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

"I have no intention of making his life awkward for him. What a goose I should be to do
such a foolish thing. Great Heaven, Mrs. Kent, he is my banker. I rely upon him to look after my
financial welfare while I am in San Francisco." She smiled easily. "And because he is, I will have
to speak with him upon occasion, and call at his office to take care of transactions that married
women leave to their husbands to perform, but which I must attend to for myself. I hope that
people understand the reasons are those of business; I have no motives beyond that."
"Of course, of course," said Fanny hastily.
"It would be most inconvenient to have to contend with malicious speculation over such
minor but necessary encounters." This time her smile had purpose to it.
Now Fanny let out a long sigh, one hand to her opulent bosom. "It is very sad that Mrs.
Sherman has had to be away from him just now," she said. "The run on the bank left him
exhausted, and his asthma, you know, has been particularly bad.
To care for those two children as well-" She put her hand to her cheek. "Not that you have
any reason to be concerned. I'm sure the worst is behind him. He managed the crisis of the run
quite successfully, and now Lucas and Turner is likely to stand as long as the city. It would be a
terrible thing if scandal should fix to his name after he has won through so great a trial."
Madelaine blinked as she listened, and realized that Sherman had been right to warn her
about gossip.
San Francisco, 29 May,
I must look for a house. I need someplace where I can lay down my native earth and
restore myself through its strength, and I do not want to pay Mrs. Mullinton another $75 for my
apartments, pleasant though they are. A few of the other women here are starting to question how
I live, especially my refusal to dine with them, and I must make an effort to stop their
speculations as soon as possible. If I had an establishment of my own, and my own staff, I could
deal with these problems summarily. No doubt Lucas and Turner can assist in finding what I
want…
"This is an unexpected surprise," said Sherman, coming out of his office to greet
Madelaine shortly before noon two days later. He motioned Jenkins aside and indicated that he
wanted her to follow him. "I have the papers ready for you to sign. They'll go off on the next
ship, and the funds will arrive as quickly as possible after that. In these days we can handle these
transactions in less than two months. But let us discuss your matters less publicly. If you will be
kind enough-?"
 "Of course. And I thank you for giving me a little time; I am sure you are very busy." As
she made her way back to his office, Madelaine realized that many of the customers and about
half the staff in the bank were staring at her, either directly or covertly. She knew it was not just
because she had worn her newest walking dress-a fetching mode in grape-colored fine wool; she
drew her short jacket more closely around her as she took the chair Sherman offered, aware that
once again, he had left the door half open.
He settled himself behind his desk and held out a pen to her as he reached for the papers
needing her signature. "Now then,
Madame, what more are we to have the pleasure of doing for you?"
Madelaine squared her shoulders. "I want to rent a house. At least through August,
possibly for longer."
Sherman stared at her. "Rent a house?" he repeated as if she had spoken in a language he
did not adequately understand.
She went on without remarking on his surprise. "Yes. Something not too lavish, but as
comfortable and suitable as possible. And I will need to hire a staff for it." She swiftly reviewed
the permission form and signed first one, then the second, the pen spattering as the ink dried on
the nib. "Probably no more than three or four will serve me very well."
"You want to rent a house," Sherman said again, as if he had at last divined her meaning.