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

"But why? Is there something not to your liking at Mrs. Mullinton's?"
"Only the price and the lack of privacy," said Madelaine as politely as she could. "That is
not to say anything against Mrs. Mullinton. She has been all that is courteous and attentive, and
Mrs. Mullinton's establishment is a fine one, but not for what I am engaged in doing."
"And what might that be?" asked Sherman, disapproval scoring his sharp features.
"I am writing a book," said Madelaine candidly.
Sherman's glower vanished only to be replaced by an indulgent smirk; Madelaine decided
she liked the glower better, for it indicated genuine concern, and this showed nothing of the sort.
"A book?"
"On my studies here in America," she said with a coolness she did not feel.
"Have you any notion of what must go into writing a book? It is far different than making
entries in a diary; it requires discipline and concerted effort." He continued to watch her with a
trace of amusement.
Stung, Madelaine said. "Yes. I have already written three volumes on my travels in
Egypt."
"When you were an infant," said Sherman. "You told me you have spent your time here at
sphool, and before that-"
"Actually, I said I had been studying," Madelaine corrected him. "You were the one who
said I had been at school."
Sherman straightened in his chair as he took the two papers back from her. "You were not
in the convent!" he declared with conviction. "You have not the manner of it."
Madelaine had managed to regain control over her impulsive tongue; she said, "That is
nothing to the point. All that matters is that I find an appropriate house to rent. If you are not
willing to help me in this endeavor, you need only tell me and I will go elsewhere."
This indirect challenge put Sherman on his mettle. "Certainly I will do what I can. As
your financial representative, I must question anything that does not appear to be in your best
interests." He gave her a severe stare. "If you will let me know your requirements and the price
you had in mind to pay, I will have Jenkins begin his inquiries."
"Thank you," said Madelaine, her temper beginning to cool. "I will need a small- or
medium-sized house in a good location, one with room for a proper study. I will need a
bedchamber and a dressing room, a withdrawing room and a parlor, a dining room, a pantry, and
a reasonably modern kitchen, with quarters for a staff of three." She had established these
requirements for herself over eighty years ago. She added the last in an off-handed way. "Also, I
must be able to reach the foundation with ease."
"The foundation!" Sherman repeated in astonishment. "Why should the foundation
concern you?"
Madelaine thought of the trunks of her native earth and felt the pull of it like exhausted
muscles yearning for rest "I have learned that it is wise to know what the footing of a house may
be," she answered.
"Most certainly," Sherman agreed, pleasantly surprised that Madelaine should have so
practical a turn of mind. "Very well. I will stipulate that in my instructions to Jenkins: easy access
to the foundations." He regarded her with the manner of one encountering a familiar object in an
unfamiliar setting. "How soon would you like to occupy the house?"
"As soon as possible," said Madelaine. "I want to get my work under way quickly, and I
cannot do that until I have a place where I may examine my notes and open all my records-I
assure you, they are extensive-for review; at the moment most of them are still in trunks and are
of little use to me there." She smiled at him, noticing for the first time that he had dark circles
under his eyes. "If you will excuse me for mentioning it, you do not appear to have slept well,
Mr. Sherman. Are you unwell?"
He shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed. "My son was fussy last night; he is very