"Edward L. Ferman - Best From F&SF, 23rd Edition" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ferman Edward L)

Amanda sat back sipping her coffee with a contented smile. "I hope your business isn't suffering
because of all the time you've spent on me."
"I'd suffer if I couldn't spend time on you."
She smiled. "You're very gallant. Oh, look."
She pointed out the window at a passing group who were sporting a rainbow of fanciful hair colors
and wearing leotards and tights beneath coats thrown casually around their shoulders.
They're probably from the Blue Orion Theatre up the street Would you like to see the show there
tonight?"
тАЬIтАЩd love to." She looked at me through her lashes. "I can't think when I've enjoyed another man's
company as much as yours."
She was almost drowned out by a rising tide of babble at the door. I looked around to see the group
from the street pouring into the cafe in loud and animated conversation with each other. One of them, a
tall lithe man with hair, eye shadow, and fingernails striped fuchsia and lavender, broke off from the group
and headed toward us with a grin.
"Selene, love," he said. "What a delightful surprise."
Amanda recoiled.
My chair scraped back as I stood up. "Who are you?"
He stopped, bunking at me. He looked at Amanda's horrified expression and frowned uncertainly.
"TeddyтАФahтАФthat isтАФGerald Theodore. Selene and I were dancing partners and cohabs in London
three years ago."
"I'm not Selene," Amanda whispered.
 The dancer raised a brow. "Ah-I see. You're the other one." He grinned at me. "You know, all those
months Selene and I were together, if I hadn't already known about her, I'd never have guessedтАФ"
"Matthew, I'd like to leave." Amanda fumbled for her cape.
I helped her to her feet and into her cape. With a hand under her elbow, I guided her out of the Beta
Cygnus, leaving the dancer staring open-mouthed after us.
I flagged a cab to take us back to the cabletrain station. Amanda said nothing for the entire ride, just
sat staring at her hands clenched in her lap. I put an arm around her. She stiffened momentarily at my
touch, then buried her face against my shoulder. At the station, waiting for the train to come in, she sat up
and began pushing at her hair.
"Fm sorry. I know it seems an inconsequential thing to go to pieces about, but every time I meet one
of Selene's friends I feel like spiders are crawling over me. They're all so ... grotesque." Amanda
shuddered. "I don't know how she can actually live with such creatures. I suppose it's her nature. I've
never let a man touch me, but sheтАФshell have any man who strikes her fancy, just like her mother."
I felt my brows hop. Her voice was almost vicious in tone.
"My father could have been President but for Margot Randall. The woman was rapacious, vulgar,
egocentric, and totally amoral. She nearly drove my father mad before he realized there was no helping
her."
I was disturbed by her vehemence and the implied criticism of Selene. "You don't know Selene is like
that," I said in what I intended to be a soothing voice. "You've never met her."
"IтАЩve met her friends."
That ended the subject for her. She was quiet the remaining ride home. She reached for my hand
after a few minutes, though, and held it, squeezing a bit from time to time. I was content.
At the cabin she said, "I'm sorry I was poor company."
"That's ail right. Do you feel better now?"
She gave me a faint smile. "Some. You're a wonderful man, Matthew. If I didn't feel like Selene is
leering over my shoulder, I'd kiss you good-night. Another time I will. Please call me tomorrow."
I drove on home wishing I could have stayed. I wondered what Selene would have to say about the
incident.
Selene laughed. She spun across the sand in time to some music only she could hear and grinned