Free The Scarlet Kimono (Choc Lit) by Christina Courtenay Page A

motionless on the dais. His let his eyes wander, taking in the beautiful gold-leaf screens, painted with a variety of fierce animals, that covered the walls. His gaze continued to the ornately painted ceiling and intricately carved roof beams. None of this opulence had any effect on him. He’d seen it all before and although he normally took pride in his exquisite surroundings, today he felt only emptiness inside.
    What’s wrong with me , he wondered, sinking down onto the soft silk cushion once more and leaning his chin on one hand. He should be happy and fulfilled, now that he had everything a man could possibly want – land, power, wealth, a lovely wife and, through his marriage, alliances with other powerful samurai families. But there was still something missing.
    He knew it all boiled down to Hasuko’s continued refusal to let him into her thoughts. She was very clever, he had to admit, doing everything that was expected of her without protest and usually with alacrity. But something about the way she looked at him wasn’t right. She made him feel insignificant. As if he were in the presence of a queen and not worthy of the honour she bestowed on him. He didn’t like it. He had never felt inferior to anyone in his life, not even to the Shogun . No, he didn’t like it one little bit, but there seemed to be nothing he could do about it.
    He didn’t know why it should matter. She was just a woman, one among many. There were others who could please him whenever he wished – like his sister-in-law for example, who persisted with her suggestive glances – but they meant nothing. Hasuko was his wife. She owed him deference, and although outwardly she gave it willingly, he was certain that this was just an act. He clenched his fists, but tried not to give in to the anger that simmered inside him.
    Yanagihara came slowly into the room, the only person in the castle who would have dared to intrude on the lord’s solitude. He walked with the aid of a beautifully carved cane. Taro noticed the old man’s back curved forward as if his head was becoming too heavy for the rest of his body. The deeply set eyes, however, were as alert as always, the gaze intelligent and sharp.
    ‘My lord?’ Yanagihara said and bowed as far as his old back permitted.
    Taro forced his mind into the present and stifled a sigh. ‘Yanagihara- san . What can I do for you?’
    The old man’s face crinkled into a tiny smile. ‘Nothing, my lord. I came because you have need of me. Your spirit is restless, neh ?’
    ‘How did you …?’ Taro caught himself in time. He should know better than to ask such a stupid question. The old man had probably had a vision. ‘Yes,’ he said instead. ‘Can you help me?’
    The old man answered with a question of his own. ‘Have you been dreaming lately?’
    ‘Dreaming? Well, actually, yes. Last night I dreamt of a kami who wouldn’t leave me alone. She tore at me, trying to pull me down into … oh, I can’t remember. A void perhaps.’
    ‘She? The spirit was a female?’
    ‘Yes, most definitely. Her shape was clearly defined although she was surrounded by tongues of fire.’
    ‘Ah, I thought so.’
    Yanagihara remained silent for so long, Taro wanted to shout out loud, but a samurai had to remain calm at all times, so he waited patiently. At length he was rewarded.
    ‘I have the answer, my lord.’ Yanagihara nodded, as if satisfied with himself. ‘It is the foreign woman. She must be coming closer and her influence is beginning to take hold.’
    ‘Foreign woman?’ Taro had expected his dream to have something to do with Hasuko and had forgotten all about the gai-jin . ‘Oh, you mean the one you had a vision about a while back?’
    ‘Indeed, my lord. She will affect your life, I’m sure of it. I have seen her myself recently. That was partly what brought me here today.’
    ‘And what was she doing, when you saw her?’
    ‘Still standing on the ship, but laughing this time, not looking at me.