The Beautiful Ones - Silvia Moreno-Garcia Page 0,65
there,” he said, pointing at a faded building, four stories high, its windows impenetrable behind burgundy velvet.
“Why do they call it the Philosophers Club?”
“After a few drinks, all men become philosophers.”
Nina nodded, and though she knew nothing of the Philosophers Club, she imagined it would be populated with men as bright and cheery as Luc Lémy, all in their finest jackets, drinking and smoking and laughing for hours on end.
Luc took out his pocket watch and slid the cover to the side, then looked at her. “I won’t be needed for another half hour. Do you want me to escort you to your bookstore? This is not the best quarter in the city.”
“It’s not the worst either. I’ve been here before.”
“Let me be gallant. It makes me feel better,” he said, offering her his arm. “I’m sure your great-aunts would approve.”
Nina draped her hand over his arm. “If you insist. But there are no drinks inside a bookstore.”
“How dreadful.”
They walked the scant two blocks necessary to reach their destination. The bookstores were all small and crowded. They occupied the first floor of each building, but the second and third floors either served as living quarters for the owners or housed restaurants. One could pick a favorite volume and then have an economical lunch.
Nina went into the Dandelion. It was not the best bookstore on this street, but it catered to geographers, nature aficionados, and those with scientific inclinations. It sold copies of the leading scientific gazettes and popular books, but also more obscure volumes.
The aisles were narrow and the books piled high. The trick at the Dandelion was that you needed to have been there before or you wouldn’t find a thing. Nina stood on her tiptoes and brushed her fingers along the spines.
“What are you looking for?” Luc asked.
“Coronel Oudevai has been publishing drawings of the species he has seen during his travels in the Ammunok peninsula. I’m looking for the third volume. It should be out now. Here it is.”
Nina grabbed the slim volume and opened it, turning the pages. She paused at a fine watercolor that showed an armadillo against a blue sky. It was the representative animal of Iblevad, found throughout most of the southern portion of the continent and therefore not so rare as other species, but she thought it a most delightful creature despite its being common.
“There are armadillos large enough, they might carry you on their back, did you know that?” she told Luc.
“I’m not even sure what I’m looking at, and you are saying it’s as big as a horse?” he replied.
“Not so large, perhaps a pony. And there are big turtles, too. I saw a photograph showing a man riding a turtle. I’m not sure if anyone would attempt to ride an armadillo.”
He peered over her shoulder at the book. The shop was stuffy and a bead of sweat slid down Nina’s throat. It was an uncommonly warm spring, her great-aunts had told her. She’d forgotten her fan at home and made a mental note to ensure she carried it at all times.
As if echoing her, Luc raised a hand and tugged at his collar, loosening his tie. “We’ll be cooked alive if we remain here, Miss Beaulieau,” he whispered. “How about we pay for this?”
Nina could have stomached an hour inside the bookshop no matter if it felt like resting inside an oven, but she decided to be merciful, and they headed to the front, where an attendant wrapped the book in brown paper and tied it with a string. Luc said he’d buy it for her, and even though she protested, he ended up paying for it.
“It’s the least I can do for being a nuisance,” he said, handing her the book.
“You are not a nuisance,” she replied.
“Don’t encourage me. I could believe you.”
When they stepped out, they both turned their heads, hearing the clock of nearby Saint Cecily strike three.
“Your club,” she said. “I’ve kept you for a long time. You’ll be late.”
“Who ever heard of a man being late for drinks? The later is always the better,” he said with a shrug.
“How kind of you to say that. Thank you for keeping me company,” she said, and extended her hand to bid him good-bye.
Luc Lémy, however, did not seem ready to go. He held her hand in the polite city fashion but did not release it, instead moving a step closer to Nina and giving her a mischievous look.
“Did I mention that my eldest brother has acquired