"John Moore - Heroics for Beginners" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moore John)

the castle's staff treated Winslow with respect.

"A good sign, I think," he told him in a low voice. "Those in service always know what's up before the
gentry, don't you think?"

The older man nodded. "Very true, sire. The fact that the other valets are showing deference to me
indicates we are certainly still in the running."

"How many are here?"

"There are four other potential suitors, Your Highness, counting Lord Logan."

"Haywarddidn't show?"

"His lordship was taken ill, sire."

"Not seriously, I hope. I'll send a note tomorrow. What about Monty?"

"The rumor is that Prince Montcrief is about to announce his own engagement."

"Lady Allyson?"

"So they say."

"Good for him. About time, I should think. Those two have been making puppy eyes at each other for
half a year now. All right, so that leaves me, Logan, Raymond, Harkness, and Bigelow.

"Yes, sire. But the word below stairs is that you and Logan are the only serious contenders. The nobility
of Deserae still favors Lord Logan, but popular opinion seems to be swinging your way."

"Those old guys always back the military. Well, keep your ears open, Winslow." They descended
another broad staircase, standing aside to let two women in wide gowns pass. Kevin picked up the
thread of conversation again. "Truth to tell, Winslow, this isn't just politics. I personally would like to have
this match with the Princess."

"Why is that, sire?"

"Well for one thing, she's really beautiful."

"Every princess in the Twenty Kingdoms is beautiful,Your Highness. It is one of the unexplained
mysteries of our land. I have never seen an unattractive princess."

"Okay, but she's also about my age. I mean, look what happened to Prince Frederick. The family
refused to let him marry until he was thirty, and then he was betrothed to a six-year-old girl."

"That was ten years ago, sire. Now he is the most envied middle-aged man in his kingdom."
 The two men turned into a wider and even more crowded hallway. They followed the current of people
to their destination but paused at the entrance to the grand ballroom.

A twenty-piece orchestra was playing at full volume, but the conversational hubbub still rose above the