Free And the Bride Wore Red by Lucy Gordon

the old woman waving and smiling at the camera.
    â€˜So, what are you going to do with your holidays?’ she asked. ‘Did you book that cruise?’
    â€˜Yes, I’ll be off in a few days.’
    â€˜And?’ Norah probed, for Olivia’s tone clearly hinted at something else.
    â€˜I’ve met this madman…’
    She tried to describe Lang. It wasn’t easy, for he seemed to elude her even as she spoke. Calling him a madman was the truth, but far from the whole truth, and she was still discovering the rest.
    â€˜He can make me laugh,’ she said.
    â€˜That’s always a good beginning.’
    â€˜And he gave me this.’ She held up Ming Zhi. ‘When we went to the zoo.’
    â€˜Now, that looks like getting serious. When are you seeing him again?’
    â€˜This evening. He’s taking me to have dinner with his family.’
    â€˜Already? My dear, he’s moving very fast.’
    â€˜No, it’s not like that. One of his relatives saw us together and the family got curious. He’s only taking me home to shut them up.’
    â€˜Is he a wimp, that he can’t stand up to them?’
    â€˜No, he’s not a wimp,’ Olivia said, smiling and remembering how Lang gave the impression of being quietly in command, except when he was being jokingly deferential to make her laugh. ‘He pretends to be sometimes, but that’s just his way of catching me off-guard.’
    â€˜And does he often succeed?’
    â€˜Yes,’ Olivia admitted wryly. ‘He does.’
    â€˜Then he must be a very clever man indeed. I look forward to meeting him.’
    â€˜Norah, please! You’re going much too fast. Lang and I have only met a few times. I’m not looking for anything serious. We’ll enjoy a brief relationship and then I’ll come home. In fact—’
    â€˜Don’t you dare start that again. You stay where you are, and live your life. Don’t throw it away.’
    â€˜All right, I promise,’ Olivia said. She was slightly startled by Norah’s intensity; a kind of anguish almost seemed to possess her.
    â€˜You spend as much time with Lang as you can. He sounds nice. Is he good-looking?’
    â€˜Yes, he’s good-looking?’
    â€˜ Really good-looking?’
    â€˜Well…’
    â€˜On a scale of one to ten?’
    â€˜Seven. Oh, all right—eight.’
    â€˜Jolly good,’ Norah said robustly. ‘Now, go and buy a really nice, new dress. Splash out, do you hear?’
    â€˜Yes, Aunt,’ Olivia said meekly, and they laughed together.
    After a hasty breakfast she headed out to the shops, meaning to choose something from the Western fashions that were now available in Beijing. But before long her eye fell on a cheongsam , the traditional Chinese dress that was so flattering to a woman with a good figure. The neckline came modestly up to the throat, and there was a high-standing collar, but it was also figure-hugging, outlining her tiny waist, flared hips and delicately rounded breasts in a way that left no doubt that her shape was perfect.
    It was heavily embroidered and made of the highest-quality silk, at a price that made her hesitate for half a second. But when she tried it on and saw what it did for her she knew she was lost. When she combined it with the finest heels she dared to wear, the effect was stunning.
    She wondered if Lang would think so. Would he compliment her on her appearance?
    Â 
    He did not. Calling for her punctually at six, he handed her into the car without a word. But she’d seen the way his eyes had lingered on the swell of her breasts, so perfectly emphasised by the clinging material, and she knew he had remembered their first meeting. His expression told her all she wanted to know.
    She settled down to enjoy herself. They were headed for the hutongs ; she’d always been fascinated by these streets that had surrounded the Forbidden City for hundreds