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

young and misses his mother. I wanted to comfort him, and so I…" He made a brusque gesture of
dismissal, then relented. "And for the last few days my asthma has been bothering me. It is a
childish complaint, one that need not concern you, Madame."
Madelaine regarded him with sympathy. "I know what it is to suffer these conditions, for
I, myself, cannot easily tolerate direct sunlight." She hesitated, thinking that she did not want to
create gossip about the two of them. Then she offered, "I have some preparations against such
continuing illnesses. If you would let me provide you with a vial of-"
"I have nitre paper," Sherman said, cutting her off abruptly. He stared at the blotter on the
desk, and the papers she had signed. "But I thank you for your consideration."
"If you change your mind, you have only to let me know," said Madelaine, noticing that
Sherman's face was slightly flushed. "Think of it as a gesture of gratitude for finding my house."
He nodded stiffly. "If you will call back on Monday, I will let you know what Jenkins has
discovered. What was the price you had in mind again?"
"Anything reasonable. You know better than I what that would be, and you know what
my circumstances are," Madelaine said as if she had lost interest in the matter. "And you know
what is a reasonable amount for a landlord to ask, even with prices so very high."
Sherman nodded, his expression distant. "And the matter of staff? You said two or three?"
"If you will recommend someone to help me in hiring them, I would appreciate it." Why
was she feeling so awkward? Madelaine wondered. What had happened in the last few minutes
that left her with the sensation that she had done something unseemly? Was it something in her,
or was it in Sherman?
"There are employment services in the city," said Sherman, looking directly at her. "I will
find out which is most reputable."
Madelaine was startled at the intensity of his gaze. "I don't know what to say to you, Mr.
Sherman, but thank you." He rose stiffly. "On Monday then, Madame de Montalia." She took his
hand; it might as well have been made of wood. "On Monday, Mr. Sherman."
 San Francisco, 6 June,
It is still in his eyes. When Mr. Sherman and I met at the soiree given by General
Hitchcock, I saw him watching me; never have I experienced so searching an expression, as if he
wanted to fathom me to the depths. It is not like Saint-Germain, who looks at me with knowing:
Sherman is questing. This considered inspection had nothing to do with the soiree: the fare was
musical, for the General has some talent on the flute, and he, with the accompaniment of Mrs.
Kent at the piano, regaled his guests with a variety of airs by Mozart and Handel, all very light
and pleasant. Yet for all his watching me, Sherman hardly spoke to me during the evening. If he
seeks to avoid gossip in this way, he will not succeed, for his Russian friend, deStoeckl asked me
why Sherman was making such a cake of himself, an old-fashioned question I cannot answer…
I have been given descriptions of three houses Mr. Sherman thinks would be suitable for
my needs. One is on Shotwell Street; there is a second house on Franklin, somewhat larger than
the first-it is quite modem and comes with many furnishings included. The third is on Bush Street,
where the hill becomes steeper; it is not as well situated as the other two. I will go inspect them in
the next few days, to make up my mind…
The rooms in the house on Franklin Street echoed eerily as Madelaine made her way from
the front parlor to the withdrawing room.
"I am sorry that the landlord has not carpeted the place," said Sherman, walking slightly
behind her. "I have discussed the matter with him, and he is willing to make an adjustment in the
rent charged because of the lack. You will be expected to provide the carpets, as well as the
draperies and the bed. The rest is as you see," he added, indicating the furniture all swathed in
Holland covers.
"Actually, I don't see," said Madalaine. "But I know the furnishings are here." She
continued through the withdrawing room to the hall leading through the dining room to the