"Martha Wells - Thorns" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wells Martha)

"If that's so, then you shouldn't be speaking to me at all," I pointed out.

He ignored that. The aristocracy feel they can take or leave manners at will, but let some poor baronet
take that attitude with them, and they stiffen up like pokers. He said, "I fear I must apologize, Madame. It
seems I insulted you at dinner." He hadn't liked being made to look a fool, and he was determined to bait
me. I gazed at him from under lowered lids. "It seems you did. But if the thought of an apology frightens
you, you would be ill-advised to continue on your present course."

"What course is that, Madame?" He spoke heartily, the attitude of a young man jollying along a
cantankerous old lady. I disliked him, for all his blond curls and trim body; I had better princes than this,
in my prime.

The other ladies were watching us, though the men in the room remained oblivious. The blood is thin
now, after all these generations, and it is easy for them to forget, as Dearing had. Electra was so nervous
she fluttered like a moth.

I said, "Why, whatever course a foreign noble pursues in our fair country."

"The course of justice, Madame," he said, eyeing me in a sort of grim satisfaction. "Only that."

At the end of the evening, little Master Matthew escaped from the nursery long enough to upset the tea
tray on Kohler's fashionable breeches. In the ensuing confusion I rewarded the child with a sweet cake.

***

I retired shortly after that, or tried to. Dearing came up briefly to apologize for allowing the dinner
conversation to stray to such a sensitive area for our family. I let it pass; I don't think he truly understood
Kohler's purpose in coming here, and to most of the household my exploits are only stories, not truly to
be believed.

Several of my younger great grand-nieces who fancied themselves my heirs in power came to offer
various plots and plans for distracting or disposing of Kohler. One was of such a risque nature that I was
quite impressed, though I reminded the child that enthusiasm was no substitute for experience and talent.
After dispensing solace and censure as it was required, I sent them all away, and drew out my mirror to
watch our illustrious guest.

He sat with the other men for a long time, until the lamps guttered and a servant was sent for to attend to
them. They busied themselves with cards and brandy, though our Prince did not imbibe to excess, as the
others did.

Finally Dearing called an end to it, and they stumbled toward the stairs. I paused to stretch; my fingers
were cramped from clutching the mirror so tightly. It had been a long day, and I anticipated a long night. I
had no way to know whether Kohler would wait the few hours till morning and take his leave of Dearing
as if he intended nothing else, or if he would leave the house sometime after the others retired. I would
simply have to watch, and wait.

There was a knock at the door of my parlor. I ignored it. The servants knew better than to disturb me
and I had no wish to talk to any other member of the household. Then I heard the door ease open.