"Robb, J D - In Death 03 - Immortal in Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robb J D)

"She's dug in on this one," Mavis commented. "Like Roarke would notice a few
thousand credits."
"That's not the point -- "
"No, indeed not." Leonardo smiled again. "Well, we'll manage. Color? I don't
think white, too stark for your skin tone."
Pursing his lips, he went to his palette key and experimented. Fascinated
despite herself, Eve watched the sketch turn from snowy white to cream, to pale
blue, to vivid green and a rainbow between. Though Mavis oohed and ahed over
several choices, he only shook his head.
He settled on bronze.
"This. Yes, oh yes. Your skin, your eyes, your hair. You'll be radiant,
majestic. A goddess. With it you'll need a necklace, at least thirty-inch
length. Better yet, two lengths, twenty-four and thirty inches. Copper, I think,
with colored stones. Rubies, citrine, onyx. Yes, yes, and carnelian, perhaps
some tourmaline. You'll speak to Roarke about the accessories."
Clothes never meant a damn to her, but Eve caught herself yearning. "It's
beautiful," she said cautiously and began to calculate her credit situation.
"I'm just not sure. You know, silk... It's a little out of my range."
"You'll have the dress at my cost, and for a promise." He enjoyed watching the
wariness come into her eyes. "That I will be allowed to design Mavis's dress as
your attendant, and you will use my designs for your trousseau."
"I haven't thought about a trousseau. I've got clothes."
"Lieutenant Dallas has clothes," he corrected. "Roarke's partner in marriage
will need others."
"Maybe we can make a deal." She wanted that damn dress, she realized. She could
feel it on her.
"Wonderful. Take off your clothes."
She snapped back like a spring. "Okay, asshole -- "
"For the measurements," Leonardo said quickly. The look in her eye had him
rising, stepping back. He was a man who adored women, and understood their
wrath. In other words, he feared them. "You must consider me as you would your
health provider. I can't design the dress properly until I know your body. I'm
an artist, and a gentleman," he said with dignity. "But Mavis can stay if you
feel uneasy."
Eve tilted her head. "I can handle you, pal. If you get out of line, even think
about it, you'll find out for yourself."
"I'm sure of it." Cautiously he picked up a device. "My scanner," he explained.
"It will measure you very accurately. But you have to be naked for a true
reading."
"Stop snickering, Mavis. Go get us some more of that tea."
"Sure. I've already seen you naked, anyway." Blowing kisses to Leonardo, she
headed off.
"I have other ideas... about clothes," Leonardo said when Eve narrowed her eyes.
"The underfoundation for the dress, of course. Evening and day wear, the formal,
the casual. Your honeymoon is where?"
"I don't know. I haven't thought about it." Resigned, she took off her shoes,
unhitched her jeans.
"Roarke will surprise you then. Computer, create file, Dallas, first doc,
measurements, coloring, height, and weight." After she'd tossed her shirt aside,
he stepped forward with the scanner. "Feet together please. Height, five foot