He did catch on fast, and they both became absorbed in the lesson. At one point Hannah put her hand over his to guide him when forming one of the more complicated letters, and the small touch sent a frisson of awareness through her. She let go as soon as she could, but not before he’d turned to stare into her eyes for a moment.
‘I … uhm, you’re making progress,’ she said.
He nodded and smiled. ‘I know.’
Somehow Hannah had a feeling there was a hidden meaning in his words, but she didn’t allow herself to think about it. She was probably just imagining things anyway. There was no reason why he should feel the spark of attraction that ignited inside her at the merest touch, she told herself. To him, she was no doubt still an ugly foreigner.
‘Are you married, Hannah-san?’ he asked suddenly.
‘I was.’ Hannah bit her lip, wondering how to explain the unusual circumstances of her marriage. ‘The marriage is to be annulled though. My, er, husband and I agreed we didn’t suit.’
‘I see. So you’re a free woman. The marriage is over.’
‘Yes.’ Hannah didn’t bother to add that it was a bit more complicated than that. She had no idea how such matters were handled in Japan, but as far as she was concerned, her marriage was finished. She’d never agreed to it in the first place and she had Rydon’s consent to the annulment in writing. There was no going back.
‘Well, there is no dishonour in that. Marriages don’t always work out and when it happens, the husband can decide they should part.’
Hannah didn’t know what to say. Lord Kumashiro probably wouldn’t understand if she tried to explain that the matter might be viewed differently in England. She wasn’t even sure herself whether other people would blame her for the failed marriage. Annulments happened and as far as Hannah had heard, the two parties often married again. Not that she cared either way. She’d spent two years thinking her reputation was completely ruined and although Jacob had tried to rectify that, he hadn’t succeeded. Whatever she did now, she was beyond the pale and who knew what the future might hold? She didn’t even know whether she’d ever leave this place or see her homeland again.
A clacking sound interrupted her thoughts and made them both turn round. Hannah saw a very old man approaching along the path, slowly with the aid of a walking stick. He was almost completely bald, his face and the top of his head burnished by the sun, and he had a white goatee beard that wafted in the breeze.
‘Yanagihara-san,’ Lord Kumashiro stood up and gave the old man a courteous bow, which was reciprocated to the best of the Sensei’s ability. ‘What brings you here this afternoon? I mentioned you earlier and how we used to come here together when I was younger.’
‘We did indeed, my lord.’ Yanagihara smiled, showing largely toothless gums. ‘Happy times.’
‘This is the Lady Hannah,’ Lord Kumashiro said. Hannah had also shot to her feet and now bowed low. ‘She is my teacher today. I’m learning foreign kana.’
‘Oh? That sounds interesting. It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Hannah-san.’ Yanagihara bowed back, then straightened up as much as he could and leaned on his cane while studying Hannah with his still sharp gaze.
‘And you. I have heard much about you.’ Hannah hesitated, not sure whether it would be polite to ask him about his vision of her.
He nodded as if he understood anyway. ‘Lord Kumashiro told you, eh? It’s true, I foretold your coming, but I had no idea you would be such a gracious lady.’
‘You really thought I’d be a threat?’ Hannah couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up. ‘I’m sorry, but I’m sure you can see now that such an idea is ludicrous.’
Yanagihara grinned back. ‘Yes, but there are different kinds of threat. Some can come from the inside.’ He glanced at Lord Kumashiro and Hannah saw the latter raise his eyebrows in a silent question. Yanagihara shook his head and returned his gaze to Hannah. ‘But you’re right, you are not a threat in any way.’
Hannah wasn’t sure if she imagined it, but she sensed Lord Kumashiro relax next to her. ‘So you think she …?’ he asked enigmatically.
‘Yes,’ Yanagihara said, his voice firm. ‘Yes, it is your fate.’
Hannah looked from one to the other and back again. ‘What is?’ she asked, confused by this turn in the conversation.
‘To be taught by you,’ Lord Kumashiro answered smoothly. ‘Would you care to join us, Sensei?’
‘No, thank you. My old bones prefer the comfort of my room and its cushions. But I would very much like to speak with you again some time, Lady Hannah. Perhaps you would be kind enough to visit me on one of my strong days? I’ll send word.’
‘I would be honoured.’
‘Good, good. I will leave you to your lesson then. Goodbye.’
They watched in silence for a moment as Yanagihara walked off. Then Hannah turned to Lord Kumashiro. ‘Er, shall we continue?’ she prompted.
‘Perhaps later,’ he said. Again, she had the feeling his words conveyed a completely different meaning compared to what she heard. He gazed at her, a small smile making his dimples appear, and the sudden heat in his eyes made her turn away to hide the fact that she was blushing. ‘I will see you tonight, Hannah-san,’ he added.
The teaching session obviously at an end, he stood up and Hannah followed him back to the castle without a word, her thoughts in turmoil. She had a feeling that something had changed between them this afternoon, but whether that was good or bad she didn’t know.
But God help her, she was already looking forward to seeing him again.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Shortly after dark that evening, one of her ladies came to tell her that her presence was required in the bath house.
‘In the o-furo?’ Hannah blinked and felt her cheeks heat up. ‘Now?’ This could only mean one thing and she wasn’t sure she was ready. But whether she was or not was clearly irrelevant – she had no choice and nowhere to run. She could accept her fate or fight against it, but either way, he would have his way in the end.
‘Yes, Hannah-san.’ The serving woman bowed and waited.
Hannah swallowed hard and followed the maid without further questions.
What did it matter, she thought. To all intents and purposes she was already a fallen woman. And if she was completely honest with herself, she didn’t want to fight this. Lord Kumashiro wasn’t Hesketh or Rydon. Being near him didn’t repulse her in the slightest and now that the first shock of his summons had died down, it was replaced by a shiver of excitement that snaked down her spine. She had her answer.
She wanted him.
She knew she should fight the attraction she felt for him. Nothing good could come of this. Letting him make love to her was wrong. A sin. They weren’t married and never would be. And in the eyes of the church and English law, she was still Rydon’s wife. Even if she’d been free, Lord Kumashiro would never promise her anything other than the here and now. It wasn’t enough.
Then why was she so tempted?
You’re irrevocably compromised already, another little voice inside her head murmured. It was true. She had spent weeks away from Rydon and her brother now and they would assume the worst had already happened. So why not let it? She’d been kidnapped by what they would call barbarians and her honour, such as it was, would be tarnished whether anything occurred between her and Lord Kumashiro this night or not. And you are going to have your marriage to Rydon annulled in any case, the voice continued.
So why not give in?
She continued along the path.
The bath house looked almost eerie in the light from the many garden lanterns. Some of the steam escaped through small open windows to hang in the air outside like a fine mist on a summer’s morning. The night was still, although Hannah could hear distant sounds of music and laughter. They were coming from far away, and made her feel as if she was in a different world.
The maid held open the door to the bath house and Hannah stepped inside. She heard the door close b
ehind her and turned to thank the maid, but the woman had gone. Hannah was left alone in the semi-darkness of the wash-room, which was lit by only a small lantern. The place seemed to be deserted and she took a hesitant step forward. All was quiet in here, apart from the occasional splash of a droplet onto the floor as the condensation became too much for the beams to bear.
‘Hello? Is there anyone here?’
Someone came slowly through the door on the far side, which led to the hot spring, and Hannah drew in a sharp breath. It was Lord Kumashiro, wearing nothing but a small drying cloth draped round his middle. His usually immaculate top knot was gone and instead the blue-black hair hung loose down to his shoulders, straight and shiny. His skin glowed in the light from the lantern, his muscles standing out in relief as the shadows played over him. Hannah felt her eyes widen.
He was all sleek and hard, like a well-trained animal. A flame of fear shot through her, but at the same time she was fascinated and couldn’t take her eyes off him. He reminded her of a predator, a cat waiting to pounce. And she was the prey, no doubt about that. She shuffled backwards towards the safety of the door.
He stepped further into the room and regarded her from under hooded lids. ‘Are you afraid of me, Akai?’ he asked, almost casually.
‘I … I … No.’ Hannah backed up another step as he came closer, her actions contradicting her words.
‘There’s no need. I won’t hurt you. I’ll only give you pleasure, I promise.’ He stretched out a hand and put his fingers gently under her chin so she was forced to look into his eyes.
‘P-pleasure?’ Hannah was caught in his gaze, held against her will. She didn’t really register his words at first.
‘In the bedding,’ he clarified.
‘Oh.’ She turned her head away, the fear inside her exploding and making her legs turn to jelly.
He turned her face back, again holding her chin gently. She could see that he was scowling. ‘What’s this? You told me you’d been married.’
‘Uhm, yes, but …’ Hannah could feel the hot flush of embarrassment that flooded her cheeks. How could she tell him about her wedding night? About the sheer terror she’d felt? He would think her a coward who had failed in her duty to her husband. And he’d be right.
His expression cleared and he gave her an encouraging smile. ‘Ah, I see. You’re afraid I won’t want you because you’ve been with another man? Well, you can put your mind at rest, it doesn’t matter to me.’
Hannah didn’t know what to say. Lord Kumashiro wouldn’t understand if she tried to explain and she wondered if it would be any use anyway. He looked as though he’d already made up his mind and nothing she could say would deter him. And she didn’t really want to. Despite the fear, there was a part of her that was curious and eager to find out what love-making with him would be like.
No, Hannah, this won’t do. You have to stand firm, her conscience prodded. If you tell him you’re not willing, perhaps he won’t touch you. But her body ignored the little voice inside her. It had other ideas.
Standing so close to his broad chest, she had an almost irresistible urge to reach out and touch him. He was so beautifully made. His skin looked very soft, yet with the hard muscles of a warrior underneath, and his hair – how she longed to run her fingers through it … She turned away from temptation, trying to fight the impulse. ‘Why me?’ she asked, her voice coming out in an anguished whisper.
‘Because I want you,’ he said simply.
Hannah turned back and stared at him. She could see that he was serious. And he didn’t just want her because she was available, or a novelty, a new wife to bend to his will the way Hesketh would have done. Lord Kumashiro desired her, Hannah, in particular. For once he was letting her glimpse his feelings and she could see it in his eyes. It was a powerfully seductive incentive. She sighed. She really ought to tell Lord Kumashiro her so called marriage was a sham and hadn’t been consummated. That she was afraid of the act of love-making. But how could she confess this to a man who valued courage above everything? To him, being afraid was the same as losing face.
‘Actually, I didn’t like it much,’ she breathed at last, trying to sound nonchalant, although she wasn’t sure she succeeded. She wrenched away from him, putting her arms around herself in a protective gesture. ‘The bedding, I mean. It … it was horrible.’
‘I see. Your husband wasn’t gentle?’
Hannah gave a mirthless little laugh. ‘No. Most definitely not.’ She looked up defiantly. ‘He tried it only once and I told him if it ever happened again I would kill him.’ She decided not to confess that Rydon hadn’t finished what he started. It seemed irrelevant.
Lord Kumashiro smiled and, as always, those dimples worked their magic on her. She relaxed slightly.
‘It will be better with me, Akai.’
Hannah stared at the floor, still not convinced.
‘I won’t hurt you. I promise that if you trust me, it will be very different this time. You’ll like it, I swear.’
Hannah felt torn. Dared she believe him?
She made the mistake of looking into his eyes. They were willing her to trust him and she felt drawn towards him as if he was pulling on an invisible string. Gone was the fierce feudal lord and instead she saw the fascinating, intelligent man she had glimpsed during their evening talks. Could she trust him? Did she want him to touch her?
The answer was definitely yes.
But what if she refused? Would he try to force her, the way the others had done? Somehow, she didn’t think so. He was much more subtle.
She took a step forward and his smile appeared again, firing her blood. Still, he waited, and she took one more step so that they were standing only inches apart. She closed her eyes, vacillating. He seemed to be waiting for her permission before touching any part of her, but giving him that would take great courage. It would go against all that she knew was right.
Letting Lord Kumashiro do as he wished would make her at best a sinful woman, at worst an adulteress. She took a deep breath and stepped even closer.
‘That’s better,’ he murmured, his voice soothing, as if he knew the inner turmoil she was suffering and wanted to help her ease it. He was a hardened warrior, who respected courage, but she doubted he would ever know how much courage it had taken to propel her this far.
His hand came up to stroke her cheek, her nose, eyes and mouth. His fingers traced the outline of her lips. When she opened them to breathe he slipped one finger inside, playing gently. A strange sensation shot through her and she leaned forward, her cheek touching his bare chest, which was smooth and hairless. He continued to caress her hair and neck in silence, until the worst of the fear subsided in her. Then he pulled her close and held her body next to his.
‘Akai,’ he whispered.
The heat of him seared her through her robe, and she stiffened. His hands began to play up and down her back, as if he was gentling a scared animal, and it worked. When she became pliant in his arms he said, ‘Come, let me wash you.’
‘What?’ She broke free and looked up, fresh alarm rushing through her. ‘But Lord Kumashiro …’
‘And call me Taro, please, when we are alone together.’ He took her hand to lead her over to a stool. Before she could utter a word, he undid her belt and pushed her robe down over her shoulders, exposing the white skin.
‘No, er, Taro,’ she protested, but he shushed her like a child and pulled her close once again. At the same time, he pushed the robe off her arms and threw it to the floor. Her knees buckled and she sank down on the stool, crossing her arms in front of her chest. She was alone with a man and she was naked. She had never felt so exposed or vulnerable in her entire life. Nor so mortified. Any moment now he would comment on her lack of a figure and she would be utterly humiliated.
He said nothing.
Instead he startled her further by casting aside his towel so that he was as naked as herself. She had never seen a man with all his clothes off before and stared in speechless s
tupefaction. For a moment she forgot her own embarrassment. As if from far away, she heard him chuckle, then he reached for a bucket and a wash cloth and began to apply it to her back.
‘I can manage,’ she protested half-heartedly, but he shook his head.
‘I will wash you and then you wash me.’ He continued, with slow, deliberate strokes and gently pulled her arms away so that he could wash her front as well. Hannah gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, but still he didn’t tell her he was disappointed with her looks. He didn’t stop until she had been thoroughly cleaned. ‘Your turn,’ he said and put the cloth into her limp hand.
Hannah stood on shaky legs and he took her place on the stool. After staring at his back for a moment, she began to wash him as if in a trance. This can’t be happening, she thought, but his soft skin felt very real under her fingers. After a while she admitted to herself how much she enjoyed touching it. Smooth and olive-hued, it was spellbinding. Magnificent even. And so warm … She looked up to see him smiling at her over his shoulder, his eyes glittering in the light.
‘This is not so bad, neh? I’m not old and wrinkled or distasteful to you.’
‘Er, no. You’re very well made.’ What else could she say? It was the truth after all.
‘And your husband? Was he the same?’
Hannah blinked. ‘I don’t know. It was dark and I think he had most of his clothes on.’
Taro shook his head as if he considered foreigners mad, but he didn’t comment. Instead he stood up and turned her around to pull her back close to his body. Hannah jumped nervously. ‘Relax,’ he whispered, and pushed the heavy mass of her hair over one shoulder before bending down to kiss her neck. His mouth blazed a trail up to beneath her ear, while his hands caressed her flat stomach and the curve of her breasts. To her surprise, Hannah found that she liked the strange sensations shimmering through her.
‘I believe I shall write a haiku in honour of your neck tomorrow,’ he whispered huskily. ‘It’s exquisite, and so long, like that of a tsuru, the beautiful crane.’
The Scarlet Kimono (Choc Lit) Page 22