James Clavell - Gai-Jin

"Paris? Why Paris?"

She explained about "Ward of the State." "He says in Paris with Ward of France as a fact we will win, the marriage will be declared legal according to French law, and then I can settle at my whim, not hers."

"Has he mentioned fees, Angelique?"

She flushed. "That has nothing to do with his advice."

"Nonsense," he said harshly. "Our only safety is to face the truth and understand the games being played. That little bastard, 'scuse me, but I use the term advisedly, he is by the way, I found that out in Hong Kong, that little bastard is only thinking of his future, not yours, imagining himself in various courts defending this poor but beautiful French widow, swaying various juries --and losing everything for you."

"I don't see... Why?"

"Malcolm has no estate."

"But... but Mr. Skye says according to French law th--"

"Wake up, Angelique!" His voice was even harsher. It was vital to get her out of this stupid, useless rage.

The moment he had come into her boudoir and had seen her tight-lipped, seething, a letter shaking in her hand, he had realized that this was the letter Hoag had told him about, that therefore there was no child and now Plan A could be hurtled into place. His joy had crested.

Pretending to know nothing, he had begun cheery greetings but these were spurned, the letter shoved at him, her fury making her even more attractive-- the passion good for both of them, he had thought contentedly. But now it must be channeled and refined, like his. "Skye's full of wind! Wake up!"

"I am awake, he is not, and don't think for a mom--"

"Stop it! Use your head for God's sake!

It's you who's at risk, not him!" For an instant he wondered again what Tess's second letter, the other letter contained that, now, no one would ever know--Hoag had said part of the agreement with Tess was that, prior to delivering this one, he would burn the other unopened. Would Hoag really do that, or would he have read it before burning it though he had sworn a holy oath to abide exactly with her wishes?

Wish I knew, but then that's only icing on the cake.

"Angelique, dear Angelique..." He tossed the letter on the table as though it were dirty, believing it to be wonderful, got up and sat beside her and took her hand. "Paris and French law and all the rest are only for Skye's benefit, not yours. Even if he won, I'd wager ten thousand to one against, their ruling will have no bearing on Tess Struan and Hong Kong...

Listen to me," he said louder as she started to override him. "We've not much time and you have to be sensible. While you borrow or pauper yourself or sell yourself to pay his costs, let alone the fees he needs, you'll lose this one chance. He hasn't got but a few dollars. How's he going to get to Hong Kong, let alone Paris or London? That's a pipe dream." Sullenly she pulled her hand away. He laughed. "You're like a spoiled brat and I love you for it."

"You..." She stopped. "You do?"

"Love you or think you're a spoiled brat?"

With a different voice she said, "Both."

"Both," he said in a different voice and took her hand again and grinned when she tried to pull it away. This time he did not allow it. With equal, gentle firmness he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. Her fight was immediate, soon to lessen, soon to enjoy. Both of them.

When he released her he ducked at once, correctly anticipating her nails which slashed at him. "Whoa, there," he said as though to a spirited horse, delighted he had the measure of her.

"Whoa there, Nelly!"

She laughed in spite of her anger. "You're a devil."

"Yes, but I'll make a fine husband.

Ma'am."

Her smile faded. The anger vanished. She got up and went to the window and stared out at the bay and the ships there. Lots of activity around the warships. He watched and waited, hoping that he had judged correctly. When she was ready, she said, "You say compromise, Edward. How?"

"I'd take the next, fastest boat to Hong Kong," he said. "I'll see her at once and make changes you and I agree on--and I think are possible. I'm sure I can up the stipend.

Five instead of two or three thousand would be acceptable, yes?"

"She says those disgusting terms won't be changed."

"I will change them, some of them."

"Which?"

"We can discuss those today and tomorrow. I'm confident about the money."

"Mon Dieu, the money's not everything, and why so quickly? There's till the 14th of next month."

"I must be first with the news, to catch her off balance. That makes my bargaining position better. For you," he added.

She turned and looked at him. "Also for you too."

"Also for me," he said, these twists and turns and risks and gambles, a wrong word fatal, more thrilling than the best poker game he had ever been in, the stakes the highest. Her. Her and his future indivisible. And she holds most of the aces, he told himself, though she doesn't know it: her immediate agreement to Tess's demands, at his persuasion, would make Tess more keen than ever to be his ally, so vital to his future; her five thousand guineas would help to cement Rothwell-Gornt; and her venom would ensure Tess's end.

"I love you and want to marry you," he said.

"Please."

"It's much too soon to answer that."

"I don't agree, you're footloose and fancy free."

"Because I'm not married and never was?" she snapped.

"Calm down, honey, think calmly! We're adults, I have a right to ask, to say I love you and to want to marry you."

She dropped her gaze and conceded, needing him, he alone could shield her from Tess. "Sorry, yes, sorry, the... the letter unsettled me.

But, it's too soon to answer you, really."

"I don't agree. I believe you love me, the promise could be private, not to be advertised, between us. I love you, we would make a grand team," he said, meaning it, "the future's vast for us once this..." he motioned at the letter, "once this no longer threatens you. We've much in common and a common goal, to destroy your enemy and mine, at leisure."

"I don't love you, I like you, immensely, perhaps I could, perhaps I would love you in time and I would try if... if I was to marry you, no, don't move, let me finish." Her fingers were toying with a pearl buckle that she had bought in the village and that reminded her as MacStruan would not honor her remaining chits it was, apart from her engagement ring and the jade ring, the only jewelry she still possessed. And Andr`e would be around this afternoon again. She put that worry away for later and concentrated. Curious that Edward should have the same idea that I have. We think alike in many ways. "For the moment let me answer that later. When's the next ship for Hong Kong?"

"The best and fastest would be tomorrow night.

Cooper-Tillman's Atlanta Belle, direct Hong Kong then San Francisco," he said at once, arrivals and departures in the forefront of every trader's mind. "She'll be in Hong Kong before our clipper, Night Witch --she's not due here for three days."

"You'd want to be on her, the Atlanta Belle?"

"Yes."

"Then, Edward, let's discuss what you think can be bettered with that woman in the morning, that gives me time to think. If we agree, then please go quickly to Hong Kong... and hurry back, quickly."

"Good. But your answer to my proposal?"

"I will give you that when you return."

"I must have it before I leave."

"Why?"

"For my pleasure," he said.

She saw the same strange smile and wondered what was behind it. "Why? Seriously?"

He got up and stood over her. "Because it's vital to me. If you'll marry me the sky's the limit, you'll adore Shanghai, it's the greatest city in Asia, makes Hong Kong like a backwater, you'll be the toast of the town and live happily ever after. I promise. Now, please promise."