"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 15 - Spectrum of a Forgotten Sun" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

shimmering fabric of her high-necked gown her figure held the lithe
grace of a feline. Her breasts, high and firm, were taut beneath the fabric
above a cinctured waist, the long skirt falling over neatly rounded hips
and thighs. A woman who carried little excessive fat, one whose
metabolism would burn up energy as fast as it was ingested. One of
indeterminate age, not young, but far from old. One, he guessed, who
had lived hard and fastтАФas if to crowd two lifetimes into one. And she
had the ingrained arrogance of a person born to the power and privilege
of wealth.

Lowering the glass she met his eyes. Bluntly she said, "Well, Earl, do
you like what you see?"

"Is that important, my lady?"

"No, but something else is. When you first entered this room I was
watching your reflection in the window. You thought you recognised me.
Correct?"

"You reminded me of someone."

"A woman?" She didn't wait for an answer. "It would have to be a
woman. One with red hair, obviously, but redder than mine?" Her hand
lifted to touch it and again light threw brilliance from her nails.
Splintered reflections from metal inserts each honed to a razor edge and
needle point. Talons Dumarest had seen before tipping the fingers of
harlots plying an ancient trade. "Earl?" She was insistent. "What was her
name? The woman I reminded you of, what was her name?"

"I've forgotten." A lieтАФhe would never forget; but the subject was a
dangerous one. Quickly he changed it. "I was told that you could ransom
me if I agreed to help you. The guard is waiting."

"Let him wait."

"For how long, my lady?"

"Until I have decided. Until you have agreed."

"Agreed to what?"

She smiled and shook her head, a tress of hair falling to veil one eye, a
strand which she lifted and replaced among the rest.
 "My lady!"

"Why be so impatient, Earl? What waits for you if you leave this
room? Do you prefer a cell? And afterwards the auction block and a life
of contract-slavery? Or to be taken and hidden away and used by those
who are not known to be gentle?"