Читать книгу Reflection of the night онлайн

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In the dining room, waiting for the final preparations, Edward and Arthur stood not far from each other. The King, as he often did, was looking out of the window. None of the three men spoke. It was exactly six o'clock, and Countess Anna Raine came in through the open door, still dressed in her green ball gown. She curtsied and followed the footman to the table. After that, everyone joined in for dinner. Robin stared at her intently. This time her face was an impenetrable mask. The girl was cool and collected. The white, austere tablecloth, the gleaming silver of the appliances, and the stony faces of the young men made the atmosphere in the dining room tense.

– How was your day, Lady Raine? – the king broke the silence.

– Thank you, Your Majesty, quite passable. I've been waiting for your permission to return home.

– Are you in such a hurry to leave us? What is it? – he asked in a cold, ironic tone.

– I don't want to distract you from important matters.

– Is that so?

There was a pause.