnes was the central figure in several

political battles of the sort that the RCN kept out of. The unspoken ban on attendance didn't apply to a

twenty-four year old lieutenant. The fruit salad on the breast of Daniel's Dress Whites would've been

impressive even for an admiral, however.

Daniel, lately commanding the corvette Princess Cecile, had returned with dispatches from

Admiral Keith's squadron just in time to give Senator Kearnes his show. Daniel in turn was getting the

kind of adulation that came to those whom the citizens of Cinnabar decided were genuine heroes. It was

Lira Kearnes' gala, but it was Daniel Leary's night.

Daniel scanned the crowd, chcking for anyone he might know among those present. The

invitation had been to all four officers from the Princess Cecile: Midshipmen Dorst and Vesey, and First

Lieutenant Conn Medorn, who not coincidentally was the nephew of Admiral Keith.

The Princess Cecile's signals officer, Adele Mundy, had been invited also--but not because she

was an RCN warrant officer. Adele was Mundy of Chatsworth, head and sole survivor of one of the

most noble families in the Republic. Her father--before his execution for treason--had been leader of the

Popular Party. That was the territory if not precisely the title which Bruno Kearnes appeared to have

marked for his own.

Daniel didn't see any of his fellows from the Sissie, but there was plenty of room in this swirling

crowd to get lost. Besides, Daniel hadn't come here to find shipmates....

The small orchestra in the loft above the balcony swung into a polacca. Couples who weren't up

to the lively music left the dance floor in the center of the enormous hall, but others took their place.

A portly banker with investments in shipbuilding remained with the younger couples, however; he
danced with an enthusiasm that made up for his limited skills. His partner was probably closer to his

granddaughter's age than that of his daughter. She complemented the banker's steps perfectly, just as the

tiara of sapphires she wore complemented her blue eyes.

And those blue eyes caught Daniel's across the room as she dipped and spun.

Much of the Republic's wealth and beauty was here tonight. Daniel Leary could have any share