She pulled herself higher on his body and pressed her face into his neck. She felt the strength in his arms as he carried her, and the caution in his step as he maneuvered blindfolded to the bath. Thankfully, there was a maid there to direct him and help her. Still, she felt like a precious vase in his arms where any misstep would shatter her into a thousand pieces. And yet he held her securely.
Once at the bath, she was reluctant to let him go, but so very grateful to sink into the water. It had been months since she could wash from head to toe, and the luxury of it left her speechless with gratitude.
The tub was sized for a large man which allowed her to stretch out her legs. Any other time she would wiggle her toes as she luxuriated in the water, but she knew better than to test her broken feet. Instead, she inhaled the scent of the water—Max’s scent—as he backed away. A maid hastily moved the screen toblock his view of her, but it did not stop her from looking at the details of his bedroom.
It was not very masculine in décor. The wallpaper was soft blue, and matching pillows were set in two wood chairs by the fire. The rug was thick enough that she could see the wet imprint of his two feet and a pair of slippers that had been discarded near a wardrobe. But what struck her was that everywhere she looked had something with words upon it. Several newspapers were scattered about, all turned to different pages. She saw sheets with neat rows and books bound in leather.
Someone had tried to neaten the piles, but just as clearly, someone else—Max—had been careless with where he set them. That spoke to her of untold wealth. So many books littered the room as if they were the easiest thing to come by. And even more startling, papers with scribbles on them, notes and thoughts, perhaps.
Max was a man of learning, and she could not help but stare in frustration. It was all in English. She could learn so much about what he wanted if only she could understand what he read. Meanwhile, Max seemed loath to leave her alone. Rather than depart, it sounded like he dropped onto his bed and wanted to chat.
“I’m very impressed by your command of English. How did you learn it?”
Was this usual? To talk to a woman as she bathed? She looked at the maid who was there to help her. The woman didn’t appear upset by Max’s presence.
“Oh, um, do you mind if we chat?” he asked, as if sensing her awkwardness. “I thought we could get to know one another better.”
“I am happy to speak,” she said. It wasn’t a lie. Awkward as this might be, she wanted to know more about him. “Canton isa city of many languages. I learned as much as I could. It was a way to help my father.”
“He was a doctor?”
“He made medicines in tea. Customers explained their pain. He made the right tea.”
“An apothecary then.”
She didn’t know this word, so she repeated it as a way to learn. “Apothecary.”
“Yes. Someone who makes medicines. So you learned English from your customers.”
“My father did not have many English customers, but he always wanted to expand. So I learned as much as I could. I thought I would be a help to him always, even after I married.” She’d never guessed that her ability to speak some English would be the reason the Wong patriarch wanted her. “I learned the most English on the boat.”
“Did you speak to the crew? The sailors?”
“The other girl became sick with a fever. I spoke with the surgeon. I told him the medicine to give us.” As she spoke, she grabbed hold of the soap. It would not be prudent to linger in the water just because he remained nearby chatting with her. She lathered the soap between her hands, smiling as she inhaled his orange flower and rosemary scent. Then she was handed a washcloth and began to clean herself.
“There were other girls?” he asked.
“One other. Also a bribe.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died,” she said. Then because she did not want to remember, she flattened herself in the tub, pulling her head under water. She scrubbed her scalp and ignored everything for as long as she could hold her breath. Or almost that long because she wanted to talk with him some more.
She pushed herself upright, her thoughts on him. And because of her inattention, she accidentally banged her foot. The sharp stab of pain made her cry out.Idiot!She clenched her knee tight to her chest, letting her foot dangle free as it throbbed. She shut her eyes and her mouth, and in so doing, she trapped the anguish inside her chest. But he must have heard her. He must have known because a moment later, she could hear his sharp demand.
“What happened? Are you hurt?”
Her feet were broken. Of course, she was hurt.
“I was clumsy,” she said. And she’d been thinking about him.
“You need help. Should I call someone? Who is there with you?”
“I am well,” Yihui said, but her words were covered by the maid.
“It’s Millie, my lord. I…um…she looks well enough.”
“She doesn’t sound well, Millie,” he snapped. “You are there to help her. Do I need to find someone more capable?”
