The Gilded Fan (Choc Lit) (19 page)

She knew in her heart that was for the best, but she would have given anything just to spend some more time with him. However, Nico would soon be in the past and only fate knew what lay before her. Since she didn’t have a choice in the matter, she was determined to make the best of it, come what may.

They said goodbye to Harding. ‘Although I’m only down the other side of the harbour,’ he said, ‘so I’m sure we’ll bump into each other every now and then. If there’s anythin’ I can do for you, mistress, don’t hesitate.’

Midori nodded. ‘Thank you for everything.’

Plymouth was nothing like she’d imagined it to be and she wrinkled her nose as she picked her way round all the rubbish littering the narrow streets. ‘Why is it so dirty?’ she asked Nico as they only just avoided stepping on a rotting animal carcass. It appeared to have been thrown out of a nearby butcher’s shop. A cloud of flies hovered over it, buzzing angrily, and Midori swatted at them.

He shrugged. ‘Your uncle’s house is higher up on the hill, where conditions are slightly better.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Er, I asked someone.’

Midori hurried on, spurred by a wish to escape the noxious odours. They passed innumerable shops – a candle-maker, a baker, a cordwainer – which looked very different to what Midori was used to. She stopped to inspect some of the wares a few times until she realised the shopkeepers were staring at her, openly curious. She followed Nico with her eyes firmly fixed on the ground after that.

‘Why are they staring at me so?’ she hissed. ‘I changed my clothing, just as you asked.’ He’d told her not to wear her most colourful
kimono
, which she’d put on at first in honour of the occasion.

Nico gave her a rueful smile. ‘It’s still different from what they’re wearing, isn’t it?’ He nodded in the direction of some ladies passing by and Midori saw what he meant. ‘We should have bought you garments in Amsterdam.’

‘No, I want to arrive in my own clothes.’ For some reason she couldn’t fathom herself, Midori felt strongly about that. ‘No doubt I’ll have to adapt later, but today I am me.’

‘Well, then, perhaps they are staring because they’ve never seen anyone so beautiful before,’ Nico whispered, sending a streak of warmth down her spine.

‘Don’t be provoking.’ Midori was cross that he’d chosen today of all days to play games with her. He’d never told her she was beautiful before and now it was too late. She marched off with her head held high until she realised she had no idea where she was going and was forced to stop and wait for Nico. He quirked an eyebrow at her, but said nothing more.

Everywhere they went they encountered throngs of people who were none too clean. Assailed by all these odours, Midori began to feel nauseous and wondered if it would be impolite to put a hand over her nose and mouth. After a while she stopped caring; it was either that or disgrace herself in public. It was a relief when Nico finally stopped at the bottom of a steeply sloping street. He pointed at a house that could be glimpsed at the top of the hill.

‘That’s your destination, your uncle’s house,’ he said, his voice a harsh whisper, as if he had to struggle to get the words out.

Midori looked up and saw a four-storey structure, built mostly of grey stone, but with some timber partitions and white plaster at the front. Large windows, with a myriad of tiny window panes encased in lead, spanned the whole width of the house at first-floor level. On the second and third storeys there were smaller windows that overhung the street.

‘Are you ready?’ Nico asked, pulling her gaze back to him. He shifted from one foot to the other, as if he was impatient to get this over with, but his expression was shuttered.

Midori nodded. Now the time had come she suddenly felt overwhelmed by it all and wished she had stayed a bit longer in Amsterdam before going to face her relatives. Drawing in a calming breath, she reminded herself she was the daughter of a
daimyo
and she feared nothing
.

‘Just one moment, though.’ Nico took a leather pouch out of his pocket and held it out to her. ‘Here, you’d better keep this safe somewhere.’

Midori frowned. ‘What is it?’

‘Half the money your brother gave me. I lied about the price to deter you from coming. Since it had no effect and you’re here anyway, you may as well have it.’

‘I see. Well, thank you.’ She took the pouch, its heaviness weighing down her hand. As she hid it inside her sleeve, she wondered if he was telling the truth or just being kind.

‘I will leave you now,’ Nico said, ‘but if you have need of me, I’ll be at the Chain and Anchor inn for a day or two. Send word if—’

Midori interrupted. ‘You’re not coming with me? Oh, please, just for a short while.’ Somehow she couldn’t bear the thought that this was goodbye, not so soon. ‘They’ll think it strange if I arrive on my own, won’t they?’ she added. ‘And they’ll want to thank you for escorting me.’

‘I doubt it,’ he said in a dry tone she didn’t understand.

Midori knew she couldn’t force him to accompany her, but although she had courage, she’d rather not face her relatives alone when meeting them for the first time. She needed Nico’s quiet strength and sent him an imploring glance. A muscle tightened in his jaw and his blue eyes darkened with an emotion that could have been pain or perhaps something else, she wasn’t sure. He opened his mouth as if to reply, but was interrupted by a shriek uttered by someone behind him.

‘Nicholas?
Nicholas!
I don’t believe it …’

Midori watched as a plump, middle-aged woman came rushing towards them. The lady stared up at Nico, one hand raised to cover her mouth, which was presumably open as wide as her eyes. The woman let out a cry of anguish, then in the next instant, she fainted dead away. Nico sprang forward to catch her as she fell towards the cobbles and managed it, but only just.

‘Oh, hell,’ he muttered under his breath and lifted her up into his arms, although he held her away from his chest as if he’d be contaminated by touching her.

Midori frowned at him, thoroughly puzzled. ‘You know her?’

‘Yes,’ he said curtly, huffing slightly at the weight of the woman. Without explaining further, he set off up the hill and Midori followed. She had to half-run to keep up with his long, seemingly angry, strides. He stopped outside the house he’d said was her uncle’s. ‘Would you mind knocking on the door, please? We’d better get her inside.’

All too soon they were passing under a carved stone archway into a dark hallway, its flagged stone floor worn smooth. Midori felt the walls close in on her and suppressed a shiver at the cold which permeated her straw sandals even now, at the height of summer. The maidservant who had opened the door led them into an inner hall where a wide spiral staircase led up towards the first floor. Midori recognised it from her mother’s descriptions and felt a tug of sadness.
Oh, Mother, if only you were here with me.

Nico deposited his burden on a wooden bench which had been placed along one wall.

‘If you would but wait a moment, sir, I’ll tell the master you’re here,’ the servant girl said, wringing her hands while staring at Midori, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

Midori wondered if she should have dressed in her finest
kimono
after all, but decided the plain blue one would have to do. Nico had been adamant that the colourful embroidered one she’d brought for special occasions would be unsuitable and she had to believe he knew best. Besides, the blue silk became her well and it showed her father’s clan motif, which gave her added courage. Taro Kumashiro wouldn’t have let anyone intimidate him, no matter who they were. His daughter was determined to do him proud.

‘What is going on here?’ A new voice rang out and Midori turned to see an elderly man scowling at them. She guessed he must have come out of the room behind them, as the door was slightly ajar. He was dressed in black woollen breeches and waistcoat, with a white shirt and hose, and plain black shoes. His grey hair was cut just above his shoulders and was somewhat sparse at the front. ‘Nicholas! By all that’s holy, what are you doing here?’ The man’s eyes opened wide, his reaction every bit as surprised as that of the woman outside.

Midori frowned.
Yes, what
is
going on here? I’d like to know as well.

She stared from Nico to the old man and back again. It was plain they knew each other, and she was starting to get angry since she seemed to be the only one in the dark.

The woman on the bench stirred and moaned, her eyelids flickering open. The old man bent down next to her. ‘Kate?
Kate!
Can you hear me?’ He turned to glare at Nico. ‘Couldn’t you at least have given us some warning of your arrival?’

‘How was I to know the sight of me would make Stepmama swoon? It never did before.’ Nico’s gaze was colder than Midori had ever seen it, but a muscle jumped in his jaw, showing he wasn’t as calm as he sounded.

‘Well, you hadn’t been gone thirteen years then,’ the old man snarled. ‘We thought you dead! Kate, sit up, do, Sister. You can’t be lying down, you need air.’ He helped the woman into a sitting position against the wall, then suddenly noticed Midori for the first time. ‘Who’s this?’

‘This, dear Uncle Jacob, is your niece, Midori. From Japan,’ Nico said, crossing his arms over his chest and making the word ‘uncle’ sound sarcastic. ‘Your sister Hannah’s daughter.’

Midori couldn’t help it, her mouth fell open.
Uncle. Sister.
The pieces of the puzzle fell into place. ‘You’re my
cousin
?’ She blinked at Nico.

He shook his head. ‘No, stepcousin. We’re not related by blood, but this is your uncle and aunt, in case you haven’t gathered that already.’ His mouth was a grim line now and his gaze was still frosty.

‘My what?’ Her uncle stared at Nico, entirely forgetting his sister for a moment. ‘That’s impossible. Hannah died.’

‘Er, no, she didn’t, not until last year,’ Midori put in. ‘I have a letter for you from her which proves it.’

‘Well of all the …’ Jacob shook his head. ‘This is too much.’

Midori drew in a deep breath, trying to keep her temper in check. She was in complete agreement with him, but the only person she was angry with was Nico. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ she hissed at him, while the old man fussed over his sister.

‘Because I wasn’t going to come this far,’ he muttered. ‘I was only going to deliver you to the end of the street. You can see why. I’m not welcome here.’

‘No, I can’t actually. This,’ she spread a hand to encompass her confused aunt and uncle, ‘could have been avoided. You shocked them on purpose.’

Nico shrugged. ‘As I said, I didn’t think they cared. And if I’d told you, would you have believed me?’

‘Perhaps. Although you must admit it’s a bit far-fetched.’

‘Precisely my thoughts when you finally told me where you were going.’

‘Well, you should have divulged our relationship then!’ Midori was exasperated beyond words and couldn’t understand what game he’d been playing. ‘Why didn’t you?’ As her uncle had said, it was too much.

‘I’m sorry, but—’

She cut him off. She didn’t want to hear any more excuses right now. ‘Never mind. We can speak of it later,’ she said irritably.

‘Very well.’ His brows drew together and he clamped his mouth shut, glaring at the others.

She decided to ignore Nico for now and went to help her aunt to her feet. ‘I’m sorry, Aunt, I had no idea our arrival here would cause such a shock. Please believe me, it wasn’t my doing.’

But her aunt didn’t seem inclined to accept Midori’s help. Her gaze was as frosty as that of her stepson. ‘You’re my sister’s daughter?’ she asked. ‘My-dowry, did he say?’

‘Mee-
doh
-ri,’ she corrected without thinking. ‘Yes, yes I am.’

‘I’d never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. A heathen!’

‘I’m not a—’ Midori started to defend herself, but Kate interrupted her. She stood up and rounded on Nico instead.

‘And as for you, where have you been, you scoundrel? Thirteen years.
Thirteen years!
And not a word to say you’re even alive. How could you?’

‘Why, Stepmama,’ Nico drawled, ‘how touching that you’ve found your maternal instinct at last. A little late, though, wouldn’t you say?’

Kate raised her hand as if to slap him, but he caught her wrist easily and shook his head. ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Not any longer. I’ve grown a bit, you know.’

‘Enough!’ Jacob raised his voice. ‘You two,’ he nodded at Nico and Midori, ‘come into my counting room, please. Kate, go and lie down for a while. You can argue with Nicholas later, when you’ve recovered. I’m not having you faint again.’

They were ushered into the front room on the ground floor, which had a row of windows overlooking the street outside. Jacob seemed calm as he went to sit behind a table covered in ledgers and other papers, but Midori saw him grip the edge so hard his knuckles whitened. With an effort, he smiled at her. The smile looked forced, but it was there, nonetheless. ‘My dear, I can hardly believe it’s true,’ he said to Midori. His voice quivered with suppressed emotion and she hoped it was because he was happy to see her, not the opposite.

She smiled back at him. ‘I’m so pleased to meet you at last. Mother spoke of you often.’

‘Did she, indeed. Well, well …’ He shook his head. ‘But where are my manners? Please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Would you like any refreshment, my dear? Nicholas?’ He added the last word almost reluctantly.

‘No, thank you,’ Midori said, wondering how she was supposed to make herself comfortable on a hard wooden chair with no cushions.

‘Thank you, but I must be on my way.’ Nico bowed to her uncle and then to Midori before moving towards the door.

‘Where are you going?’ Midori blurted out. She had a sudden urge to plead with him again not to leave her so soon, but she swallowed the impulse. He’d lied to her, or at least withheld vital information. Clearly, he didn’t want to acknowledge their kinship, such as it was, so she shouldn’t care whether he stayed or went.

‘To the inn I told you about,’ he said. ‘There’s no room for me in this house as I recall.’

‘Now, Nicholas, you know that wasn’t what I meant, and it was a long time ago,’ Jacob started to say, but Nico fixed him with a glare.

‘Oh, really? Perhaps manhandling someone out of the door means something different to you? Strangely enough, it made me feel rather unwelcome. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m not staying now.’

‘Will you come back?’ Jacob asked the question Midori wanted to know the answer to as well.

‘Are you asking me to?’ Nico gave the old man a hard stare.

‘Yes, yes, I am. Won’t you come for dinner? It would please Kate.’

Nico snorted. ‘I doubt it, but very well. Until later.’ He nodded to Midori.

She sent him a venomous glance to show him he was far from forgiven. He had some explaining to do, although she wasn’t sure she really wanted to hear what he had to say. She’d decide later. For now, she wanted to get to know her other relatives.

The silence in the room after Nico’s departure was almost tangible and Midori folded her hands inside the sleeves of her
kimono
to stop them from shaking. Her fingers encountered paper and she remembered the letter she had brought.

‘Oh, Uncle, as I said, I have something for you.’ She held out the rolled-up missive and watched as he opened it to read her mother’s last words to him.

When he had finished, he looked up at Midori with a serious expression. ‘So your mother didn’t die after all. All these years I have mourned her passing and there she was, alive and well and living with that …’ He stopped abruptly, as if he couldn’t bear to utter the rest of the sentence.

Midori didn’t know what to reply, so she repeated the tale her mother had often told her. ‘She was washed away in a flood and presumed dead, so you left. She was only concussed, however, but by the time she was found and regained her senses it was too late to catch up with you. What would you have had her do? She didn’t have a choice but to stay and make the best of it.’ Midori didn’t add that she had a shrewd suspicion her mother could have left with her brother if she’d wanted to, but having found love with Taro Kumashiro, she chose to stay behind. There was also the small matter of an English husband, a man she had loathed. ‘Erm, Captain Rydon, the man she was married to, what became of him?’

Midori knew her mother had briefly been married to a friend of Jacob’s, Rafael Rydon, but not by choice. ‘I was forced to wed him,’ Hannah had explained. ‘But we’d agreed to have the marriage annulled as it was never consummated. He promised to see to it the moment he returned to England.’

‘Who, Rydon?’ Jacob looked surprised. ‘He drowned on the same day I thought she did. Just as well, I suppose, or you … never mind.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Don’t you? Didn’t your mother teach you what’s right and wrong? No, I suppose being a sinner herself, that’s not to be expected.’

‘My mother was a good woman.’ Although Midori could see that in her uncle’s eyes her mother had committed many sins, she felt the need to defend her. Hannah hadn’t done anything wrong in her daughter’s opinion.

‘I know, but Hannah was always a little … impulsive, shall we say. She should have been saved from temptation by her family, but we failed her. I, more than anyone else.’ He shook his head, his eyes sad. ‘Well, it is too late now, but it isn’t too late for you, my dear. We’ll have to work hard since you didn’t even receive God’s first blessing, but never doubt we shall manage it, if you’re willing, that is.’

‘God’s first blessing?’

‘Not to be born of pagan parents.’

Midori opened her mouth to protest that her parents weren’t pagan, then closed it again. There was no point arguing with her uncle and it was probably better to tread carefully at first so as not to antagonise anyone unnecessarily. She bowed her head meekly. ‘I see. Will you allow me to stay with you then?’

‘But of course. Come now and I shall introduce you to the rest of the household. They should be in the parlour.’

Nico strode down the hill, looking neither right nor left. He was furious, both with himself for his inept handling of the situation, and with his stepmother and Marston for causing such a scene.
Anyone would have thought they cared!

‘The hell they do,’ he muttered. Kate hadn’t exactly looked pleased to see him, only angry that he hadn’t told her he was alive.
As for that old hypocrite Marston … Bah!

He acknowledged that he should have found a way to tell Midori they were sort of related before their arrival, but somehow it had never seemed like the right moment. The longer he left it, the harder it became. And it shouldn’t have been necessary, since he hadn’t planned on seeing her again after today. Even if she’d told them a man named Nico Noordholt had brought her to Europe, they would never have connected that with him, since he’d changed his name.
All would have been well if I’d only stayed away.

But now she was angry with him and that’s not how he wanted to remember her.

‘Well, good!’ he tried to tell himself. ‘If she’s annoyed, she won’t mind me leaving her here so I can get on with my life.’

But
he
minded, he knew that now. Seeing her there, with her aunt and uncle, she’d looked so out of place, so vulnerable. And his stepmother’s instant verdict, ‘heathen’, summed up how they would view her, he was sure. She’d never fit in here. He’d been mad to think so even for a moment.

So what was he to do?
I need to calm down and think rationally.
At least he had an excuse to return, now he’d been invited to dinner. It was a start.