Free And the Bride Wore Red by Lucy Gordon Page B

century! Women don’t fall for that kind of clap-trap any more.’
    â€˜Well, I wouldn’t actually say any of that out loud,’ she said, laughing.
    â€˜But you might think it silently, and that would be much worse. I’m wary of your unspoken thoughts.’
    â€˜But if they’re unspoken you can’t possibly know what they are,’ she pointed out.
    â€˜You’re wrong. I’m starting to understand the way you think.’
    â€˜That’s an alarming prospect!’ she observed.
    â€˜For which of us, I wonder?’
    â€˜For me,’ she said without hesitation.
    â€˜Are you more alarmed at the thought of my getting it right, or getting it wrong?’
    She considered this seriously. ‘Right, I think. I don’t mind you getting it wrong. I can always tread on your toes.’
    â€˜Good thinking.’
    â€˜But what woman wants to be understood too well by a man?’ she mused.
    â€˜Most women complain that men don’t understand them.’
    â€˜Then they’re being foolish,’ she said with a little smile. ‘They should bless their luck.’
    They both laughed and the moment passed, but she was left with the sense that beneath the banter they had really been talking about something else entirely. It was a feeling that often assailed her in Lang’s company.
    They continued the journey in companionable silence, until at last he said, ‘Before we get there I’d better warn you of just how enthusiastically Wei has prepared them for you. I’ve explained that we barely know each other, and he mustn’t run ahead, but he—Well…’
    â€˜Didn’t take any notice?’ Olivia finished sympathetically.
    â€˜And how!’
    â€˜All right, I’m prepared.’
    â€˜Grandfather Tao and Grandmother Shu have learned a few words in English, in your honour. The rest of the family speaks English, but those two are so old that they’ve lived a different kind of life. They’ve been practising all day to offer you this courtesy.’
    â€˜How kind.’ She was touched. ‘I know I’m going to love your family.’
    At last she found herself in streets that she recognised.
    â€˜Weren’t we here the other night?’
    â€˜Yes, that restaurant is just around the corner. Just a couple more streets, and here we are. Home.’
    The car drew up before the north house of the siheyuan , and Olivia drew an astonished breath as she saw what looked like the entire family gathered to meet her. They spilled out of the doorway into the street.
    In the centre stood an old man and woman: Grandfather Tao and Grandmother Shu. On either side of them were two middle-aged men—the uncles, their wives and children. Everyone was watching the car’s arrival with delight, and two of the younger children dashed forward to open the door and provide Olivia with a guard of honour.
    â€˜My goodness!’ she exclaimed.
    Lang took her hand. ‘Don’t worry,’ he whispered. ‘I’m here, Dragon Lady.’
    He slipped his arm protectively around her as they neared the family and it divided into two groups, with the oldest, Grandfather Tao and Grandmother Shu, at the centre. He took her to them first.
    â€˜Our family is honoured to meet you,’ Tao said, speaking in careful, perfect English, and his wife inclined her head, smiling in agreement.
    â€˜It is I who am honoured,’ Olivia said.
    Tao repeated his compliment. The words and manner wereformal but his and Shu’s expressions were warm, and their eyes followed her when she moved on.
    Strictly speaking they were the host and hostess, but because of their age and frailty they performed only the most formal duties, delegating anything more energetic to the younger ones.
    Although brothers, Hai and Jing were totally unalike. Jing was a great, good-natured bull of a man, tall, broad and muscular. Beside him Hai was like a