Free The Samurai's Wife by Laura Joh Rowland Page B

relationship? That was Yanagisawa's prerogative.
     
     
"Would you?" Yanagisawa said sharply. "And what do you expect in return? Wealth? Property? A position on my staff?"
     
     
Though he guessed that Hoshina wanted all those things, the yoriki spread his hands and said nonchalantly, "Just a chance to prove I'm worthy to serve you." Then he leaned forward, staring at Yanagisawa with unmistakable intent. "And the honor of your company."
     
     
In the past, Yanagisawa had shunned ambitious lovers who sought to use him for personal gain, but Hoshina's bold proposition tempted him strongly. He rose, stepped down from the dais, and stood over Hoshina.
     
     
The yoriki, still kneeling, gazed up at him, muscles tense, eyes feverish with need and ambition.
     
     
"I'll see you tomorrow," Yanagisawa said abruptly, then strode toward the door without a backward glance. But he felt Hoshina's gaze on him, and the ache of frustrated desire. Despite the fear of treachery, he looked forward to their next meeting.
     
     
5
     
     
Above the Imperial Palace rose a sky of pale, bleached blue; glaring white sunlight bathed the crowds that thronged Teramachi Avenue. A small procession drew up to the palace gate reserved for bakufu officials. At the front rode Sano and Yoriki Hoshina. Behind them marched a few guards; then came Reiko in her palanquin.
     
     
Earlier, when Hoshina had arrived at Nijo Manor to escort him to the palace, Sano had said, "My wife is coming along to call upon the emperor's mother and consort."
     
     
To his relief, Hoshina had accepted without question this explanation for Reiko's presence. Hoshina merely said, "I'll send a messenger ahead to tell the imperial women to expect a guest."
     
     
Now Sano and Hoshina dismounted; palace sentries opened the gate. Inside the walls, the procession divided as Sano and Hoshina headed toward the imperial enclosure for an audience with the emperor, while a courtier led Reiko's palanquin down another passage. The odors of sewage, charcoal smoke, and tropical flowers saturated the air in the passageways of the kuge district like warm, fetid breath; stormclouds layered the hills visible beyond the city. But in spite of the hot weather, Sano felt refreshed and energetic. A good night's sleep had renewed his confidence. Surely, his investigation would be successful, and he'd made the right decision by agreeing that Reiko should assist him.
     
     
In the southern sector of the imperial enclosure stood the Purple Dragon Hall, site of important court events. The austere half-timbered building faced a courtyard bounded with covered corridors supported by vermilion posts. The ground was covered with white sand to reflect the light of the sun and moon onto the hall. A cherry tree and a citrus tree flanked the entrance, representing the guardian archers and horsemen of ancient tradition. Leading up to the door, eighteen steps, framed by red balustrades, symbolized the number of noble ranks in the court hierarchy. Sano and Hoshina approached the bottom of the steps, where a line of courtiers waited. One, a man in his sixties with short, sleek gray hair, stepped forward and bowed.
     
     
"Greetings, Sosakan-sama," he said in a strong, resonant voice. He wore a black cap with a vertical flap at the back, a moss green silk court robe, and baggy white trousers. Deep lines creased his forehead and bracketed his mouth, giving character to a long, elegant face. He had shrewd, intelligent eyes, and teeth dyed black in the ancient court style. "It is a singular honor to receive such a great personage as yourself."
     
     
Yoriki Hoshina introduced the courtier to Sano. "Allow me to present the honorable Right Minister Ichijo."
     
     
"Many thanks for consenting to act as intermediary in my dealings with the Imperial Court," Sano said, although the right minister had no choice but to serve his needs. Ichijo's aura of refinement commanded respect and disconcerted Sano. From studying history,