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

distinguished lady traveling so far from home. We are two strangers on these shores, are we not?"
Sherman looked from one to the other. "Madame, let me present Baron deStoeckl. Baron,
Madame de Montalia."
"Delighted, Baron," said Madelaine, and went on, "I had thought that everyone in
California except for the Indians were here as strangers, and far from home."
"Touche, Madame." As the Baron kissed her hand, he said, still in French, "I hope you
will excuse my friend's curt manner. There is no changing him."
"And remember," said Sherman in rough-accented French, "he understands what you
say." With that, he gave Madelaine a polite nod and passed on to greet General Hitchcock, who
had just entered the ballroom.
"He misses the army, or so it seems to my eyes," said the Baron to Madelaine. "If you will
excuse me?"
She gestured her consent, and a moment later had her attention claimed by her hostess,
who wished her to meet Joseph Folsom. "He is one of the most influential men in the city,"
Fanny confided. "You will be glad to know him."
Madelaine allowed herself to be led away; she saw Mrs. Mullinton deep in conversation
with an elderly lady in lavish half-mourning, and thought it best not to interrupt her.
It was almost an hour later, after the string quartet had beguiled them with Mozart and a
medley of transcribed themes from Norma, that Madelaine once again found herself in Sherman's
company. He had just come from the bustle around the punch bowl bearing a single cup when he
saw her standing by the window, looking out into the fading day. He strolled to her side, and
remarked, "The fog comes in that way throughout the summer."
She turned to him, a bit startled, and said, "So Mrs. Mullinton has warned me, and
advised that I carry a wrap no matter how warm the day." She went on, "What do you think of
these musicians?"
"More to the point, Madame, what do you think of them? Undoubtedly you have more
experience of these things than I do." He sipped from his cup and then said, before she could
answer his first question. "I would fetch you something, but that would cause idle tongues to
wag. With my wife away, I cannot risk giving any cause for gossip that would distress her."
"Certainly not," said Madelaine, regarding Sherman with some surprise. "On occasions
such as this-"
"You will forgive me, Madame, for saying that you do not know these sniping cats who
have nothing better to do with their conversation than to blacken the reputations of those around
them." He bowed slightly and was about to turn away when he looked down at her. "You may
find it difficult to move about in society, single as you are. If you were not so beautiful a young
woman, Madame, and so vivacious, there would be little to fear, but-" And with that, he was
gone.
As Madelaine and Mrs. Mullinton were taking their leave of the Kents at the end of the
concert, Fanny Kent drew Madelaine aside, with signs of apprehension about her. She made
herself come to the point at once. "I could not but notice that you and Mr. Sherman spoke
earlier."
Madelaine knew well enough not to laugh. "Yes, some minor matters about when I could
sign certain papers at the bank. Mr Sherman wished to know when I would be available to tend to
them. I gather they will be ready earlier than I had been told."
Fanny looked reassured, her rosy cheeks flaming with embarrassment. "Oh, Madame. I
am so sorry. I have mistaken the… But as you have just come here, and have not yet learned… I
was afraid you were wanting to fix your interest… oh, good gracious."
"Dear Mrs. Kent," Madelaine said pleasantly enough but with grim purpose, "I am aware
that Mr. Sherman is a married man."
"Yes, he is," said Fanny Kent flatly. "With three hopeful children."