"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Madelaine 2 - In the Face of Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

head then, Madame." His eyes belied the indifference of his demeanor. "I will arrange for the
lease to be drawn up this afternoon; you may sign it at my office this evening, if that is
convenient."
"Excellent," she said. "And perhaps you can recommend a firm to move my things to this
house at the beginning of next week? We might as well be about this as soon as possible."
He offered her a small salute. "Certainly, Madame."
"When I have established myself here, you must advise me how best to entertain, so that I
will not offend any of the important hostesses in San Francisco." She meant what she said, and
was reh'eved that for once Sherman seemed convinced.
"If my wife were here…" he began, then let his words trail off as he stared at her.
"If your wife were here, we should not be having this conversation, Mr. Sherman," said
Madelaine, being deliberately provocative, and wondering what it was about him that so intrigued
her, aside from his apparent fascination with her.
"No," he said, and looked away toward the vacant window and its view of the street
beyond.
San Francisco, 10 June,
I am now in my house on Franklin Street, near the intersection of Grove Street, and very
pleasant it is, too. The draper is making up curtains, draperies, and valences for me; they will be
installed by the day after tomorrow, or so he has assured me, which will do much to make the
place more comfortable during the day. With my chests of native earth in the basement, and my
mattress and shoes relined, I am already quite at home. In a •week or so, all should be in order. I
think I shall go on very well here.
This afternoon I interviewed over thirty applicants for my three staff positions, and have
chosen a housekeeper-cum-maid who has but recently arrived from Sweden, a woman of middle
years named Olga Bjomholm. I have also found a man-of-all-work named Christian van der
Groot who came here to find gold but realized that he could do better helping to build houses and
guard them than panning in the mountain rivers, and so here he is. I have yet to hire a cook for
the household, but I have found a coachman to drive for me as needed.
I am reluctant to ask Mr. Sherman for more assistance, for I sense that his attraction is
deepening, which causes him distress. It is apparent when he speaks to me that he does it with
confusion springing from his attrac-
tion. If only my attraction were not deepening as well. It has been so long since I have let
myself be loved knowingly; for the last decade I have taken my pleasure- such as it has been-in
the dreams of men who have been interesting to me, and interested in me. And that has sufficed;
it is gratification but not nourishment. For that, there must be intimacy without fantasy. And I
cannot help but long for that intimacy, for knowledge and acceptance-although why I believe I
should find either from William T. Sherman, I cannot tell, except for what is in his eyes.
Madelaine arrived at the French Theatre on Montgomery Street and found herself in a
crush of carriages trying to get into position at the front of the theatre, where the sidewalk was
broader and two wide steps were in place for those leaving their carriages. Ushers were at the
edge of this boardwalk helping the arriving audience to alight.
"I don't think I can get much closer, Madame, not in another ten minutes, and you would
then be late," said Enrique, her coachman, as he looked over the line of vehicles waiting to
discharge their passengers. "It is less than a block from here."
"It is satisfactory, Enrique," said Madelaine with decision, handing him a small tip as she
prepared to get out. "I will walk the rest of the way; if you will watch me, to be sure I am not-"
"I will watch, Madame," he said, drawing the coach up to the boardwalk. "Do you need
me to let the steps down?"
"No," she replied. "I can manage well enough. The street is well lit, and I doubt anyone
will importune me with so much activity about." With that, she opened the door panel, set her lap