"Mercedes Lackey - Firebird" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

Out in the dark, smoky hall, more men gathered around the struggling dogs,
shouting and waving their fists in the air to encourage their chosen hound. The
growling and yelping dogs had everyone's attention now, despite Feodora's
expression of distaste. She would probably be leaving the table soon, permitting her
ladies to follow her, but it would be noted if any of the men left this early.
A moment later, the tsarina rose and all but fled the room, her two women and her
servants scuttling after her. That was the signal for every other wife and daughter to
leave as well. Now, except for serf-girls with pitchers of drink, there were only men
in the hall. The dogfight was an even one, and had gone on longer than Ilya had
expected; it might prove to be just the distraction he'd been hoping for. Now Mischa
and Alexi had left their seats, and even Ivan leaned over the table, intent on the
outcome. Only Sasha yawned lazily and ignored the affray.
I won't get a better opportunity than this one. Ilya decided to take his chances
and slipped out of his chair. At just the moment that he stood up, Sasha stabbed him
with a swift glance.
Ilya took another chance, and leaned over to whisper in his brother's ear. If it had
been anyone other than Sasha, he wouldn't have dared, but he and Sasha shared a
weakness for women that occasionally made them allies.
"I've got a girl waiting," he said hoarsely.
Sasha seized his wrist in a crushing grip. "Not the laundress," he replied
challengingly.
 Ilya shook his headтАФminimally, so as to avoid catching Ivan's notice.
"Dairymaid," he mouthed. "New one."
"Must be the season for new girls." Sasha let him go with a sly wink.
"I've got to piss or I'll burst!" his brother said loudly, and lurched to his feet,
waving to Ilya to follow.
Ilya did so, grateful that Sasha's weakness for girls was so powerful, he was
willing to forget any quarrel. Once they were out in the hallway and the noise of the
dogfight faded, Sasha let out a burst of laughter and slapped him on the back hard
enough to make him stagger if he hadn't been ready for it. "I was waiting for you to
start watching the damn fight so I could sneak away!" he chortled, very pleased with
himself. "You know if the old man saw us trying to sneak out, he'd want a piece for
himself!"
"Laundress at moonrise?" Ilya asked. "In the laundry?" The laundry made a very
convenient place for Sasha to meet his girls, and the convenience was matched by
the comfort of tumbling on the piles of soiled linens and clothing.
Sasha shook his head. "One of Feodora's maids, in the wool-shed."
Ilya whistled. "That's coming pretty near to Mischa's ground, isn't it?" he asked,
amazed that Sasha dared even think about "poaching."
"Well, Mischa can get used to it," the other replied with bravadoтАФand Ilya had
the feeling that it wasn't all bluff. So Sasha is going to challenge the heir-apparent.
Well, better him than me.
"As for me, I'm taking advantage of the fact that it is still pleasant at night," he
said, soothingly. "It won't be long before I have to get into the cow-barn with them
and bundle in the hayloft under whatever blankets and old furs I can find."
"The more fool you for not keeping your girls on the string when they come into
the palace," said Sasha smugly, and slapped Ilya on the shoulder so that he
staggered a little. "Well, good hunting among the cows! I'm off to my little bundle of
fleece."
They parted ways. Ilya did not go directly to the door leading to the kitchen-court