"Raymond E. Feist - Empire Saga 1 - Daughter Of The Empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

Low sunlight through the screen underscored the firmness of her features as she focused once more upon
Mara. 'Until you learn your own body, and master its every need, you are vulnerable. Your strengths, or
your weaknesses, are those of House Acoma. A handsome man who whispers sweetly in your ears,
whose touch rouses fire in your loins, might destroy you as easily as the Hamoi tong.'

Mara flushed deeply, her eyes ablaze. 'What are you suggesting?'

'A Ruling Lady must be free of doubt,' Nacoya said. 'After your mother's death, Lord Sezu took
steps to ensure that the desires of the flesh would not tempt him to act foolishly. Lust for the daughter of
the wrong house could have destroyed the Acoma as surely as if he had lost a battle.

'While you were at the temple, he had women of the Reed Life brought to this house - '

'Nacoya, he had such women stay here when I was younger. I remember.' Mara drew breath
impatiently and, by the heavy scent of akasi, realized that slaves were trimming the gardens beyond the
screens.

But the cloying air seemingly had no effect upon Nacoya. 'Lord Sezu did not always act for himself,
Mara-anni. Sometimes the women came for Lanokota, that he might learn the ways of man and woman,
and not fall prey to the ambitions of wily daughters and their fathers' plots.'

The idea of her brother with such women unexpectedly offended Mara; yet the proximity of slaves
forced her to maintain propriety. 'So, again I say what do you suggest?'

'I will send for a man of the Reed Life, one skilled in-'

'No!' Mara cut her off. 'I will not hear of this!'

Nacoya ignored her mistress. ' - ways of pleasure. He can teach -'

'I said no, Nacoya!'

' - all you need to know, that soft touches and sweet words whispered in the dark will not beguile
you.'

Mara verged upon outright rage. 'I command you: say no more!'

Nacoya bit back her next words. The two women locked eyes and for a long, silent minute neither
moved. At last the old nurse bowed her head until her forehead touched the mats upon which she knelt, a
slave's sign of supplication. 'I am ashamed. I have given offence to my mistress.'

'Go! Leave me!'

The old woman rose, the rustle of her clothing and her stiff old back reflecting disapproval as she
departed. Mara waved away the servant who appeared to inquire after her needs. Alone, surrounded by
the mannered and beautifully calligraphed scrolls that honourably masked what actually constituted a
cruel and deadly mesh of intrigue, Mara attempted to sort out the confusion created by Nacoya's
suggestion. She could put no name to the fear that rose up to engulf her.

Holding herself, Mara sobbed silently. Bereft of her brother's comfort, surrounded by conspiracy,