She edged away. “I have my duty.”
“Tell me you don’t yearn for me.”
“I can’t. If I could I would gladly be your wife. For four years, I must remain alone.”
He rose and dressed. “I’ll come tomorrow night.”
A cry burst from her lips. “Once again, we have made the wrong choice. We have doomed ourselves. Go now and think about what I have said.”
* * *
When Yemon left Hoshi, anger roiled in his thoughts. He remembered the eagerness of her responses. How could she send him away? How could she say they had made the wrong choices? He would go to her and stir her until she confessed her love for him. She hadn’t been able to deny the attraction. How could she deny love?
When he finally calmed down, he sought his bed. His dreams were filled with images of strange places and violent deaths.
In the morning, he went to the emperor’s court and spent the day listening to bits of gossip. He hoped he might learn the identity of Akako’s lover. Once he knew, he could make plans to catch the pair. On the way home he purchased a silk robe and sent it with the tanka to Hoshi.
That evening, he stopped at his betrothed’s house and found her maid. Perhaps she knew when the lovers would meet again. The young woman had a bruise on her face. Yemon handed her a coin. “What happened to you?”
“My mistress was angry. Last night I came to the garden to tell her the master waited to see her.”
“And she hit you?”
The maid nodded. “She was on her knees before a man licking his organ.”
Yemon smiled. He gave the young woman another coin. “When will she meet him again?”
“Tonight. I heard her tell him to come. Why would she want another man when you are her betrothed?”
Yemon shrugged. Instead of going to Hoshi, he entered his favorite tea house. His friends were gathered at their usual table. He would listen to their gossip and perhaps find clues to the identity of Akako’s lover. Though the young men were full of stories, he heard nothing he could use. Once the moon rose, he left and walked to Hoshi’s house.
Silently, he entered the garden. He stopped to pick one of the long stemmed lilies and made his way to her room.
Hoshi sprawled face down on the mat. Yemon studied her nude body. A narrow waist gave way to wider hips. The sight of her firm buttocks inflamed him. He stripped and knelt between her legs.
As he ran the lily along her spine, he saw a hint of a smile on her face. She started to roll to the side but he pressed his hands against her buttocks. “Stay as you are.”
“Yemon?”
“Who else would creep into your bed to steal your breath and make your body burn?” He leaned forward and nipped the skin of her shoulders. He ran his tongue along her nape and massaged her taut muscles.
She sighed. “That feels good. I’m sore from practice. Ishi’s hands aren’t strong enough to knead deeply.”
“Oil?” he asked.
“On the table.”
He rose and found the bottle. When he returned to her side, he poured oil into his hands to warm. Then he began to stroke and massage the knots from her shoulders and the tension from her spine.
“Yemon,” she whispered.
“Soon I will come into you and we will soar.”
“We shouldn’t.”
“But we will.” He kissed her shoulders and ran his tongue along her spine. He slid his hands beneath her body and stroked her belly. She raised her hips. His fingers found her slid and he caressed the tiny nub he knew would make her wild.
Her cries raised his ardor. The movement of her body enticed. He spread her legs and thrust inside. Deep growls rose from his depths. He would claim her in this life as he had in those visions of the past. He thrust harder and took greedy tastes. “As you have always been, you are mine. I have dreamed of strange places where time and again we have met and loved.”
She sighed. “To love is right but to forget honor is wrong.”
He nipped her lower lip. “To put duty first is wrong. I love you now and I always will.”
“If what you say is true, will you stay away from me until I’m free?”
“How can I do that? I’m willing to give up my quest for wealth and power. Can’t you turn away from the duty you’ve assumed, a duty that shouldn’t be yours? Surely there are other males in your family who can stand as your brother’s guardian.”
She turned away. “If I hadn’t claimed the position, I would be Saburo’s wife. He’s the one who arranged my father’s death.”
Yemon recalled the scene he’d overheard in the alley. The ronin was dead. “Have you proof?”
“No. Believe me or not. Saburo is evil and treacherous. Go find another woman for your house.”
“I love you.”
“Now isn’t the time for love. Leave me. From this night, there will be guards at the gates.”
Yemon rose and dressed. As he departed, he considered her words. He would find a way past those guards. The next day, his plans came to naught for he was sent from the city on another mission for the emperor.”
* * *
Two lunars passed without a visit from Yemon or Saburo. Keyoshi’s teachers had arrived and Hoshi’s days were spent honing her skills with bow and sword.
As she bound her breasts, she winced. Why were they so tender? She couldn’t remember being struck on the chest during the most recent practice bout.
Ishi reached for the padded coat. The maid frowned.
“Is there a problem?” Hoshi asked.
“Are you in truth no longer a woman?”
“Why would you ask that?”
The girl stared at the floor. “You haven’t had your woman’s time since before your father’s death.”
Hoshi sank on a stool. What Ishi said was true. Hoshi knew what her tender breasts meant. She recalled the day years ago when her mother first knew she was with child. Hoshi had bumped her mother’s chest and her mother had cried.
Hoshi grasped Ishi’s arm. “Tell no one.”
“Not even Chika?”
“I will speak to her.” She prayed the older woman would have a solution for the problem. Surely there were ways to undo what had happened. She donned the armor and went to practice with the men.
* * *
A sound woke Hoshi. She grasped her dagger.
“Hoshi.”
“Yemon, what are you doing here?”
“I would have come before but I was sent on a mission. I have returned and we will make plans so we can be together.”
She tensed. She couldn’t let him love her. He would discover the changes in her body and force a marriage. He served the emperor and as her husband would become her brother’s guardian. “How can you think about making plans? My servants have heard tales of your betrothal. Your wedding will be soon.”
“The betrothal will be broken.”
“Then leave. Do not return until you are no longer bound to this woman.”
He pulled her into his arms and sought her mouth. Her body responded to the urgings of his mouth and hands. “How can you send me away when you ache for me?”
“If I scream, the guards will come and end your life.” He held an anguished cry inside. “We cannot make love again. I won’t have your blood on my hands.”
He released her. “I’ll leave. In the morning, I’ll send a gift that expresses my feelings for you.”
His anger vibrated the air. What did he plan?
* * *
Yemon clenched his fists. How could he persuade her to accept his offer of marriage? First he had to end his betrothal. Akako had had two lunars to enjoy the company of her lover. Would she have grown careless? He walked to the house where she lived with her father and paused at the garden gate. With stealth, he slipped inside. Even if she wasn’t with her liver, he would confront her with his knowledge.
The soft murmur of voices was followed by the cries of a woman in the throes of passion. Yemon ran along the path. Did he
have his proof? He reached the entwined couple in time to hear the man climax. Yemon grabbed the man and pressed a knife to his throat. “Saburo,” he shouted. “Assassin,” Akako screamed.
“Faithless woman,” Yemon spat. “You have betrayed me and shamed your father.”
Servants and guards ran into the garden. Yemon kept his hold on his enemy.
Akako’s father arrived. “What is happening here?” He roared a curse and grabbed his naked daughter. “Have you no honor?” He shook her and flung her away. He approached Yemon and the struggling Saburo. “Betrayer.” He plunged a knife into Saburo’s chest.
Yemon released his hold on the body. He glared at Akako. “The betrothal is ended.”
She spat. “If you think to find another, you won’t. You’ll be sorry you harmed Saburo. He knew who you visited before you left the city. He told me and she will pay.” She ran to the house.
Yemon turned to Akako’s father. “You will declare the betrothal is ended or I will have her examined and the shame published for all to know.” He left the garden and went to tell his father what had occurred.
* * *
Hoshi looked at the fugu fish and read the note that had arrived this morning. This must be the gift Yemon had promised. Had he written the note? She had seen his writing but once and had thrown the tanka away. Who else would have sent the fish? She read the message again.
This gift shows my sadness, Can you accept the challenge?
Would he try to kill her? Fugu could be dangerous. Was this a test of her courage? She cut a piece of the flesh and ate. How long before she knew?
Ishi appeared at the door. “A man begs to see you.”
“Send him in.”
Yemon entered. He stared at the fugu. “What is this?”
“Your gift and I have eaten.”
“I did not send it.”
“Who, then?”
He groaned. “Last night, I foundry betrothed in the garden with Saburo. They were unclothed and in a compromising position. Her father killed Saburo. I believe she sent the fish.”
“Why?”
“She blames me for his death. She vowed revenge. Saburo told her I had been visiting with you in your garden.”
Hoshi opened her mouth to speak. Garbled sounds emerged. She gasped for breath.
Yemon sliced a piece of the fugu and ate.
“Why?” Hoshi managed to gasp the words.
“I love you more than wealth and power. Since I can’t be with you in life, I will be there in death.” He gathered her into his arms and held her when the convulsions began. “Would that you had chosen love over duty. This you must remember when next we meet.”
* * *
Duncan stared at Astrid’s convulsing body. He plucked the netsuke from her hand and caught images of a man and woman. He began to shake. He opened his hand. The small ivory carving fell on the floor.
Astrid’s body stilled. Duncan held her in his arms. If this had happened when she was alone, she could have died. He would forbid any more sessions.
Forbid? How could he do that? He was her lover of the moment but not forever. Why not?”
Astrid’s moans cut off those thoughts. Her eyes fluttered open but they were unfocused. “Why did you eat the fugu? Why did you choose death?”
“Astrid, it’s Duncan.”
Awareness crept into her eyes. “Death, always death.”
Duncan kissed her forehead. He offered comfort, not the dreams that would consume them. “Tell me all you remember.”
She drew a deep breath. “You must remember to choose love over duty.” She met Duncan’s gaze. “They almost succeeded in breaking the curses. He did. She didn’t. There were two who opposed them. The evil ones won again. She was with child when she died. They should kept their live apart from the physical.” Tears filled her eyes. “What happened is a jumble of many times and places.”
He stroked her back. “How did she die?”
“She ate from a fish she thought her lover had sent.”
“A fish?”
“Puffer fish. Fatal for at least fifty percent of those who eat the poisoned fish. If prepared properly there is no danger. If not death kills in ten minutes to four hours. Even cooking doesn’t destroy the toxin.”
He shuddered. “Remind me never to eat any.”
She stretched. “While being here with you is great, I need to see my dad.”
“Why?”
“For his permission to change the locks at Antiquities. I think Clive has been stealing.”
He nodded. “You’re in no condition to drive. Take a nap. When you wake, I’ll share the information I received about Clive.”
He held her until her body relaxed. After covering her with a sheet, he went to his office to complete some business matters. Then he tried Clive’s numbers and left a message for his friend to call.
Astrid slept until early evening. She stepped into the study. “Is it as late as my watch says?”
He nodded. “Afraid so. Are you hungry?”
“Famished.”
He pulled two bottles of iced tea from the small refrigerator. “Let me order pizza. Then we’ll talk.”
“Sounds great.”
Duncan made the call. “They’ll be here in twenty minutes. I have to go down and unlock the gate.” He strode to the door. “I don’t think you’ll see your dad tonight.”
“I’ll go tomorrow.” She followed him downstairs.
By the time the pizza arrived, Astrid had made a salad and eaten several mouthfuls. Duncan put the box on the table. Astrid slid a slice from the box and took a large bite. In a short time, she reached for a second slice.
“Duncan chuckled. “You weren’t joking about being hungry. Feeling any better?”
“Much. So, what did your hound sniff out about Clive?”
“Make that a bloodhound. Rick would like that as a title.” He told her what the detective had learned.
She frowned. “That means Dad will have to check every jeweled piece sold since he hired Clive.”
“Afraid so. There’s more. Seems Clive and Lorna are married.”
Astrid’s eyes flashed with anger. “So he plays a double game. Substituting paste for jewels and luring you into an affair. What if you had become sexually involved with her?”
“I’d have ended up at the center of a nasty divorce or blackmailed into handing over a large bit of cash.”
Astrid looked up. “Or dead with Clive ready to step in as your closest relative.”
A shiver slithered along Duncan’s spine. “I never thought of that.”
Astrid arched a brow. “Looks like you’re the one in danger.”
“Maybe not. Our meeting thwarted their plan. They might want revenge. Stay here with me.”
She studied her hands. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
She rose and walked to the door. “Because I’m falling in love with you. I can’t be just another fling.” She started down the leading to the garage area.
Duncan rose to follow and sank back on the chair. What now? He cared for her but did his feelings go deeper? Until he knew the answer, he had to let her go.
* * *
Astrid entered her apartment and leaned against the door. Why had she told him about her feelings? She could have kept quiet and just vanished from his life. Was that possible? For the next two years, she would be living in Rockleigh or nearby. There would be chance encounters. How long would it take to get past the hurt? Love had to be mutual or it was not worth any heartache.
She entered the main room and saw the answering machine flashing. She listened to the messages. One puzzled her. A woman identifying herself as Astrid’s advisor for the Masters’ program announced a mandatory meeting for Thursday from nine until noon.
Astrid called Paula. “I’ve a problem with our lunch date. I have to be in the city until noon.”
“No problem,” Paula said. “I’ll call Jan and we’ll reschedule for Friday.”
“Thanks. See you then.” She dropped the receiver in the cradle.
Chapter Eight
Peru
Astrid opened the apartment door and stepped onto the deck. If she left now, she would be at the rehab center in time to watch several of her dad’s therapy sessions. Watching might give her a clue of what to expect when he was discharged. She wondered when that would be. She took a deep breath. Over lunch, she had to tell him about her suspicions of Clive.
Sarah appeared at the foot of the steps. “I’ glad I caught you. Clive hasn’t arrived to open the shop.”
“Let me give you the extra keys. Keep them in case he doesn’t show.” Astrid returned to the apartment. Moments alter she dropped the ring in Sarah’s hand.
“Thanks. I don’t know what’s wrong with Clive lately.”
Astrid knew but she couldn’t say anything until she spoke to her father. The older woman might let something slip and Clive would be gone before her father learned the truth. “How was Dad last evening?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Stubborn and antsy.”
“How so.”
Sarah chuckled. “He wants to come home last week.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“When I told him about the apartment, he refused to believe Clive was responsible for the break-in. He said he should have changed the locks years ago. Was upset when I said you didn’t call the police.”
“I’ll talk to him.” Astrid recalled the report Duncan had shown her. “I can give him something he might believe. I need to make a call I would rather avoid.”
“Duncan?” Sarah asked.
“None other. I’ve decided not to see him again.”
“Sorry to hear that. What did he do?”
“Nothing.” A knot formed in Astrid’s gut. “I told him how I feel about him and he didn’t say a word, just snapped orders.” She swallowed. “I fell in love and it’s hard to know he hasn’t.”
Past Betrayals, Past Loves Page 24