Ход королевы
Chapter 12
AlthoughitwasahotJulyafternoon,AllstonWheatleywaswearingasuit,adark-graysalt-and-peppertweed,andwhenheseatedhimselfonthesofahepulledupthecreasesinthepantslegs,showingthewhitenessofhisthinshanksabovethetopsofhismaroonsocks.Hehadlivedinthehouseforsixteenyears,butheshowednointerestinanythinginit.Heentereditlikeastranger,withalookthatcouldhavebeenangerorapology,satdownatoneendofthesofa,pulledhispantslegsupaninchandsaidnothing.
SomethingabouthimmadeBethfeelsick.Helookedexactlythewayhehadlookedwhenshefirstsawhim,whenhecametoMrs.Deardorff’sofficewithMrs.Wheatleytolookherover.
“Mr.Wheatleyhasaproposal,Beth,”thelawyerwassaying.ShelookedatWheatley’sface,whichwasturnedslightlyawayfromthem.“Youcanlivehere,”thelawyersaid,“whileyouarefindingsomethingpermanent.”Whywasn’tWheatleytellingherthis?
Wheatley’sembarrassmentmadehersomehowsquirmforhim,asthoughshewereembarrassedherself.“IthoughtIcouldkeepthehouseifImadethepayments,”shesaid.
“Mr.Wheatleysaysyoumisconstruedhim.”
Whywasherlawyerspeakingforhim?Whycouldn’thegethisownlawyer,forChrist’ssake?Shelookedoverathimandsawhewaslightingacigarette,hisfacestillinclinedawayfromher,apainedlookonhisfeatures.“Heclaimshewasonlypermittingyoutostayinthehouseuntilyougotsettled.”
“That’snottrue,”Bethsaid.
