Marguerite Kaye – His Rags-To-Riches Contessa (страница 12)
‘No, thank you. This stuff might be mother’s milk to you, but if I have any more I’ll have palpitations.’
‘Mother’s milk, that is what they call gin in London, isn’t it?’
‘You’re thinking of mother’s ruin. And that’s not my cup of tea either. Shall we continue?’
He nodded. ‘I have been thinking,’ he said, looking decidedly uncomfortable, ‘about your role as Cousin Rebecca. If you are to play it convincingly, it is not only a matter of wearing the right clothes.’
‘You mean manners and etiquette? How to behave in polite society. I know I need some help, but I’m a quick learner, I promise.’
‘Then you won’t be offended if I ask my mother to give you some pointers?’
‘I would be delighted,’ Becky said, heartily relieved. ‘I would have asked you myself, only I didn’t want you to think I’m not up to the role. Are you sure she’ll be willing to help me?’
‘Certainly, because by helping you she’ll be helping me.’
‘She won’t be used to mingling with the likes of me.’
Luca smiled faintly. ‘I’ve never met the likes of you. I find you a very intriguing mixture, Miss Becky Wickes.’
It didn’t sound at all like a compliment, so it was silly of her to be blushing like a school chit. ‘You make me sound like a cake batter.’
He laughed. ‘My mother will like you, I am sure of it.’
Since it wasn’t in her interests to contradict him, Becky decided to hold her tongue. ‘It’s not just a matter of how I behave when I’m Cousin Rebecca though,’ she said. ‘It’s about...’
‘The cards,’ Luca said, pre-empting her.
‘Well, yes.’
‘We use different packs here, and we play different games, if that’s what you were going to ask.’
‘I was.’
‘I can teach you. I’m not an expert, I’ll have to rely on you to determine how to—to...’
‘Cheat. You might as well call a spade a spade, if you’ll forgive the terrible pun. That’s my particular field of expertise. But there’s more to it than that. This Carnival...’
‘There is nothing like it. It is exciting, it is dangerous, it is a time of intrigue and of decadence. The whole city takes part. You don’t know if you are dancing with a countess or a laundry maid, or even,’ Luca said with a wicked smile, ‘a man or a woman.’
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