She pointed to it and asked, “How much?”
The proprietor was outraged. She didn’t understand all his words, but his meaning was clear. This was his livelihood, and he would not give such important knowledge into the hands of…
Whatever he said was insulting. She could tell from the tightening of Max’s jaw and the flash of fury in his eyes. As ifknowledge should be hoarded to the few who could profit from it. Medicine was for all, or so her grandmother had taught her.
Yihui held up her hand in a placating gesture. She would learn if he were a true healer by his response to her next words.
“I will trade what I know from China for the knowledge of England.”
As expected, the man blustered with arrogance. She had expected no less. But she was watching the old woman in black clothes huddled near the fire. That woman looked up with interest and indeed, she reminded Yihui of her grandmother. Immediately her heart softened to the woman. It was to her she addressed her next words.
“When I am free, I will come back,” she said. “We will teach one another.”
The woman nodded but the man huffed.
“As if I have anything to learn from a Chinese woman.”
She ignored him, already seeing in him all the faults of her father. For Max’s benefit, she swept a hand over the large pile of supplies.
“I do not know what this should cost in England.”
“What quality is it?”
“Medium. I believe the grandmother has skill.”
“Then he shall get a medium payment.”
While Yihui supervised the packaging of her supplies, she watched in awe as Max pulled out coins and set them on the counter. The amount looked hefty to Yihui, but she had little understanding of English money. She did see the proprietor’s eyes light with greed, though he was in a precarious position. He could not barter with a man of Max’s status. He could also not allow anyone to think his wares were anything less than perfect.
That left him both protesting and obsequious at the same time. It was tedious, which was why Max didn’t engage. He ignored the coins the moment they left his hands, helped withcollecting the wrapped packages, and then gathered Blue’s reins as they departed.
She was very impressed.
Max used simple expedience without pompous display.
She sighed. She didn’t need more reasons to be attracted to him.
They spoke little as they returned, being interrupted every few feet. She was introduced to a dozen people who all merged into a formless mass in her mind. Max was cordial to them but moved on as soon as possible.
When they finally returned to the house, she discovered he’d had a table in the library set for her use. Apparently, he meant to watch everything she did.
“This is not the best place to mix teas,” she told him.
“I’m aware, but it is where you will work for now. I cannot crowd into the kitchen with you, upsetting all the servants there. At least here, I can listen and learn.”
He was serious. He meant to attempt an education.
“Very well,” she said. “First I will prepare your mother’s tea.”
She began to speak about a body’s winds, about chi energy, and where the channels flowed. It was the most basic instructions she had given to her brothers, day after day. But her English words were not adequate, and he had no understanding of life force. It should have been a frustrating, miserable experience.
And yet, somehow, it was not.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Max had neverseen Yihui so happy. He’d thought her a fiercely aloof beauty before. An exotic princess who could turn into an avenging angel. Never had he seen her nearly giddy with delight.
She whistled while she sorted through the herbs. Not a jaunty tune, as Max sometimes did when he was bored. Neither was it tuneless. Her sounds were commentary on what she inspected, punctuation as she approved or disapproved of her supplies.
