"Stasheff, Christopher - Warlock 04 - The Warlock Enraged" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stasheff Christopher)

face had mellowed to its usual careworn warmth, and leaped
to hug him in relief. "Papa!" Magnus cried, and "Daddy!"
Geoffrey piped; Cordelia only clung to his arm and sobbed,
while Gregory hugged the other arm, and looked up gravely.
"Daddy, thou hast come back again."

Rod looked into the sober gaze of his youngest, and
somehow suspected that the child wasn't just talking about
his coming through the door.

"Oh, Papa," Cordelia sniffled, "I do like thee so much
better when thou'rt Papa, than when thou'rt Lord Kern!"

Rod felt a chill along his spine, but he clasped her shoul-
der and pressed her against his hip. "I don't blame you,
dear. I'm sure his children feel the same way." He looked
up over the children's heads, at Puck. "Thanks, Robin."

"Now, there's a fair word!" Puck grinned. "Yet I mis-
doubt me an thou wilt have more such; for there's one who
doth attend thee." He jerked his head toward the kitchen.

"A messenger?" Rod looked up, frowning. "Waiting in-
side the house?... Toby!"

A dapper gentleman in his mid-twenties came into the
room, running a finger over a neatly trimmed mustache.
Hose clung to well-turned calves, and his doublet was re-
splendent with embroidery. "Hail, Lord Warlock!"

Gwen's face blossomed with a smile, and even Rod had
to fight a grin, faking a groan. "Hail, harbinger! What's the
disaster?"

"Nay, for once, the King doth summon thee whiles it's
yet a minor matter."

"Minor." The single word was loaded with skepticism.
Rod turned to Gwen. "Why does that worry me more than
his saying, 'Emergency?'"

" 'Tis naught but experience," Gwen assured him. "Shall
I 'company thee?"

"I'd appreciate it," Rod sighed. "If it's a 'minor' matter,
that means social amenities firstЧand you know how
Catharine and I don't get along."

"Indeed I do." Gwen looked quite pleased with herself.
Catharine the Queen may have spread her net for Rod, but