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

it made her feel ridiculous and self-conscious, but in another it
bestowed a welcome anonymity.
The late summer evening was warm but overcast, darkening early
under pearl-soft clouds. Standing on the long sweep of the terrace,
with the house rising up on one side and the gardens falling away on
the other, Charlotte experienced a wonderful feeling of peace. They
had wished Maddy a happy birthday, they had all embraced and
kissed, and now they stood here in this perfect moment of accord.
Past and future dissolved into mist. There was only now. It was so
pleasant to be with her sisters, just listening to them talk.
Fleur seemed her usual self again; good-natured, always smiling a
little, yet aloof, as if she considered herself slightly above the world.
She was enthusing about the painting she was working on as if
nothing else existed. Madeleine listened with uncharacteristic
patience, her eyes shining, as if she were waiting for the right
moment to impart some news of her own.
Then Fleur asked, "Did you see him again, your wonderful
Austrian?"
"He came to the house yesterday." Madeleine put her hand on
Fleur's arm. "It was quite unbelievable. I thought Father would just
give him a little advice. But he was so taken with Karl that he asked
him to come and work in the laboratory."

file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Freda%20Warrington%20-%20A%20Taste%20of%20Blood%20Wine.html (77 of 711)28-12-2006 21:38:58
A Taste



Charlotte felt her whole body turn rigid, her tranquillity slide away
like a receding wave. Madeleine's statement was ambiguous. Fleur
asked, "Which one? You mean the Cavendish?"
"No! Aren't you listening? Karl wants to work in our laboratory,
and Father said yes!"
"Fancy that," said Fleur, raising her eyebrows.
Madeleine glanced at Charlotte, knowing she would be horrified,
watching for her reaction. But Charlotte kept her face
expressionless, thinking, Whatever I say, it will be the wrong thing
and I refuse to cause an argument.
"Aren't you pleased?" said Fleur.
"I don't know what I feel," Madeleine said quietly. "I only invited
him to the lecture as an excuse to see him again. I never expected
this to happen."
"But now you'll see him every day."
"Yes, yes. But I had so many plans, people to see, house parties, and
now I shan't want to go, because Karl will be in Cambridge."
Fleur stroked Madeleine's arm. "Well, Karl can go with you, can't
he? I hardly need to ask if he's taken a fancy to you?"
"I should think he has." Madeleine's expression brightened. "If you
only saw the way he looks at me! You're right, Fleur. Everything is
going to be perfect." She turned to Charlotte. "Oh, you're not