"Vance, Jack - Elder Isles 03 - Madouc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

At this time Madouc still knew nothing of her true parentage. She believed herself the daughter of Suldrun: so she had been assured; why should it be otherwise? Even so, there were discordant elements in the accounts presented by Queen Sollace and the ladies appointed to train her in court etiquette. These were Lady Desdea and Lady Marmone. Madouc disliked and distrusted both; each thought to change her in one way or an other, despite MadoucТs resolve to remain as she was.
Madouc was now about nine years old, restless and active, long of leg, with a boyТs thin body and a girlТs clever pretty face. Sometimes she confined her mop of copper-gold curls with a black ribbon; as often as she allowed it to tumble helter-skelter across her forehead and over her ears. Her eyes were a melting sky-blue, her mouth was wide, and jerked, twisted or drooped to the flux of her feelings. Madouc was considered unruly and willful; the words СfantasticalТ, СperverseТ, СincorrigibleТ, were sometimes used to describe her temperament.

When Casmir first discovered the facts of MadoucТs birth, his immediate reaction was shock, then incredulity, then fury so extreme that it might have gone badly for Madouc had her neck been within reach of CasmirТs hands. When he became calm, he saw that he had no choice but to put a good face on the situation; in not too many years Madouc no doubt could be married advantageously.

Casmir departed the Room of Sighs and returned toward his private chambers. The route led him across the back elevation of the KingТs Tower, where the corridor became a cloistered way overlooking the service yard from a height of twelve feet or so.

Arriving at the portal which gave on the cloisters, Casmir stopped short at the sight of Madouc. She stood in one of the arched openings, poised on tiptoe so that she could peer over the balustrade down into the service yard.

Casmir paused to watch, frowning in that mixture of suspicion and displeasure which Madouc and her activities often aroused
in him. He now took note that on the balustrade beside MadoucТs elbow rested a bowl of rotten quinces, one of which she held delicately in her hand.

As Casmir watched she drew back her arm and threw the quince at a target in the yard below. She watched for an instant, then drew back, choking with laughter.

Casmir marched forward. He loomed above her. УWhat mischief do you now contrive?Ф

Madouc jerked around in startlement, and stood wordlessly, head tilted back, mouth half open. Casmir peered down through the arch into the service yard. Below stood Lady Desdea, staring up in a fury, while she wiped fragments of quince from her neck and bodice, her stylish tricorn hat askew. At the sight of King Casmir looking down from above, her face sagged in astonishment. For a moment she stood frozen into immobility. Then, dropping a perfunctory curtsey, she settled her hat and hurried across the yard into the castle.

Casmir slowly drew back. He looked down at Madouc. УWhy did you throw fruit at Lady Desdea?Ф

Madouc said artlessly: УIt was because Lady Desdea came past first, before Lady Marmone.Ф

УThat is not relevant to the issue!Ф snapped King Casmir. УAt this moment Lady Desdea believes that I pelted her with bad fruit.Ф

Madouc nodded soberly. УIt may be all for the best. She will take the reprimand more seriously than if it came mysteriously, as if from nowhere.Ф

УIndeed? And what are her faults, that she deserves such a bitter reproach?Ф

Madouc looked up in wonder, her eyes wide and blue. УIn the main, Sire, she is tiresome beyond endurance and drones on forever. At the same time, she is sharp as a fox, and sees around corners. Also, if you can believe it, she insists that I learn to sew a fine seam!Ф

УBah!Ф muttered Casmir, already bored with the subject. УYour conduct is in clear need of correction. You must throw no more fruit!Ф

Madouc scowled and shrugged. УFruit is nicer than other stuffs. I well believe that Lady Desdea would prefer fruit.Ф

УThrow no other stuffs either. A royal princess expresses displeasure more graciously.Ф

Madouc considered a moment. УWhat if these stuffs should fall of their own weight?Ф

УYou must allow no substances, either vile, or hurtful, or noxious, or of any sort whatever, to fall, or depart from your control, toward Lady Desdea. In short, desist from these activ ities!Ф

Madouc pursed her mouth in dissatisfaction; it seemed as if King Casmir would yield neither to logic nor persuasion. Madouc wasted no more words. УJust so, Your Majesty.Ф

King Casmir surveyed the service yard once again, then continued on his way. Madouc lingered a moment, then followed the king along the passage.


CHAPTER Two

MadoucТs assumptions were incorrect. The event in the service yard had strongly affected Lady Desdea, but not instantly was she prompted to alter her philosophical bent, nor, by extension, her methods for teaching Madouc. As Lady Desdea hurried along the dim corridors of Castle Haidion, she felt only a great be wilderment. She asked herself: УHow have I erred? What was my fault, that I have so incited His Majesty? Above all, why should he signal his disfavor in such an extraordinary manner? Is there some symbolism here which evades me? Surely he has recognized the diligent and selfless work I have done with the princess! It is truly most odd!Ф

Lady Desdea came into the Great Hall, and a new suspicion entered her mind. She stopped short. УDoes the matter conceivably go deeper? Am I perhaps the victim of intrigue? What other explanation is possible. Or-to think the unthinkable- does His Majesty find me personally repugnant? True enough, my semblance is one of stateliness and refinement, rather than a simpering teasing coquetry, as might be practiced by some paltry little frippet, all paste and perfume and amorous contortion. But surely any gentleman of discernment must notice my inner beauty, which derives from maturity and nobility of spirit!Ф