She knew that in this time and place they couldn’t officially marry, and Hannah was sure her mother was back in England rolling over in her grave at the thought that her only child was seriously considering being nothing much but a trumped-up mistress.
And Hannah also knew she was selfish enough not to give a flying fig. There was no way in hell she was about to give up being with this man, and if she had to spend the rest of her days chipping away at his rigid society and snooty family to get the respect as his wife that she deserved, then she was willing to give it one hell of a try.
“All right, then,” she said with a saucy smile. “What time do we leave?”
Though his eyes didn’t reflect it all the way, the brightness of Katsuhiro’s smile warmed Hannah as much as the afternoon sun spilling down upon her shoulders. “In a few hours, but first I need to test you to make certain you can serve me well in the manner I wish.”
“And I imagine that test will be taking place in your room, probably on your bed.”
“It will. You aren’t going to try and escape, are you?”
“Will you tie me up if I try to run?” Hannah asked with a wink.
“I may tie you even if you don’t.”
Laughing and feeling happier than she ever had, Hannah jumped from his lap and trotted back toward the inn.
~ * ~
Glossary
Daifuku ‑‑ Glutinous rice cake stuffed with a sweetened filling.
Engawa ‑‑ Veranda surrounding a Japanese house.
Fundoshi ‑‑ Male undergarment akin to a loincloth.
Gaijin ‑‑ Foreigner.
Hakama ‑‑ Traditional Japanese clothing mainly for men. Resembling a wide, pleated skirt but often divided like trousers
Haori ‑‑ a jacket length kimono coat, akin to a man’s suit jacket.
Irete ‑‑ “Put it in.”
Katana ‑‑ A long sword, the samurai’s primary weapon,
Motto ‑‑ More.
Ochoko ‑‑ Sake cup.
Okaasan ‑‑ Mother.
Shoji ‑‑ Sliding door made of wood and translucent paper.
Shunga ‑‑ Erotic pictures.
Tanto ‑‑ A dagger with a blade shaped similarly to the katana blade.
Yukata ‑‑ Similar to a kimono but for casual wear, made of cotton instead of silk and unlined.
Barbara Sheridan
Barbara Sheridan is lover of Asian music and films, romantic stories, 19th century history and all things paranormal. When she can combine any of these elements in her fiction she’s a very happy camper indeed.
Find out more about Barbara by visiting her at www.barbarasheridan.net.
Samurai Captive Page 10