She dropped her hands from him, shaking her head in dismay. “We learn from other countries.”
“No, we don’t. We take their product, but we don’t learn. We buy their silk but can’t make it for ourselves. Not as well.”
“We will.”
“Yes, we will. Because learning from other people makes us stronger. Because breeding with other humans covers our weaknesses.”
“Max, we are not dogs!”
“We’re not perfect either!” He looked around, seeing people he had known all his life. Every one had weaknesses, every one could benefit from a larger understanding of the world around them.
Kimberly’s gaze became frantic. “Max, this is who we are. It’s what it means to be English.”
“Weaker. Stupider.” He thought of the king, the product of generations who married their own cousins. “Blind.”
She threw up her hands. “We should all be mutts then?”
“I don’t know about you, Kimberly,” he returned, “but I want my children to be strong. I want them to have the best of two worlds.”
“You can’t be serious.”
He grinned, his resolve growing. All his life, he had been told that England was the best. They were the smartest and the most resilient people in the world. And as a future duke, he was the greatest of the great.
Now he saw the arrogance in that statement. Other countries had gifts, other people had strengths. And if England failed to understand the value of other countries, then it was headed toward the downfall of every overly confident fool. And if he didn’t value other cultures, other skills, then he was in danger of losing the best thing that had ever happened to him.
The love of his life.
“Thank you, Kimberly. You are indeed the best of England, but I already have that.” He laughed. “I am that. Now I want the best of China.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Yihui could barelyfunction, but the duchess had made sure she didn’t need to. While the woman had taken the ducal jewelry off Yihui, she’d whispered, “The carriage is out front. Go quickly. Do not stop for any reason.”
She hadn’t. She knew that if she looked at Max again, she would change her mind. She would stop the palanquin and beg for a place—any place—in Max’s life. She still might do it. After all, a mistress could have a good life, assuming Max would ignore his wedding vows.
That was a big assumption.
Yihui had spent a great deal of time learning about English wedding customs. She knew that Christian husbands promised to love, honor, and cherish their wives. They considered it dishonorable to have congress with women outside of the marriage bed, but few in the aristocracy kept such promises.
Unfortunately, Max was a man of honor. He wouldn’t break his wedding vows, and she didn’t think she could share him with another woman.
Which meant that this was the end, and no amount of begging would change it. She held back her tears through force of will. She would not cry in front of these people. She would not cry in front of anyone. She would focus on her work and on creating medicine for the king.
As soon as the palanquin cleared the palace doors, she saw the carriage set there to whisk her away. She told it to go directlyto the duke’s stables. Blue was there, and she knew Max would not begrudge her use of the pony.
Especially given what she had to do.
It was difficult to maneuver on her heels as she transferred from litter to carriage, but she managed it. And then, once inside the dark vehicle, she allowed the tears to fall.
She allowed herself to double over with pain, to clutch her sides and moan, to weep as if her life were over. How could turning away from a man be so much more devastating than leaving her entire country?
They arrived at the ducal stable too soon. She felt the carriage jerk to a stop and rushed to clean her face. Thank goodness it was dark. They need not see her red eyes or the dark kohl smeared down her cheeks.
Thankfully, one of the footmen was kind. He helped her wobble into the stable and he even saddled Blue for her. With his help, she mounted the pony, and she tried not to compare his hands to Max’s sure grip. Someday, she promised herself, some other man would feel as safe, as smart, and as wonderful as Max.
Or she would be exactly as she had declared—alone for the rest of her days with only her work to comfort her.
With that thought fixed in mind, she guided Blue out of the stable. She headed home as fast as she was able. She did her best to ignore the stares of people on the street. In truth, most were already used to the sight of her on Blue. She made it home, instructed Druina on what was to be made for the queen, then grabbed a collection jar. The ducal stables were too clean for what she needed. She headed to the public stables and the dark, moldy corners there.
