"Raymond E. Feist - Kingdom of the Isles 2 - The King's Buccaneer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

or statement.

He glanced around, and when it was clear they were alone, he sat heavily
beside her. Taking her hands in his own, he said, "Alicia, my darling, I've
given the matter some thought—"

"What matter?" she interrupted.

"Let me finish," he said. "If I don't get this out, I'm likely to lose my
nerve, hoist sail, and leave."

She tried not to smile, for he seemed very serious. But she had a good idea of
what was next.

"I'm getting on in age—"

"You're still a youngster," she said playfully.

"Dammit, woman, this is difficult enough without your trying to flatter me!"
His tone was more exasperation than anger, so she was not offended. Her eyes
betrayed a merry glint while she kept a straight face,

"I've done many things I'm not proud of, Alicia, and some I've confessed to
you. Others I'd just as soon forget." He paused, searching for words. "So, if
you're not of a mind to, I'll understand and take no offense."

"Mind to what, Amos?"

Amos almost blushed as he blurted, "Marry."

Alicia laughed and squeezed his hands tightly. She leaned forward and kissed
him. "Silly man. Whom else would I marry? It's you I'm in love with."

Amos grinned. "Well then, that's it, isn't it?" He threw his arms around her
and held her close. "You're not going to regret this, are you?"

"Amos, at my age I've had my share of regrets, I can assure

30 Raymond E. Feist

you. I married Erland because he was the King's brother and my father was the
Duke of Timons, not because I felt anything for him. I came to love my
husband, for he was a kind and lovable man, but I was never in love with him.
When he died, I assumed that love would be something I would watch in others
younger than I. Then you showed up." He sat back, and she gripped his chin in
her hand, playfully shaking his head as she would a child's. Then her hand
went to his cheek and she caressed it. "No, I haven't enough time left for
making poor choices. For all your rough edges, you've a quick mind and a
generous heart, and whatever you did in the past is in the past. You've been
the only grandfather my grandchildren have (mown—though they know better than