Read Online The China Bride by Mary Jo Putney - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mary Jo Putney
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damned if I let myself be confined to a single warehouse. If it will make you feel better, I'll carry a pistol, and not go out at night or unaccompanied."
"Be discreet with the weapons—we foreign devils are supposed to be unarmed."
Kyle nodded. "Can I use Jin Kang as an escort when I go out? He has enough English to carry on at least limited conversations."
"A good choice. He'll keep you out of harm's way for Chenqua's sake. Do you need a doctor? You've got quite a black eye there."
"Not the first, and probably not the last." Kyle withdrew, feeling pleased. He had sworn not to betray Troth's secret, but at least he could have her company.
Troth was working at Elliott House that morning, translating a set of documents, when her neck began to prickle just before she heard a familiar voice.
"Good morning, Jin Kang. Elliott has given me permission to borrow you for my own use today."
Alarmed, she glanced up at Lord Maxwell, who managed to make his bruises seem dashing. Though his words to her would not arouse curiosity in an onlooker, there was definitely mischief in his eyes. Warily she swished her brush in the water dish to clean it. "You have work for me, sir?"
"Since Elliott says you know the best shops and showrooms in the Settlement, I'd like you to accompany me to buy presents for my family." His family. Of course. "It will be my pleasure, sir. I'm sure your wife and children will be honored that you will select gifts with your own hands." His expression tightened. "I have neither wife nor child, but there are plenty of other family members to indulge. Are you free to go now?"
"I am at your lordship's command." Though it was ridiculous to care, she was glad that no beautiful Englishwoman waited passionately for her lord's return. Even in her dreams, her sober Scottish side forbade adulterous thoughts. The Chinese part of her didn't care, though. Mei-Lian would accept being one of Maxwell's junior wives. Or even a concubine, with no legal status at all, as long as she was his favorite…
Ashamed of her thoughts, she followed Maxwell out into the square, which as always was crowded with people bustling about their business. The crowded conditions made her nervous. It would be easy for an assassin to jostle up to Maxwell, slide a knife between his ribs, and be gone before anyone saw.
Luckily, Maxwell was no fool. He had the quiet alertness of a man who had survived in more dangerous lands than this. Between the two of them, he should be safe. Just in case, she now carried a concealed knife. Two lanes ran between the hongs to connect with Thirteen Factories Street. By unspoken consent, they used Old China Street rather than Hog Lane. As they walked, he said, "Try not to look so gloomy, Jin. The object of the day is not only to buy presents and learn more about local trade goods, but to find amusement."
She slanted him a glance. "Amusement, sir?"
"You are too serious for a young man." Maxwell paused in front of an open-fronted shop and picked up a set of nested ivory balls, each intricately carved within a larger ball. "My brother would find these intriguing. What incredible carving skill." He tossed the ball at Troth.
She was so startled that she almost dropped it. "A set of these takes a craftsman many months to carve, sir," she said, unsure how to deal with Maxwell's antic mood. "A very fine gift. What else do you seek?"
"Clever little toys to intrigue children. Jewelry and lacquer boxes and silk for the ladies of my family. Perhaps some pieces of furniture." He wandered into the shop and paused in front of a display of tiny bottles carved from precious materials like jade and amber and turquoise. "Lovely trinkets like these."
Looking hopeful, the shopkeeper approached and told Troth in Chinese that there would be a commission for her on anything the Fan-qui purchased in this shop. Curtly she refused his offer. As a point of pride, she wanted to see that Maxwell left Canton with the finest goods at the
"Be discreet with the weapons—we foreign devils are supposed to be unarmed."
Kyle nodded. "Can I use Jin Kang as an escort when I go out? He has enough English to carry on at least limited conversations."
"A good choice. He'll keep you out of harm's way for Chenqua's sake. Do you need a doctor? You've got quite a black eye there."
"Not the first, and probably not the last." Kyle withdrew, feeling pleased. He had sworn not to betray Troth's secret, but at least he could have her company.
Troth was working at Elliott House that morning, translating a set of documents, when her neck began to prickle just before she heard a familiar voice.
"Good morning, Jin Kang. Elliott has given me permission to borrow you for my own use today."
Alarmed, she glanced up at Lord Maxwell, who managed to make his bruises seem dashing. Though his words to her would not arouse curiosity in an onlooker, there was definitely mischief in his eyes. Warily she swished her brush in the water dish to clean it. "You have work for me, sir?"
"Since Elliott says you know the best shops and showrooms in the Settlement, I'd like you to accompany me to buy presents for my family." His family. Of course. "It will be my pleasure, sir. I'm sure your wife and children will be honored that you will select gifts with your own hands." His expression tightened. "I have neither wife nor child, but there are plenty of other family members to indulge. Are you free to go now?"
"I am at your lordship's command." Though it was ridiculous to care, she was glad that no beautiful Englishwoman waited passionately for her lord's return. Even in her dreams, her sober Scottish side forbade adulterous thoughts. The Chinese part of her didn't care, though. Mei-Lian would accept being one of Maxwell's junior wives. Or even a concubine, with no legal status at all, as long as she was his favorite…
Ashamed of her thoughts, she followed Maxwell out into the square, which as always was crowded with people bustling about their business. The crowded conditions made her nervous. It would be easy for an assassin to jostle up to Maxwell, slide a knife between his ribs, and be gone before anyone saw.
Luckily, Maxwell was no fool. He had the quiet alertness of a man who had survived in more dangerous lands than this. Between the two of them, he should be safe. Just in case, she now carried a concealed knife. Two lanes ran between the hongs to connect with Thirteen Factories Street. By unspoken consent, they used Old China Street rather than Hog Lane. As they walked, he said, "Try not to look so gloomy, Jin. The object of the day is not only to buy presents and learn more about local trade goods, but to find amusement."
She slanted him a glance. "Amusement, sir?"
"You are too serious for a young man." Maxwell paused in front of an open-fronted shop and picked up a set of nested ivory balls, each intricately carved within a larger ball. "My brother would find these intriguing. What incredible carving skill." He tossed the ball at Troth.
She was so startled that she almost dropped it. "A set of these takes a craftsman many months to carve, sir," she said, unsure how to deal with Maxwell's antic mood. "A very fine gift. What else do you seek?"
"Clever little toys to intrigue children. Jewelry and lacquer boxes and silk for the ladies of my family. Perhaps some pieces of furniture." He wandered into the shop and paused in front of a display of tiny bottles carved from precious materials like jade and amber and turquoise. "Lovely trinkets like these."
Looking hopeful, the shopkeeper approached and told Troth in Chinese that there would be a commission for her on anything the Fan-qui purchased in this shop. Curtly she refused his offer. As a point of pride, she wanted to see that Maxwell left Canton with the finest goods at the
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