"Sean Russell - River Into Darkness 1 - Beneath the Vaunted Hills" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Sean)

almost impossible. Somewhat more entertaining than anything Erasmus had seen, but then his exploration of
the brothel had been cut rather short.

They arrived at ErasmusтАЩ town home and were let in by his man servant, Stokes, who looked askance at
this young vagabond Erasmus had brought home.

After Stokes had found Hayes some clothing and let him clean
up, they met in ErasmusтАЩ study on the second floor. тАЬI will tell you, Hayes, you look like youтАЩve survived
the war.тАЭ

тАЬDo excuse me, Erasmus, IтАФI appreciate you taking me in like this.тАЭ

тАЬYes, well, come and sit by the fire and warm yourself.тАЭ Erasmus motioned to his servant. тАЬBrandy
would seem to be in order. And coffee. Will that answer?тАЭ he asked Hayes, who nodded.

Erasmus took the second chair. тАЬI think you should tell me whatтАЩs happened, Hayes. There will be time
for pleasantries later.тАЭ

The young man nodded, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs as though to bring some feeling into
them. He stared into the fire, martialing his thoughts.

The young Samual that Erasmus remembered was barely detectable in the man seated before him. The
good-natured, apple-cheeked child was gone, and in his place was someone leaner and harder. The
bones of his face showed through, as though hardship had caused his skeleton to expand and strengthen.
This young man looked like he could stand up to some adversity, which no doubt he already had.

тАЬ1 donтАЩt need to acquaint you with my recent family history, Erasmus. Suffice it to say that, since leaving
Merton, IтАЩve been living inтАж one of the cityтАЩs more picturesque quarters.тАЭ Hayes shook his head as
though he could not quite credit his memory. тАЬI came home this night to find my rooms had been invaded
byтАж well, my neighbors claimed they were navy men. And I was pursued by others and only managed
to escape by pure luck.тАЭ He looked up at Erasmus. тАЬ1 really had no place to go. No friend good enough
to burden with my troubles.тАЭ

тАЬDonтАЩt worry, Samual, youтАЩre both safe and welcome. There are one or two advantages to having a
brother whoтАЩs a duke. You havenтАЩt any notion of why these men were in your rooms, I take it?тАЭ

Hayes shook his head. тАЬNone.тАЭ

тАЬAnd youтАЩre sure they were men from the Admiralty? You saw uniforms?тАЭ

тАЬNo, but the people in that quarter of the city have an uncanny ability to spot the representatives of the
Crown no matter what their dress. If they say they were navy men, I would wager all 1 have they were
right. Not that it would be much of a wager, IтАЩm afraid.тАЭ

Stokes appeared just then with coffee and brandies. Erasmus

wanted to reassure Hayes that his life would not always be thus, but by the time Stokes left, the moment
had passed.

тАЬWell, perhaps it is a case of mistaken identity.тАЭ Erasmus stared at Hayes, who gazed fixedly down into