Читать книгу The Sins of Nightsong - V. J. Banis - Страница 8

CHAPTER THREE

The following morning Adam’s temperature felt still higher. She went to find the doctor and found Eddie instead at the bottom of the stairs leading to the doctor’s quarters.

“Doctor Lemming had to go out on an emergency,” Eddie told her. “Are you feeling unwell, April?”

“It’s Adam. He’s feverish, I’m afraid. It may be nothing, but I want to be on the safe side.”

“I understand.” He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. “There’s a Chinese chap who arrived here in the compound late yesterday. He lists himself as a doctor on his travel papers. Shall I find him and send him up to your rooms?”

“I’d very much appreciate it, Eddie. Thank you.”

The Chinese man who entered her rooms a while later was stocky and short, dressed in western clothes. His black hair was slicked back and he wore a wide, flat moustache. He seemed to have no neck; his round, Oriental face rested heavily on a high celluloid collar and string tie. He was carrying a small black satchel.

He bowed low. “I am Sun Yat-sen. Your child is not well, I am told,” he said in almost flawless English.

“He appears to be running a temperature,” April answered in Chinese.

The man bowed again. “With your permission, Princess, I would prefer if we spoke in English. I want to perfect my knowledge of the language as much as I can before I arrive on those shores.”

April stared at him. Her mind had stopped on the word Princess. “You know me?” she asked.

“Permit me, Princess,” Sun Yat-sen said, ignoring her for a moment. He laid his hand on Adam’s forehead. “I know your father, Prince Ke Loo.” He took a thermometer from his case and put it under Adam’s tongue, muttering childlike instructions and at the same time checking the boy’s pulse.

April frowned as she watched him. It seemed incongruous that this very Western-type Oriental would be acquainted with her father. “You lived in Kalgan then, I assume?”

“No, Princess. I was born of humble parents in the Chungshan district of Kwangtung province. I met your father through mutual...shall we say, friends?”

“Has my father been ill?” April persisted, trying to make a connection between these two men of unequal stations.

Sun Yat-sen shook his head slowly. “I do not practice medicine anymore. I was coming to visit you, Princess, when I met up with Mr. Wells and he expressed his concern for your son’s fever.”

He felt the glands at the sides of Adam’s neck and nodded approvingly. “Your father told me of your beauty. He is a man who is sometimes prone to exaggeration; I am glad in this instance he spoke truthfully.”

April returned his bow. “Then I presume you have come with a message from my father?” She suddenly felt wary.

He nodded and took the thermometer from Adam’s mouth, holding it up to the light from the window. “The boy is running a slight temperature, but not one of any significance. Some aspirin powder should bring it to normal.”

“Thank you, I feel much relieved.” She reached for her money purse.

Sun Yat-sen held up both hands and gave her what she construed to be an angry look, though he was smiling. He replaced the thermometer in the case.

An uneasiness gripped her, a sense of apprehension, as if the man had come bearing terrible news. She lifted Adam and carried him to the deep chair near the window. “You said you have a message for me from my father?”

He came closer and leaned toward her. In a low, conspiratorial voice he said, “Your father is in great danger, Princess. The Empress suspects Prince Ke Loo is plotting to overthrow the throne. She intends making you a hostage in the summer palace. Ke Loo requests that you come to him in Kalgan where he can keep you safe from the dragon’s claws.”

April watched him with suspicion. “I have no intention of being made a prisoner in either palace, doctor.” She did not trust this man. It was highly possible that he was but another agent of the Empress’s who’d come to trick her.

“The Empress, as you know, is having you closely watched.”

“I am only too well aware of that,” April said. She thought for a moment. “You know then that my efforts to leave here have thus far been unsuccessful. If the Americans can’t get me safely past the Empress’s soldiers and spies, how do you propose to manage it?”

He smiled a secret, sly smile. “They are Americans. I am an Oriental and know secrets.”

She definitely did not trust him. “I am going to America,” she said firmly.

He only smiled and bowed. “I, too, go to America, but unlike you, Princess, the Empress has no plans to prevent my leaving. If she knew my mission she would most assuredly make certain I never left China.”

“Mission?”

His eyes narrowed as he smiled his enigmatic smile. “Your father’s ambitions are not far from my own. We have that in common.”

April looked surprised. “You are helping my father to unseat the Empress?”

He nodded gravely. “I go first to Hawaii to begin organizing sympathizers to our movement and to seek financial assistance. I plan on touring the United States, Europe, Japan—anywhere where I can find an ear and a pocketbook that shows interest in a better China.”

She wondered that such a common man could really be a trusted representative of Prince Ke Loo’s. Her father was of too high a noble station to put himself in league with so ordinary a fellow. Furthermore, there was something in the way he looked at her that told her he did not approve of her any more than she approved of him. She’d seen that haughty look of contempt before on men who’d made the mistake of showing their displeasure toward their betters.

“I again ask you to reconsider your leaving China, Princess,” he said. “Go to your father in Kalgan. Everything can be safely arranged for you.”

“No, that I will not do.”

His face darkened. “I can only remind you that it would be most unfortunate if you fell into the hands of the Empress.”

“I am already a prisoner here and would be in no better circumstances with either my father or the Empress. I have every intention of reaching Shanghai harbor and boarding a ship bound for America.”

“Your father will be most disappointed in your decision to leave.”

She wanted suddenly to be alone with her thoughts, and the way Sun Yat-sen was watching her annoyed her. Again she reached for her money purse and handed him two yuan. “I insist you take this for your trouble, Dr. Sun.”

She dropped the money into his palm, ignoring the disdainful look he gave her. “Thank you for coming, Doctor. Now, please excuse me.” She turned, picked up Adam again, who had been playing quietly with a set of wooden animals, and walked into the alcove. She did not turn until she heard the door close behind the doctor.

She let out the breath she’d been holding. A minute later there was a tap on the door. Certain the doctor had come back, she went to the door and yanked it open, still holding Adam tight in her arms.

Eddie Wells’ eyebrows went up. “You look mad enough to bite a snake. Is anything the matter, honey?”

She let her shoulders sag. “I’m sorry, Eddie. Come in. I thought the doctor had come back.”

“He angered you, obviously.” He glanced at Adam. “The boy’s all right, isn’t he?”

“Perfectly all right. It’s just that the man upset me.” She told him of the message from her father.

“You won’t have to bother much about him after this afternoon. He’s arranged for bearers to take him to Tsingtao. From there he takes a packet across the Yellow Sea to Korea and, according to his declared itinerary, he expects to cross into Japan.”

“He told me he is going to Hawaii. From the route you describe he is in a rather large hurry to leave China. I suspected him of being a spy for the Empress; obviously, I was wrong. He seems too anxious to leave here.”

“Well, as long as little Adam is hale and hearty that’s all that matters. I think my plan for getting us to Shanghai with the Marine contingent is going to work.”

“I hope so, Eddie,” she said without much enthusiasm. There had been too many disappointments for her to become overly optimistic about another prospect.

“Trust me,” he said gaily. “Now.” He tilted her face up to his. “How would you like to go to a party tonight?”

Her heart leapt. “A party?” Her eyes went bright with excitement. “Where?”

“The British Ministry. Claude MacDonald has finally asked to be sent home. The gang decided on the spur of the moment to give him and his Lady a proper send off. It’s been rather hastily thrown together, but I was expressly asked to bring you.”

April had always liked the old Scotsman who headed the British legation, though almost fifteen years ago when she’d first laid eyes on Claude MacDonald she’d been frightened of his fierce moustache and flint-gray eyes.

“I’d love it,” she gushed. She looked at little Adam. “But perhaps I shouldn’t. Adam’s fever may get worse.”

“I’ll have the housekeeper sit with him. And we’ll be just across the compound if anything should happen.”

April hesitated. “Yes, I suppose he’ll be all right and it has been oh-so-long since I’ve been to a proper party.”

“Wear something that will knock their eyes out. I want every woman there to be pea-green with envy.”

April cocked an eye. “I needn’t remind you that those ladies do not approve of your attentions to me. I am not deaf to gossip, you know.”

“Who cares? They object because there isn’t a one of them who wouldn’t pay the devil for your youth and beauty.”

“But not for my Chinese blood,” she chided.

“Even that, if they came out looking like you.” He grew serious. “You’re the most exquisite creature I have ever seen, April. Are you certain you won’t change your mind and come with me all the way to Washington?”

“We’ve spoken of this before, Eddie.” She put Adam aside. “We would both be in each other’s way once we got to America.”

“I know,” he admitted good-naturedly, “but I’d love to put my old dad in a tizzy by bringing you home with me.”

April laughed. “You’d give him a heart attack.”

Eddie shrugged.

“You’re horrible.” She patted his chest. “Now get out of here. If you want me to be ravishing, I will have to sort through my wardrobe for just the right dress. And for a woman, that may take the remainder of the day.”

She chose the yellow silk with the elaborately embroidered chrysanthemums that cascaded from her shoulder to the hem of the train. She braided the strands of pearls into her shimmering black hair, and was not displeased with her efforts when she looked at her reflection in the full-length glass.

“Fantastic,” Eddie gushed when she came down the stairs. He offered her his arm and leaned close. “Maybe we should have the party in my room,” he said with a wicked wink.

“If you behave yourself, that might be agreeable but not until later. I’m in the mood for laughing and dancing.”

They started toward the British legation, ignoring the coolness of the night. They didn’t have far to go to reach it, a rambling building set in seven acres and housing the chancery as well. The legation district as a whole was a world within a world, which never failed to impress April, though she longed to be away from it. There was a large orange moon, white rimmed; April pulled her silk shawl about her shoulders and snuggled against Eddie.

“I know we are something of a scandal here,” she said as they walked along.

“The sad part of it all is that they will have nothing to gossip about once you and I are out of here next week.”

“You think our chances of escape are that good this time?”

“Good? They are better than they ever were. I’ve started thinking the way these slanty-eyed devils—” He glanced at her and stammered, remembering she herself was Oriental. “—These Chinese think,” he said catching his slip. “We’ll not be detected by the Empress’s men this time.”

“When do we leave?”

“Tuesday next.”

They entered the grounds of the British legation where a cluster of dancers on the tennis court danced to the music of a Chinese band playing western tunes. Paper lanterns swayed unevenly in the tree branches, champagne corks popped, glasses clinked. Everyone was smiling, talking, laughing.

Eddie escorted April up the steps and across the wide Victorian veranda. Sir Claude MacDonald, the British minister, greeted them warmly and even embraced April, causing several of the ladies to frown in disapproval.

“April, my dear girl. I’m so pleased you could come on such short notice. Of course,” he added with a laugh, “I’m surprised anyone of us came on such short notice. The boys did a bang-up job, don’t you think?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. Sir Claude never waited for anyone. “You look enchanting; positively enchanting,” he said, offering his arm. “Come along and let me get you some refreshments. Mr. Wells can well look after himself.”

The crowd in the room parted, making an aisle for them. April saw the depreciative looks that she preferred to interpret as envy. She held herself aloof, unbending, reminding them all that she was of royal blood.

“I remember the first time I saw you, my girl, dressed like some ragged peasant.”

“A disguise,” April was quick to remind him.

“An American chap, I believe it was, who rescued you and your mother from an opium den or some such place. Wasn’t that it?”

“We were hiding from the Empress.” She looked up at him. “I always seem to be hiding from Her Imperial Highness.”

“Your mother?” Sir Claude asked. “She’s well?”

“We have both been rather remiss about corresponding. Last I heard she was in excellent health and her enterprises were thriving.”

“As beautiful as ever, I suspect. Beauty like hers and yours, my dear, always withstands the ravages of time.” He handed her a cup of punch. “A perfume factory, isn’t that your mother’s occupation now?”

“Empress Cosmetics, Products Fit for Royalty,” April proclaimed grandly, then laughed. “She has made a handsome fortune from what she refers to as her misadventures in China.”

Sir Claude rubbed the line of his jaw. “Yes, there was a bit of gossip about the bad blood between her and the old Dragon Empress.”

“Mother builds dynasties on bad blood,” April said, her voice bitter and hard. She saw him look surprised at her caustic remark and smiled sweetly. “I’d like for you to ask me to dance, if that is permitted.”

The old man laughed. “Like you, my dear, I was never very fond of conventions. Just like our Scottish lassies, you’ve got grit and spunk. I like that in a lass.” He took the punch cup from her hand. “If you are in a mood to dance with an old codger like me, then dance we shall, my girl.”

Eddie strolled through the crowd, watching them move off. Again an aisle opened up for him, as if the others feared contamination from this brash American who obviously preferred Chinese women to decent Occidentals like himself.

“Ah, Edward,” one of his friends from the American legation said, slapping Eddie on the back. “You’ve got more guts than I’ll ever have.” He moved his eyes toward April, dancing now with Sir Claude. “Look at the other men lifting up their noses and all the time we both know they’d give their eyeballs to bed her. What does that delicate little blossom see in the likes of you?”

Eddie grinned. “Because we are both delicate little blossoms from the same tree, Phillip.” He lifted his cup. “You just never took the time to learn what a sweet, innocent fellow I really am.”

His friend rolled his eyes. They both started to laugh.