"Freda Warrington - A Taste of Blood Wine" - читать интересную книгу автора (Warrington Freda)

'"The Electrical Structure of Matter'."
"The electric—what? Oh, never mind. I'll tell him it's terribly
interesting."
"Tell who?" said Charlotte.
Madeleine swung one leg, all nervous energy. "I've met the most
delicious young man. He's from Vienna, his name's Karl von
Wultendorf, and he's frightfully interested in science. That's why he
came to England, to study. When I told him my father was Dr
George Neville, Karl had heard of him!" She mimicked an Austrian

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accent. '"Ah, he is a very eminent physicist. I should be very
interested to meet him.' So I've been telling Karl that he really
should come to Cambridge, that's where all the exciting discoveries
are taking place. Isn't that true? You know better than me."
"Well, yes, but—"
"But what? He's the most wonderful man I've ever met! If he comes
to the lecture I can introduce him to Father, and persuade Father to
invite him to Cambridge… "
Charlotte's stomach tightened. She hated strangers coming to the
house at the best of times. She had been clinging to thoughts of
home to get her through the last of these wretched parties, and at
this moment, the thought of her refuge being invaded was
unbearable. "When did you ever go to one of Father's lectures?" she
said.
"I'll make an exception for Herr von Wultendorf." Madeleine's eyes
elongated like a cat's. "I'd make an exception to anything for him."
"Where is he?"
Madeleine leaned towards her and whispered, "Over there by the
window, talking to Clive. Don't stare."
As discreetly as she could, Charlotte looked at the stranger who was
with a little group framed against the red velvet curtains. But Fleur's
husband Clive was standing alongside him and she could only make
out that he was just over six feet tall and slim, his hair dark with a
reddish glow. It was enough, though, for her to see that he was
attractive, imposing. A threat. She looked away quickly.
Charlotte usually suppressed her feelings until they choked her,

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rather than cause a scene, especially with Madeleine. Now her
misgivings overcame her. "No," she said sharply.
Madeleine's face fell. "What d'you mean, 'No'?"
"You can't invite complete strangers to Father's lectures, let alone to
our house."