The Gilded Fan (Choc Lit) by Courtenay Christina

Author:Courtenay, Christina [Courtenay, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, far east, adventure, fiction
Publisher: Choc Lit
Published: 2012-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

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.

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