"Justine Larbalestier - Strange Horizons - The Cruel Brother" - читать интересную книгу автора (Larbalestier Justine)

Hans grinned, knowing Greta liked the way his lips shaped into a smile, and
reached up for her hand. "Just a few more times. Just once or twice when
there's none about and there's only chance bringing you and me amongst the
hay or--"


"Shush your mouth. You know it won't do." But Greta smiled, and did not take
her hand away, or resist, as Hans pulled her closer, and began unlacing her all
over again.


"Perhaps," she whispered into his ear, and yet she thought, We must not, we
can't. . . . But the thought trailed away. She said nothing, only opening her
mouth for more kisses.


The next morning, wiping the mouths of her youngest brothers and sisters,
working the dough, feeding the hens, Greta sought to gather the strength to tell
Hans no for a final time. He was in the fields with their father and uncles and the
other men. Not having him there in front of her, not feeling his eyes upon her or
his arms around her, she felt sure she could tell him no. She could tell him to find
a bride, to look to another for what they'd had together.


All day Greta steeled herself and practiced and practiced it over in her head;
picturing how she must approach Hans and what she should say. If she did not
imagine him too closely, it was easily done, but when she thought about the
length of his eyelashes, the feel of his breath on her neck, then her thoughts
went awry and she could tell him nought but what he wanted to hear. She made
her excuses to be away at midday meal, so as not to see him. Come sundown
and the evening meal, she had it shaped fine in her head, and could tell him how
it should be, even imagining his eyes on hers, and the pleading that was in them,
and still keep her no firm, and her shawl about her.


After all had eaten, and the girls had cleared and scraped and cleaned, Greta and
her brother Hans went walking. Greta kept her distance and shied away when he
made to move a little closer. She kept her head low and let him talk of this and
that till his tone grew serious. "So what is it that's keeping my sister so quiet?"


"Oh," said Greta, "The same as ever. This thing of you and me. We must stop
and you must get yourself a wife. You are full grown and handsome and
well-to-do, thanks to her who is no longer. You have to find a wife."


"Find a wife, you say. So you're setting me a task. If I find myself a wife,
then. . ."