"Laurell K. Hamilton - Ravenloft - Death of a Darklord" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Laurell K)

тАЭItтАЩs in the wardrobe.тАЭ

Konrad moved to the tall, oaken wardrobe that stood against the far wall. He opened the carved doors.
Clothes were neatly folded on the many shelves; dresses and a blue robe hung on pegs to one side of the
shelves. He pulled the robe out and handed it to Elaine.

тАЭTurn around, please.тАЭ

тАЭBlaine has only one good arm. Do you really think he will be able to lift you so you can dress?тАЭ

тАЭI will dress myself,тАЭ she said.

Konrad gave a soft snort. тАЭYou are too weak.тАЭ

She clutched the robe in her arms. тАЭTurn around.тАЭ It was an order. Konrad sighed, but turned his back,
arms crossed over his chest. His straight back said plainly that he considered it all very silly. Elaine raised
herself on her arms, elbows locked. Her arms shook slightly with the effort. Her lips were a narrow line,
breath held. The white gown she wore covered her more than some dresses Blaine had seen her in, but
that wasnтАЩt the point. He didnтАЩt understand why a thick gown was more shameful than a low-necked
dress, but it was to most women. Or at least to Elaine. He knew better than to argue.

He held the robe out so that one arm was partially open for her. Elaine leaned her back against the
headboard, using it to prop herself up. She shoved one arm into the sleeve. He shifted as far as he could
to tuck the sleeve on her shoulder. Pain stabbed up his leg. He fell back in the chair, gasping. тАЭIf you
would let me help, we could be headed downstairs by now,тАЭ Konrad said.

тАЭNo,тАЭ Elaine said. Her voice was loud, but breathy.

тАЭModesty is a virtue, Elaine, but this is ridiculous. Let me turn around.тАЭ

тАЭNo!тАЭ

It began to dawn on Blaine, for the very first time, that Elaine wasnтАЩt this careful around any other man in
the house, including the servants. Blaine was sometimes slow on such things, but once an idea hit him, it
didnтАЩt leave. Elaine liked Konrad.

Blaine glanced from the manтАЩs stiff back to Elaine struggling into her robe.

Konrad was a widower, able to marry again. He supposed that Konrad was handsome;

Blaine had just never considered him in that way. Certainly not as a prospective husband for his sister.
HeтАЩd never considered any man as that. Elaine lay back, gasping, on the pillows, the blue robe pulled
tight over her chest. Her blue-green eyes stood out fever-bright against her pale skin. Her light wavy hair
fell around her face like a golden curtain. She looked almost ethereal. With a shock that went all the way
down to his toes, Blaine realized his sister was beautiful. It was a shock, and almost frightening. How had
he never noticed?

The question was, had Konrad noticed? He had never seen any sign that the tall warrior thought of
Elaine in that way. Of course, until today heтАЩd never thought of her that way, either.
тАЭCan I turn around now?тАЭ KonradтАЩs voice was thick with scorn.