It wasn’t really a question. Even in her flustered state, her initial reaction was to resist his edict; she’d never taken orders well. Yet his command pumped her heart, warmth rushing beneath her skin, the tips of her breasts prickling against her corset. Uncertain how to answer, she wetted her lips and saw his gaze track the path of her tongue.
“Are you all right, Glory?”
Aunt Hypatia had turned around, regarding her with a frown.
Mr. Chen released her instantly and took a step back.
“I just, um, tripped, and Master Chen caught me,” Glory extemporized.
“Thank you for looking after my niece, sir,” Aunt Patty said. “And for the edifying visit.”
“It was my honor, ma’am.” Mr. Chen bowed, his reserve back in place. “And Lady Glory, I hope you also learned something of value today.”
Glory heard his unspoken message. Heed me and stop your investigation.
Now that she’d regained her equilibrium, her reply came naturally.
“According to Confucius, the essence of having knowledge is to apply it.” She performed a smart curtsy. “Good day, Master Chen. Your Grace.”
She followed Aunt Patty to their waiting carriage; at the last moment, she couldn’t resist glancing back. Master Chen was watching her, a banked fire in his eyes. With a shiver, she wondered what lay behind his wall of control.
Seven
As he stumbled through the smoky corridor of the flower boat, one of Canton’s infamous floating brothels, Wei’s gut churned. Not because of the boat’s bobbing—working as a pirate had earned him his sea legs—but because of self-disgust. Because he couldn’t escape the dirty and immoral part of his nature. Memories clawed at him; at least the potent rice wine he’d downed dulled the pain.
The shame and self-loathing, however, remained.
Drinking, fighting, fucking, his inner voice sneered. That is all you’re good for, you worthless scoundrel. Two years since your family was murdered, and what do you have to show for it?
Nothing but failure.
Feeling the familiar surge of frustration and rage, he shut out his thoughts. The corridor was lined with curtained doorways, and he chose one at random. So long as the room offered oblivion, he didn’t care what was inside. He staggered through the red silk panels into the dim chamber.
A naked prostitute sat playing a lute. Her gaze beckoned him as her rouged lips moved in a mournful song. A barbed wire tightened around Wei’s heart, for in the muted glow of the silk lanterns, the whore could be Chun’s twin. She appeared young and fresh, her scant tits topped by coy buds and her skin smooth as porcelain. Catching Wei’s gaze, she widened her narrow thighs, displaying her dark thatch. The feigned desire in her doe-like eyes made his insides roil.
I am sorry about your family, Wei, but I cannot run away with you. Chun’s reproachful voice played in his head. How would we live…how could you support me? You ask too much.
Wei clenched his hands, trying to shut out the past.
The madam glided into the room, her smile as painted on as her eyebrows.
“More baijiu, sir?” she offered.
Grabbing a cup from her tray, he tossed back a shot of the strong alcohol, followed by another. He swiped his sleeve over his mouth and caught the disdain in the bawd’s gaze. He felt grim satisfaction in knowing that his vulgarity offended her. He was no longer recognizable as Captain Chen’s clean-cut son. Two years of making his living as a ruffian had hardened him. If the job paid well and in silver, he’d taken it. He needed money to fund his vengeance…although he had little to show for his efforts.
“Perhaps, sir, you would care to partake of my flower boat’s other diversions?”
The madam’s question came at the right time, stalling his emotional spiral.
“What do you have to offer? I want something”—he flicked a glance at the lute-playing whore, whose pout was so like Chun’s that he felt a surge of nausea—“less contrived.”
“Of course. Please follow me.”
The madam led the way back into the passageway, taking him to an entrance at the far end. This one was barricaded by a door.
“Welcome to the Chamber of a Thousand Delights, sir. A place we reserve for our most exclusive and generous clientele. Here, you are guaranteed to find whatever your heart desires.”
My heart has nothing to do with this.
