Читать книгу Unconditional Surrender онлайн

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One of these opened the door to Ludovic and without asking his name said through a curtain of hair: "Do come in quick. The blackout's not very efficient. They're all upstairs."

There was a party in the drawing-room on the first floor.

"Which is Mr. Spruce?"

"Don't you know? Over there, of course, talking to the Smart Woman."

Ludovic looked round the room where, in a company of twenty or so, women predominated but none appeared notably dressy, but the host identified himself by coming forward with an expression of sharp enquiry.

"I am Ludovic," said Ludovic. "Ralph Brompton said you were expecting me."

"Yes, of course. Don't go until we have had the chance to talk. I must apologise for the crowd. Two anti-fascist neutrals have been wished on me by the Ministry of Information. They asked me to collect some interesting people. Not easy these days. Do you speak Turkish or Portuguese?"

"No."

"That's a pity. They are both professors of English Literature but not very fluent in conversation. Come and talk to Lady Perdita."