Read Online Samurai's Wife by Laura Joh Rowland - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Laura Joh Rowland
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samurai officials. I have a better chance of getting the information you need."
Sano nodded in reluctant agreement, then frowned, placing his chopsticks together across the center of his rice bowl and contemplating the equally divided contents.
Reiko sensed in him the struggle between love and duty, between caution and the need to employ every possible method to solve the case. Taking Sano's strong, hard hands in her small, slender ones, she said, "When we married, our lives and our honor were joined forever. I want to deliver the killer to justice as much as you do. For good or bad, I share your fate. Shouldn't I do everything in my power to bring us success?"
They shared a long look. Then Sano clasped Reiko's hands, expelled a breath, and nodded, his misgivings obvious. But triumph filled Reiko. She had enough faith in their partnership for both of them.
At Nijo Castle, a servant entered the White Parlor, bowed, and said to Chamberlain Yanagisawa, "Your visitor has arrived."
"Good. I'll receive him in the Grand Audience Hall." Yanagisawa turned to Aisu. "I'll handle this alone."
Disapproval flickered in Aisu's eyes. "But how can you be sure he's trustworthy?" Yanagisawa had been communicating with his chief Miyako agent via written messages; they'd never actually met. But now, with operations under way, face-to-face contact was necessary. "You need protection."
Aisu hated being excluded from important business, Yanagisawa knew; he feared that someone else would steal his master's favor. However, as a general precaution, Yanagisawa never shared all the details of a scheme with anyone, lest too much knowledge give other men power over him. Thus, he didn't want Aisu at this secret meeting between himself and the man through whom he would achieve his purpose.
"No one would dare attack me here," Yanagisawa said. "You're dismissed. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, master." Aisu bowed resentfully.
In the Grand Audience Hall, a mural of gnarled pine trees on a gilt background decorated the wall behind the dais. Carved peacocks graced transoms; on the coffered ceiling, painted flowers glittered in the flames of many lanterns. Doors with ornate tassels marked rooms where guards stood watch. Exterior sliding walls were open to a garden landscaped entirely without trees, so that falling leaves could not evoke thoughts about the transience of life or political power. Indian lilac sent a smoky perfume into the castle.
Chamberlain Yanagisawa sat upon the dais. An attendant opened the door at the distant opposite end of the room and announced, "The Honorable Hoshina Sogoru, senior police commander of Miyako."
Toward Yanagisawa strode the tall samurai, clad in a dark cobalt kimono. As Yoriki Hoshina neared the dais, the sight of his powerful build and handsome, angular face caused a flash of sexual desire in Yanagisawa. Hoshina's heavy-lidded eyes regarded Yanagisawa with speculative interest. Then his full lips curved in a brief, bold smile. Yanagisawa instinctively recognized Hoshina as a man who liked men-and shared his attraction.
"Welcome," Yanagisawa said, marveling that written words conveyed so little of the writer's person. The yoriki's businesslike letters describing the circumstances of Left Minister Konoe's death and the results of his preliminary inquiries hadn't prepared Yanagisawa for meeting Hoshina in the flesh.
Hoshina knelt before the dais and bowed. "Thank you, Honorable Chamberlain. It's a privilege to serve you."
"Did anyone see you enter the castle?"
Contemplating the yoriki, Yanagisawa admired the sculpted muscles of Hoshina's arms and chest. He'd spent the past nine months trying to forget his dead lover Shichisaburo, but although he'd gone through scores of partners, male and female, none had banished the memory of losing the only person who had ever loved him. Now, however, Hoshina might prove to be a welcome diversion. Still, Yanagisawa sensed danger in their attraction.
"I don't think so," Hoshina
Sano nodded in reluctant agreement, then frowned, placing his chopsticks together across the center of his rice bowl and contemplating the equally divided contents.
Reiko sensed in him the struggle between love and duty, between caution and the need to employ every possible method to solve the case. Taking Sano's strong, hard hands in her small, slender ones, she said, "When we married, our lives and our honor were joined forever. I want to deliver the killer to justice as much as you do. For good or bad, I share your fate. Shouldn't I do everything in my power to bring us success?"
They shared a long look. Then Sano clasped Reiko's hands, expelled a breath, and nodded, his misgivings obvious. But triumph filled Reiko. She had enough faith in their partnership for both of them.
At Nijo Castle, a servant entered the White Parlor, bowed, and said to Chamberlain Yanagisawa, "Your visitor has arrived."
"Good. I'll receive him in the Grand Audience Hall." Yanagisawa turned to Aisu. "I'll handle this alone."
Disapproval flickered in Aisu's eyes. "But how can you be sure he's trustworthy?" Yanagisawa had been communicating with his chief Miyako agent via written messages; they'd never actually met. But now, with operations under way, face-to-face contact was necessary. "You need protection."
Aisu hated being excluded from important business, Yanagisawa knew; he feared that someone else would steal his master's favor. However, as a general precaution, Yanagisawa never shared all the details of a scheme with anyone, lest too much knowledge give other men power over him. Thus, he didn't want Aisu at this secret meeting between himself and the man through whom he would achieve his purpose.
"No one would dare attack me here," Yanagisawa said. "You're dismissed. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, master." Aisu bowed resentfully.
In the Grand Audience Hall, a mural of gnarled pine trees on a gilt background decorated the wall behind the dais. Carved peacocks graced transoms; on the coffered ceiling, painted flowers glittered in the flames of many lanterns. Doors with ornate tassels marked rooms where guards stood watch. Exterior sliding walls were open to a garden landscaped entirely without trees, so that falling leaves could not evoke thoughts about the transience of life or political power. Indian lilac sent a smoky perfume into the castle.
Chamberlain Yanagisawa sat upon the dais. An attendant opened the door at the distant opposite end of the room and announced, "The Honorable Hoshina Sogoru, senior police commander of Miyako."
Toward Yanagisawa strode the tall samurai, clad in a dark cobalt kimono. As Yoriki Hoshina neared the dais, the sight of his powerful build and handsome, angular face caused a flash of sexual desire in Yanagisawa. Hoshina's heavy-lidded eyes regarded Yanagisawa with speculative interest. Then his full lips curved in a brief, bold smile. Yanagisawa instinctively recognized Hoshina as a man who liked men-and shared his attraction.
"Welcome," Yanagisawa said, marveling that written words conveyed so little of the writer's person. The yoriki's businesslike letters describing the circumstances of Left Minister Konoe's death and the results of his preliminary inquiries hadn't prepared Yanagisawa for meeting Hoshina in the flesh.
Hoshina knelt before the dais and bowed. "Thank you, Honorable Chamberlain. It's a privilege to serve you."
"Did anyone see you enter the castle?"
Contemplating the yoriki, Yanagisawa admired the sculpted muscles of Hoshina's arms and chest. He'd spent the past nine months trying to forget his dead lover Shichisaburo, but although he'd gone through scores of partners, male and female, none had banished the memory of losing the only person who had ever loved him. Now, however, Hoshina might prove to be a welcome diversion. Still, Yanagisawa sensed danger in their attraction.
"I don't think so," Hoshina
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