The Samurai's Lady Read online

  As he walked back along the cobbled footpath he could not help thinking that if he"d only gone to Hirado sooner perhaps he could have forestalled the ship"s departure, at least until she had been strong enough to travel back with them. The Factor had told him the whole story. Katharine had hidden aboard the vessel and had not been discovered until the night of the storm that had washed her up on the beach. She had, evidently thought it was the Mary Haven she was boarding. But that ship had left that afternoon and instead she hid on the Spanish Queen bound for the Japans and Macao.

  Why had she felt the need to escape her homeland? What had made staying so detestable that she would risk death to get away? He did not wish to consider what would have surely happened if he had not been on the beach when she had been washed ashore by the tide.

  As he considered it now, her beauty would facilitate his plan. Although her hair was wavy it was the right color and could be styled so as not to draw attention. Her eyes were brown and almond shaped and with a little makeup could appear oriental. She was alittle on the tall side but at 5"9, he was taller than his peers. It was not until later that evening that he told her of the rest of the plan. “You want me to what? Are you out of your mind?”

  “No.” He eyed her seriously. “You look very much like us already.” He smiled. “With Michiko"s expert hand at applying your make up you will have no problems withyour appearance.”

  “And what do I do about talking? I suppose you want me to remain mute?” He laughed aloud. “I had thought of it. But I don"t think it would work. No. I will teach you our language.”

  “It could take a long time.” She pointed out. The sound of his laughter did something to her senses and she strove for the return of inner calmness. “Perhaps.” He acknowledged with a smile. “But you are a very bright woman. I am sure you will pick it up very quickly”

  Katharine knew she was blushing at the complement and it annoyed her. She lowered her eyes and heard his deep chuckle.

  “Lessons will begin tomorrow morning after breakfast, Katsuko.”

  “Katsuko?”

  “Yes. It will be your name from now on.” He told her. You"ll get used to it.” He smiled. “Tonight Michiko will show you how to have a bath.”

  “I believe I can bathe quite well on my own, thank you.”

  “Not in the O-furo.” He said, unoffended at her attempt at haughtiness. After the evening meal he explained to her that in Japan one soaped and rinsed first so that no suds would be taken into the deep, round barrel tub they used for soaking.

  Then he went out to the veranda, leaving the women alone.

  “Imperious twit.” Katharine muttered under her breath as he left. Had she heard him laugh quietly as he stepped outside, she wondered as she followed the older woman to the bathhouse at the back of the complex.

  Later he came in to get his flute. He was the only one in the house to hear her scream.

  He ran down the corridor and unceremoniously flung open the door. She jumped halfway out of the tub on seeing him and not the servant woman; blistering water splashed over her making the pain worse.

  “What is it? What"s all the commotion?” The last thing he needed was for her to be discovered.

  Suddenly his fear and anger dissolved when he saw the young, defenseless woman, half-standing half sitting in the tub of steaming water. He should have warned her. Of course, the water would be scalding hot against her skin; she was not used to the high temperature to which the water had been heated. “Sit still.” He told her. “Relax.” He added in a softer tone. “Let your body get used to it. The more you move around the more pain it will cause.” “What are you doing here?” She asked.

  There was no towel within reach. The only way to regain her composure and a semblance of modesty was to do as he said and cover herself with the water. “Your servant did this.” She shot at him. “She hates me. In fact, the more I think about it, you probably told her to heat that water so high.”

  “I assure you I didn"t, although you probably won"t believe me. But to satisfy myself I shall ask Michiko. If she has done this, she will answer for it. Finish your bath.” He commanded and strode out of the room.

  She hated this place, and the man who was keeping her here. Its beauty was deceptive. Behind its subtle charm, its men were poisonous, as sharp as adder"s tongues.

  He found Michiko tending her orchids.

  “Fujito Sama.” She turned. “Komban wa. Good evening.”

  “Komban wa.” He answered stiffly. “Michiko?” He asked.

  She turned from her work to look him in the eye.

  “Lady Davenport has the idea you deliberately overheated the water. Did you?” “Of course not. If she cannot stand the heat perhaps she shouldn"t be here.” Her eyes flashed controlled fire.

  “Thank you.” He smiled. He knew she would have liked to do just what he had accused her of, but he also knew she respected him enough not to hurt those whom he had placed under his protection.

  Twenty minutes later Katharine stood up and painfully climbed out of the tub. Her skin was red and pruned; she was sure she would blister.

  Slowly, achingly, she lifted the kimono from the stool beside the bath and painfully placed it around her, with scorching fingers she tied the narrow obi around her waist.

  The smooth cotton was cool against her burning skin. Silently, on scorched feet, she made her way to her bedroom where, sure she wouldn"t be heard she lay on the futon and cried tears of bitterness, full of misery and shame. To have him catch her in a compromising position of undress was more than she could bear. She didn"t hear the door slide open a few moments later. Fujito"s bare feet made no sound on the tatami matting as he came to kneel beside her.

  “Are you all right?” He asked gently. “I should have warned you. I"m sorry.” The apology was for both the water and for barging in without identifying himself. “Oh yes.” She glared at him through her tears. “It"s all very well saying you"re sorry now, now that you"ve embarrassed me to the heavens. All I want to do is go home.I never asked to be boiled like a lobster.”

  He only just kept himself from chuckling, but couldn"t stop a slow smile from tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Let me see.” When she pulled back he reminded hergently, “I"m a doctor, remember?”

  She allowed him to look at her reddened skin.

  “I asked Michiko about the water.” He said rolling the sleeve of her kimono gently up past her elbow. “She assures me she didn"t heat the water too hot.” There was a short pause as he examined her shoulders and then her legs.

  “You will be fine in a few days. I"ll make up a salve for you.” He rearranged her kimono. “I know it"s difficult for you, Katsuko, Katharine.” He said more gently. “Everything is new and different and hard to get used to. Our bodies are accustomed tothe hot water from childhood so of course I didn"t think that you would be hurt by it.Please forgive me?”

  His humble request took her by surprise.“Yes, of course.”

  “ Come and have some tea. It will make you feel better.” He smiled. Unexpectedly he leaned forward and hooked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. His finger just brushed her cheek. It felt like a flame had scorched her skin. The following morning Fujito told her to follow him outside for her first lesson in Japanese.

  “I feel as if every piece of skin I have has been burned to a cinder.” She complained kneeling awkwardly.

  “I noticed you were moving a little stiffly this morning.” He agreed, smiling. “Why don"t you sit comfortably for you and forget convention this morning?” He suggested kindly. She accepted with relief.

  He got to his feet in one fluid movement and went back into the house, returning a few moments later with a stone jar. Then kneeling he examined her blisters. Scooping some of the ointment out with the fingers of one hand, he pulled her kimono down at the back to reveal her neck and shoulders with the other. She felt the coolness against her skin and the gentle movement of his hand as he spread it over her parched skin.

&n
bsp; “Ahhh.”

  She heard his low chuckle. “Better?” He asked close to her ear.

  “Considerably. Thank you.” She kept her voice calm even as her heart beat rapidly at his closeness.

  Once the ministration was concluded, the lessons began.

  “You"ve heard me talking to my servants. Are there any words you"ve wondered about?”

  “Those were words? I thought they were guttural noises.” She was immediately sorry for her words but instead of being angry, Fujito laughed.

  “I suppose they would sound like that to the untrained ear. Well then, let"s begin with this.” He picked up a book in which he"d written in both English letters and Japanese script. He moved closer so that she could see.

  “This is the first word you were awake enough to hear.” He smiled. “Taberu. You remember?” Katharine nodded. He was close enough for her to catch the musky scent of his cologne but she could see no pomander at his waist, as there would be at home.

  “Taberu, to eat. Tabemasu, eat. Tabete imasu, eating. Tabemashita, eaten. Now, repeat with me.” When they"d said the phrases together, he smiled. “Excellent. Now in the negative— Tabemasen, don"t eat. Tabete imasen, not eating. Tabemasen deshita, didnot eat.” They repeated these together and Fujito smiled, pleased that his estimation of her being a quick scholar had been correct. Then he wrote the words in script and told her it was called hiragana and the English letters Romanji. “But we will learn written later. For right now speaking thelanguage is more important.”

  She nodded her understanding.

  “ I understand, is wakarimasu.” He smiled.

  “Wakarimasu.” She repeated.

  “I don"t understand—wakarimasen.”

  “Wakarimasen.”

  When the lesson was over, he invited her to walk in the garden. He kept his pace slow for her benefit and for this, she was grateful.

  “Do you have gardens in England, Katsuko?” He asked suddenly.

  “Yes. Many, but none as beautiful as this.” She said sincerely. “Our gardens are mainly huge parks where wild animals live Many noblemen keep them only for hunting.

  It is at times like that when I thank God that I was not born a man. I could never hunt something as exquisite as a deer.”

  “They are beautiful creatures, are they not?” Fujito asked smiling. “We have deer here, too. They live high in the Alps.”

  “Where are they from here?” Katharine asked. Geography had been her favorite subject in the schoolroom.

  “Many miles. Do you remember I told you that Kagoshima was on an island?” Katharine nodded.

  “Well, Japan actually has four big islands. The mountains are in the center of the big central island called Honshu. They are covered with snow most of the year and that iswhere most of our wildlife is located.” Noticing her frown he smiled and stopped. “Here. Let me see if I can make you understand.” Stooping he found two small rocks, a large, long flat one and a medium sized one.

  “This is Hokkaido. The northernmost island. It is where the Ainu live.” “Ainu?”

  “Yes. Our, er, native people.”

  Katharine searched for a point of comparison. “Like the Celts? They were the people who settled my mother"s country of Wales.”

  “ Yes.” He smiled then continued. “This is Honshu.” He placed the long flat rock. “The big island with the Alps.”

  “That"s right.” His smile reached his eyes, and stayed there.

  “This is our island. Can you remember its name?”

  “Keyushu?”

  “Almost.” try again.”

  “Kyushu.” She repeated.

  “That"s right. And this is Shikoku. It"s the smallest island and the most mountainous. It has the least number of inhabitants. Now I"ll be the student and you theteacher. Show me your land.”

  “Um.” She said as she began to look around for rocks. Not finding anything suitable she was almost at a loss to explain when she noticed a bare patch of sand near thewater"s edge.

  “I know.” She headed toward it, so involved in her lesson plan she forgot she was the one who was the stranger.

  Fujito followed her, not minding at all. In fact, he was as eager to learn as she was to teach.

  When he reached her, she was looking for something. “What are you looking for?”

  “Something to write in the sand with.”

  “Here. Try this.” He handed her the brush he"d been using in the lesson. “Use the handle end.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Arigato O Gozaimasu.” He repeated it in Japanese.

  “Wakarimasu Fujito Sama.” She smiled.

  He laughed. “Good girl.” He said approvingly.

  When she would have tried to stoop, he stopped her.

  “Why don"t you sit on that rock?” He indicated one nearby. “Here, let me help you.” He took her hand and helped her to sit. Again, she was struck by his strength. Sitting beside her on the sand, he gave her lesson his full attention. “This is England.” She drew in the sand.

  “England.” He repeated, not quite getting the „r". Seeing her uncertainty of answer, he laughed. “Near enough?” He asked hesitantly.

  “Yes.” She tried to act the serious teacher but a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth none-theless. “This is Scotland.” She added to the top of England. Thereare fierce men there, with big clubs and axes. They"d kill you in a trice.” “As you thought I"d do to you once?” His eyes were laughing.

  “Could you blame me?” She knew he was teasing her.

  “I suppose I couldn"t.” He smiled. “Go on.”

  “This is Wales.” She added another piece on. “This is where my mother comes from. They go deep underground to coal mines and they have the most beautiful voicesyou"ve ever heard.” She said wistfully.

  “You"ve been there?” He surmised.

  “Yes. Many times.”

  “Where is your father from?”

  “There is an island, here.” She made another mark in the sand. “He was born there but his family was in the employ of the King and he moved to England to serve him. Mymother was in the service of the Queen.”

  “And that"s how they met?”

  “Yes.”

  “Come, let"s walk again.” He stood and reached out a hand to her. “What flowers do you have in Wales?” He asked.

  “Daffodils and bluebells, buttercups and daisies. We mainly have trees and mosses all over the country. Apple orchards, and cherry too.”

  “Cherry?” He asked.

  She nodded

  “Come.”

  They crossed the bridge and he led her up a small hill. Just over the rise was a grove of trees, with the most beautiful cherry blossoms she"d ever seen. The look of pleasure in her eyes made him happy. Perhaps he could find more simple enjoyments to take her mind off her home. Maybe there would be more similarities; perhaps they could find a common interest. He had heard someone say that having something in common with someone else took the burden of loneliness away. Hehoped he could dispel Katharine"s, even just a little.

  “Did you plant those yourself?” She asked now.

  “No.” He smiled. “My father started most of them as saplings before I was born. My grandfather planted those over there.” He pointed to the left. “And the rest were herebefore him.”

  “Well,” she sighed. “They are beautiful anyway.”

  “Thank you.” He smiled. “I hope they remind you of home but also make you feel at home here as well.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled shyly.

  He was feeling more lighthearted than he had in months, maybe years. They walked back along the water"s edge.

  “Do you know what my brother and I used to do as children?”

  “You have a brother?” Katharine asked, shaking her head.

  “Had, it is a long story. I"ll tell you one day. We used to skip stones across this lake.”

  “Would you like to skip stones, Sire?” He had given her pleasurable memories by showing
her the cherry trees. Now, inexplicably, she wanted to return the favor. “Yes. Shall we?” He smiled, bad times forgotten.

  He removed his long sleeved coat. Picking up a stone he handed it to her and found another for himself. They threw them in together.

  “I beat you” He laughed. “Try again.”

  So intent was the game and the joy they were feeling they didn"t hear the servant come up behind. He hid himself behind a large tree and watched them, scowling. Sheshould not be here. He thought. And he should be treating her more as he should be treating a prisoner than an equal companion. He did not like it, not at all. The Samurai"s lady

  Chapter Two

  Fujito was impressed with the speed with which she grasped the language and culture he was teaching her.

  Despite Ryochi"s secrecy, he had seen him that day by the water and had been more careful in his show of delight with Katharine. And while he was still friendly, he had tamed his exuberance so as not to alert his servants that she was becoming anything more than a virtual prisoner.

  Over the weeks, her palette had become used to the bland food and her body to the hard pillow and low bed. She was even finding the language easier to master. Indeed, she had over estimated its difficulty; it was, in fact, easier to learn than Welsh had been.

  She was the only one in the villa one evening when Fujito entered.

  The sight of her leaning over her study book almost took his breath away. Her hair had been swept up on top of her head and tied in place with a thin band of Obi cloth. A comb with hanging colored stones had been placed just over her left ear.

  “Utukushi. Beautiful.” He sighed.

  “Fujito Sama!” She stood up startled as the copybook was sent sliding across the tatami.

  He walked over, picked it up and handed it to her. Their eyes met across it. Something flickered in his eyes but was gone before she could decide what it was. She saw his features soften into a smile.

  It was a fewminutes before he found his voice. “You are beautiful.” He said softly, not trusting his voice to hold steady at a louder volume.