"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Olivia 2 - Crusader's Torch" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

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Most of the shutters had been closed over the windows by the time the squall
reached Tyre. The few that were not secured banged and rattled until the household
slaves tended to them, and then only the eerie wails of the wind and the spattering of
rain disturbed the house that stood a little apart from the rest, between custom's
station and the Genoese quarter of the city.
"I wish you wouldn't insist that I leave," Niklos Aulirios said to Atta Olivia
Clemens as he left the slaves packing his belongings to speak with her in her private
apartments.
"You know I can't take the risk of arriving in Roma without preparation. Be
sensible, Niklos." She was frowning slightly, her hazel eyes vexed. "We've been over
this; I won't change my mind because you repeat yourself."
He was about to protest when he saw the slave from Antioch standing in the door,
hand raised to knock. There were two long copes folded together in his hands. "Not
like that," Niklos told the slave. "I want them separate, and I want them in my saddle
bags, so that I can reach them. If there's going to be more weather like this, I'll need
them."
The slave gestured to acknowledge his mistake, and set about following Niklos'
orders. "We can't find the leather chest," he said to Niklos, showing respect to the
major domo by keeping his eyes lowered.
"I'll help you search for it shortly." Niklos turned to Olivia once more. "You don't
know that there will be more fighting. I don't like to think of you taking unnecessary
risks." He looked toward the slave in the doorway. "You have duties to attend to,
haven't you?"
"I do," the slave said and withdrew quickly.
"I like the risks no better than you do," said Olivia. "Which is why I am
determined to return to Roma. If I am wrong, there will be no harm in the change,
and if it turns out that I am right, then the sooner we are gone from here, the better.
Was the slave listening?"
Niklos made an irritated gesture. "Even if he were, he did not hear anything that
has not been said before. And who would he tell?"
"That worries me," she said wryly. "I wish I knew. And all the more reason for me
to leave. It isn't very safe here." She waved her hand toward the window. "Out there
everyone is troubled. They expect the worst. I would as soon avoid that if I am able."
"You will need escort for your journey. Have you thought about that?" Niklos did
not wait for her answer. "Many of the Templars and Hospitalers are as rapacious as
the robbers they are supposed to guard you against. Don't argue with me," he warned
her before she could interrupt. "You know that it's true, especially if they're escorting
a woman."
"I know it's true for some of them," Olivia conceded with a faint smile. "Why are
you so angry with me, Niklos?"
He rounded on her, his burnished skin darkening with emotion. "Because I'm
afraid for you, Olivia. After all these years and years, I dread what might become of
you."
"I am not entirely defenseless." Her hazel eyes locked with his dark ones
unflinchingly and she took two steps toward him. "You may take credit for some of
my skills. You taught me well, Niklos. For that I thank you."
"If you think to distract me with compliments, Olivia—I know you too well. It
won't work." He folded his arms and did his best to glower at her.