"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 09 - Mayenne" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

cold about him, something remote; he would offer little sport. Polite, yes, and with
time it would be possible to arouse his passion, but he lacked the ability of quick
interplay, and while it would be amusing to shatter his reserve, it would take a
patience she didn't possess. Ilgazt Bitola? He was young with a foppish manner of
dress and his face held a certain weakness which she had long since learned to
recognize. He would be willing to amuse her and yet the conquest would be too
easy. Who then?

Her eyes drifted toward the table at which the three men sat. She dismissed
Daroca at once, he was too world-wise, too cynical and, perhaps, too cautious to
respond to her bait. The entrepreneur was too gross. Dumarest?

Softly she said, "Tell me, Hera, could you defeat that man?"

"In combat, my lady?"

"Naturally, what else?"

"Perhaps, my lady. It is something I would prefer not to put to the test."

"Afraid, Hera?"

The gibe was too obvious and the girl too transparent to arouse anger. Quietly
she said, "My lady, I am to deliver you safe and unsullied to your husband to be. If
it becomes necessary I will kill to achieve that aim. And there is no man alive of
whom I am afraid."

Lolis could believe it. The amazon was trained and incredibly strong, a fitting
guard for such as herself. A man she could have seduced, but not Hera, and the
woman was dedicated to her profession. Yet it was amusing to tease her.

She rose and stretched, accentuating the curves of her body. At the gaming table
Ilgazt Bitola watched and called an invitation.

"Are you going to join us, my lady?"

"Gambling bores me," she said. "And I am already bored."

"So?" He was eager to please. "Perhaps that could be cured? An examination of
the vessel, for example. Just you and I. Alone."

"I have already seen the ship."

"But not all of it, my lady," he insisted. "There is an unusual beast in the hold and
one well worth your attention. I am sure the handler will not object." He let a stream
of coins fall ringingly from his hand. "I have the means to persuade him if you
agree."

She shrugged and turned away so as to face the three men sitting over their wine.
Smiling, she approached them. Daroca courteously rose. "My lady?"