"Eric Flint - 1634 - The Galileo Affair" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flint Eric)

Richelieu closed his eyes again for another breath. "But I must broach a sensitive subject," he said, and
turned back to look out at the dishwater sky.

Richelieu said nothing for some time, and it was Mazarini who broke the silence. He knew it was a trap,
a trick he used himself. To break a silence without disadvantage was a delicate business.

"Sensitive?" he asked.

Richelieu, turning, saw Mazarini's raised eyebrow and smiled. "Monsignor, you are the man I crossed
wits with at Lyons three years ago, not so? Perhaps I might be candid.Sub rosa , and the understanding
between us that neither shall bear rancor for what passes here today?"

"Oh, surely." Mazarini permitted himself a broad smile. "Do any of those who were present at Lyon bear
rancor?"

Richelieu's face missed not a beat, segueing into a worldly, knowing chuckle. "Ah, yes. Two of my
dupes. I am sure that neither bear any rancor, where they are now. I feel sure they have more burning
concerns."

Mazarini was impressed by that. Discussing the execution of two men who had been to all appearances
his faithful allies, Richelieu actually twinkled. "Perhaps, Cardinal. But you were mentioning candor?"

Rubbing it in to begin with would not hurt. After all, the cardinal had asked specifically that neither party
take offense. Mazarini harked back to what Cardinal Maurice of Savoy had told him about Richelieu:He
must be made to feel that the decision depends on him alone . And there was little to achieve that
better than an initial resistance.

"Candor, yes." Richelieu's eyes grew hooded. "I have something quite outlandish to suggest."

"I am sure, Your Eminence, that this roomтАФ" Mazarini waved at a wall at random "тАФand Servien back
there has heard more outlandish propositions these last few weeks. And will again. Does not the
delegation from Grantville arrive here in a few weeks?"

Richelieu smiled thinly. "Etienne is behind there," he said, pointing at the wall opposite that at which
Mazarini had waved. "He and his clerk take notes. So much more discreet a man than his cousin at the
Ministry of War."

Mazarini noted that Richelieu had neither confirmed nor denied what the Holy See's spies claimed to
have discovered. "And Your Eminence's proposition?"

"Do you read English?"

"Very well, of late."

"Perhaps I might trouble youтАФ" Richelieu opened a cabinet and took out a thick volume fringed with
ribbon bookmarks, "тАФto read the passage I have marked."
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