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

УSunburn me!Ф he said. УThat answers as you deserve!Ф

Somerset visibly made an effort to collect his wits. УI am most sorry, MissЧФ he began.

George laughed again. УBy heaven, weТll watch our words hereafter!Ф

Claire tittered. УI was in suspense, wondering if there would be a mishap. And there was, there was!Ф

George turned to Mary and managed to compose his face into an attitude of solemnity, though the amusement that danced in his eyes denied it.

УI sincerely apologize on behalf of us all, Miss Godwin. We are soldiers and are accustomed to speaking rough among ourselves, and have been abroad and are doubtless ignorant of the true worth of any individualЧФ He searched his mind for a moment, trying to work out a graceful way to conclude. УЧoutside of our own little circle,Ф he finished.

УWell said,Ф said Mary, Уand accepted.Ф She had chosen more interesting ground on which to make her stand.

УOh yes!Ф said Claire. УWell said indeed!Ф

УMy mother is not much understood by the public,Ф Mary continued. УBut intellectual women, it would seem, are not much understood by you.Ф

George leaned away from Mary and scanned her with cold eyes. УOn the contrary,Ф he said. УI am married to an intellectual woman.Ф

УAnd she, I imagineЕФ Mary let the pause hang in the air for a moment, like a rapier before it strikes home. УЕ resides in England?Ф

George scowled. УShe does.Ф

УIТm sure she has her books to keep her company.Ф

УAnd Francis Bacon,Ф George said, his voice sour. УAnnabella is an authority on Francis Bacon. And she is welcome to reform him, if she likes.Ф

Mary smiled at him. УWho keeps you company, my lord?Ф

There was a stir among his friends. He gave her that insolent, under-eyed look again.

УI am not often lonely,Ф he said.

УTonight you will rest with the ghost of Napoleon,Ф she said. УWhich of you has better claim to that bed?Ф

George gave a cold little laugh. УI believe that was decided at Waterloo.Ф

УThe DukeТs victory, or so IТve heard.Ф

GeorgeТs friends were giving each other alarmed looks. Mary decided she had drawn enough Byron blood. She took a piece of cheese.

УTell us about Waterloo!Ф Claire insisted. УIs it far from here?Ф

УThe field is a mile or so north,Ф said Somerset. He seemed relieved to turn to the subject of battles. УI had thought perhaps you were English tourists come to visit the site.Ф

УOur arrival is coincidence,Ф Bysshe said. He was looking at Mary narrow-eyed, as if he was trying to work something out. УIТm somewhat embarrassed for funds, and IТm in hope of finding a letter at Brussels from myЧФ He began to say Уwife,Ф but changed the word to Уfamily.Ф

УWeТre on our way to Vienna,Ф Smith said.