"Walter Jon Williams - Wall, Stone, Craft" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

УAnd the damage to your reputation in societyЧ Ф he began, and came up short when she burst into laughter. He looked severe, while the monkey mocked him from his shoulder. УYou may laugh now, Miss Godwin, but there are those who will use this adventure against you. Political enemies of your father at the very least.Ф

УThat isnТt why I was laughing. I am the daughter of William Godwin and Mary WollstonecraftЧI have no reputation! ItТs like being the natural daughter of Lucifer and the Scarlet Woman of Babylon. Nothing is expected of us, nothing at all. Society has given us license to do as we please. We were dead to them from birth.Ф

He gave her a narrow look. УBut you have at least a little concern for the proprietiesЧwhy else travel pseudonymously?Ф

Mary looked at him in surprise. УWhat dТyou mean?Ф

He smiled. УGive me a little credit, Miss Godwin. When you call your sister Jane half the time, and your protector calls you May ЕФ

Mary laughed again. УThe MaieЧMaie for shortЧis one of ByssheТs pet names for me. The other is Pecksie.Ф

УOh.Ф

УAnd Jane is my sisterТs given name, which she has always hated. Last year she decided to call herself Clara or ClaireЧthis week it is Claire.Ф

Jerome Bonaparte began to yank at GeorgeТs ear, and George made a face, pulled the monkey from his shoulder, and shook it with mock ferocity. Again he spoke in the cracked Scots dowagerТs voice. УAre ye sae donsie wicked, creeture? Tae Elba wТye!Ф

Mary burst into laughter again. George gave her a careless grin, then returned the monkey to his shoulder. It sat and regarded Mary with bright, wise eyes.

УMiss Godwin, I am truly concerned for you, believe else of me what you will.Ф

MaryТs laughter died away. She took the candle from his hand. УPlease, my lord. My sister and I are perfectly safe in Mr. ShelleyТs company.Ф

УYou will not accept my protection? I will freely give it.Ф

УWe do not need it. I thank you.Ф

УWill you not take a loan, then? To see you safe across the Channel? Mr. Shelley may pay me back if he is ever in funds.Ф

Mary shook her head.

A little of the old insolence returned to GeorgeТs expression. УWell. I have done what I could.Ф

УGood night, Lord Newstead.Ф

УGood night.Ф

Mary readied herself for bed and climbed atop the soft mattress. She tried to read her Italian grammar, but the sounds coming up the stairway were a distraction. There was loud conversation, and singing, and then ClaireТs fine voice, unaccompanied, rising clear and sweet up the narrow stair.

Torcere, Mary thought, looking fiercely at her book, attorcere, rattorcere, scontorcere, torcere.

Twist. Twist, twist, twist, twist.

Claire finished, and there was loud applause. Bysshe came in shortly afterwards. His eyes sparkled and his color was high. УWe were singing,Ф he said.

УI heard.Ф

УI hope we didnТt disturb you.Ф He began to undress.