She grimaced, her ideas–and her time–running out. “What is the punishment for wearing cosmetics?”
He sighed. “You have already seen the punishment. The eunuchs are not kind when they bathe you. And they will be especially cruel where you are most dirty.”
She winced. “Why do you allow such men here?”
He folded his arms. “I do not allow anything. In fact, I have counseled Yi Zhen against it, but we always meet with the same answer.”
“What is that?”
“That eunuchs have been a way of life in the Forbidden City long before the Manchu came into power, and they willcontinue long after we are gone.”
She looked away, cursing herself for her vanity this morning and wondering if she had thrown away her chances with that one simple act. “I meant no harm. It is just a sweetening cream.” Then she swallowed and forced herself to beg. “Help me please. What should I do?”
He waited while she twisted her fingers together in anxiety. His look was pensive, but his eyes seemed to burn. “There is a way, you know, to drown out the scent of your...your fruit and herbs. A way that the doctor will never notice and will boast your attractiveness as an imperial consort.”
She bit her lower lip, barely daring to hope. Could he truly wish to help her? Of course not, and yet what choice did she have? “More creams?” she asked.
He smiled, and she was momentarily struck silent by the beauty in his face. Normally he scowled at the women who plagued him, but for this moment, he looked different. Not gentle so much as less fierce. More...seductive. And again, she was startled by how appealing that made him.
“I will not surrender my virginity!” she stated fiercely. “I will fight you if you try!”
“Of that I have no doubt,” he said dryly. “No, I refer to the stages before surrender.”
She frowned, extraordinarily suspicious but also a little intrigued. Though her mother had explained lust in great detail, most especially what it could drive a man to do, she had never spoken about the steps of love or of the act itself. “What stages?”
“You wish to know?” he asked.
“I wish to become an Empress,” she snapped.
“Then allow me to touch you and your fertility will never be in question.”
“No touching!” she cried as she backed away.
“I cannot do it any other way,” he responded. “You needonly unbutton your blouse. I will touch your breasts.”
She shook her head, her heart beating so loud it seemed to echo in her mind.
“You will show me your breasts anyway as part of the examination.”
“But I will lose my virginity!”
He stared hard at her. “Do you truly not know how it is done?”
She flushed so hot her ears burned. “I have seen dogs. I...I know the essence, but a touch one place will lead to more. And you are stronger than I.”
“Then take this.” He handed her his empty plate. “If I touch more than you wish, then you may break it on my head. Do it hard enough and I will not be touching anything again for a very long time.”
She hesitated a moment, then grabbed the plate from him. Whatever she decided, she would feel better with a weapon in her hand.
“Decide quickly. The doctor will be returning soon.”
That brought a return of her fears and a swift decision. With a deep breath, she began unbuttoning the clasps at her neck and then down along her side. All too soon, her blouse was pushed away, the silk dropping uselessly to the floor. Below it, her diamond shaped undergarment of soft cotton was already stained from perspiration. The ties pulled at her neck and back, but in front, all remained covered by the too-thin fabric.
“Take it all off,” he said, his voice low and thick.
She lifted her chin and stared at him. She had to do this, she reminded herself. And truthfully, a kind of madness had gripped her. She wanted to do this. She wanted to see his face when her flesh was bared to his eyes. So while one hand still gripped the plate, the other resolutely untied her undergarment. And inside, her blood seemed to beat faster, wilder, with adaring she found as exciting as the man who stood before her.
“Not flat plates, after all,” he murmured. His face was no longer pinched, but his eyes still held that intensity she both feared and enjoyed. “Your breasts are bells arching outward.” He spoke as if to himself while one hand lifted to touch her. “They say that women with bells mature young and have very high desires.” His hand stopped, and his gaze leaped to hers. “I am going touch you now. Do not be afraid.”
