jamesclavell.noblehouse-第128章

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re　spotless。　〃Quillan　was　a　stickler　for　tidiness；　thank　God　it　rubbed　off　on　me。　My　amah；　Ah　Fat；　she　drives　me　insane。〃
　〃Does　she　live　here？〃
　〃Oh　yes；　yes　of　course；　but　she's　shopping　now　…　her　room's　at　the　end　of　the　corridor。　Look　around　if　you　like。　I　won't　be　a　minute。〃
　Filled　with　curiosity　he　wandered　off。　A　good　dining　room　with　a　round　table　to　seat　eight。　Her　bedroom　was　white　and　pink；　light　and　airy　with　soft　pink　drapes　hung　from　the　ceiling　that　fell　around　the　huge　bed　making　it　into　a　vast　four…poster。　There　were　flowers　in　a　delicate　arrangement。　A　modern　bathroom；　tiled　and　perfect；　with　matching　towels。　A　second　bedroom　with　books　and　phone　and　hi…fi　and　smaller　bed；　again　everything　neat　and　tasteful。
　Casey's　outclassed；　he　told　himself；　remembering　the　easy；　careless　untidiness　of　her　little　house　in　the　Los　Angeles　canyon；　red　brick；　piles　of　books　everywhere；　barbecue；　phones；　duplicators　and　electric　typewriters。　Troubled　at　his　thought　and　the　way　he　automatically　seemed　to　be　paring　them；　he　strolled　back　to　the　kitchen；　bypassing　the　amah's　room；　his　walk　soundless。　Orlanda　was　concentrating　on　the　coffee　maker；　unaware　that　now　he　was　watching　her。　He　enjoyed　watching　her。
　This　morning　he　had　phoned　her　early；　very　concerned；　waking　her；　wanting　to　remind　her　to　see　a　doctor；　just　in　case。　In　the　melee　last　night；　by　the　time　he　and　Casey　and　Dunross　had　got　ashore　she　had　already　gone　home。
　〃Oh；　thank　you；　Linc；　how　thoughtful　of　you　to　phone！　No；　I'm　fine；〃　she　had　said　in　a　happy　rush。　〃At　least　I　am　now。　Are　you　all　right？　Is　Casey　all　right？　Oh　I　can't　thank　you　enough；　I　was　petrified　。。。　You　saved　my　life；　you　and　Casey　。。。〃
　They　had　chatted　happily　on　the　phone　and　she　had　promised　to　see　her　doctor　anyway；　and　then　he　had　asked　if　she'd　like　breakfast。　At　once　she　had　said　yes　and　he　had　gone　Hong　Kong　side；　enjoying　the　downpour；　the　temperature　nice。　Breakfast　atop　the　Mandarin；　eggs　Benedict　and　toast　and　coffee；　feeling　grand；　Orlanda　sparkling　and　so　appreciative　of　him　and　of　Casey。
　〃I　thought　I　was　dead。　I　knew　I'd　drown；　Linc；　but　I　was　too　frightened　to　scream。　If　you　hadn't　done　it　all　so　quickly　I'd　never　。。。　The　moment　I　was　under；　dear　Casey　was　there　and　I　was　alive　again　and　safe　before　I　knew　it。　。。。〃
　It　was　the　best　breakfast　he　had　ever　had。　She　had　ministered　to　him；　small　things；　passing　him　toast　and　pouring　coffee　without　having　to　ask　for　it；　picking　up　his　serviette　when　it　fell；　entertaining　and　being　entertained；　assured　and　feminine；　making　him　feel　masculine　and　strong。　And　she　reached　out　once　and　put　her　hand　on　his　arm；　long　fingers　and　exquisite　nails；　and　the　feel　of　that　touch　still　lingered。　Then　he　had　escorted　her　home　and　inveigled　an　invitation　up　to　her　apartment　and　now　he　was　here；　watching　her　concentrate　in　the　kitchen；　silk　skirt　and　Russian…style　rain　boots；　loose　blouse　that　was　tight　to　her　tiny　waist；　letting　his　eyes　flow　over　her。
　Jesus；　he　thought；　I'd　better　be　careful。
　〃Oh；　I　didn't　see　you；　Linc。　You　walk　quietly　for　a　man　of　your　height！〃
　〃Sorry。〃
　〃Don't　be　sorry；　Linc！〃　The　steam　hissed　to　a　crescendo。　Jet　droplets　began　to　fill　the　cups。　〃A　twist　of　lemon？〃
　〃Thanks。　You？〃
　〃No。　I　prefer　cappuccino。〃　She　heated　the　milk；　the　sound　fine　and　the　smell　of　the　coffee　grand；　then　carried　the　tray　to　the　breakfast　area。　Silver　spoons　and　good　porcelain；　both　of　them　aware　of　the　currents　in　the　room　but　pretending　there　were　none。
　Bartlett　sipped　his　coffee。　〃It's　wonderful；　Orlanda！　The　best　I've　ever　had。　But　it's　different。〃
　〃It's　the　dash　of　chocolate。〃
　〃You　like　cooking？〃
　〃Oh　yes！　Very　much。　Quillan　said　I　was　a　good　pupil。　I　love　keeping　house　and　organizing　parties；　and　Quillan　always　。。。〃A　small　frown　was　on　her　face　now。　She　looked　at　him　directly。　〃I　seem　to　be　always　mentioning　him。　Sorry　but　it's　still　。。。　it's　still　automatic。　He　was　the　first　man　in　my　life　…　the　only　man　…　so　he's　a　part　of　me　that's　indelible。〃
　〃You　don't　have　to　explain；　Orlanda；　I　und…　〃
　〃I　know；　but　I'd　like　to。　I've　no　real　friends；　I've　never　talked　about　him　to　anyone；　never　wanted　to；　but　somehow　。。。　somehow　well；　I　like　being　with　you　and　。。。〃　A　sudden；　vast　smile　went　across　her。　〃Of　course！　I'd　forgotten！　Now　I'm　your　responsibility！〃　She　laughed　and　clapped　her　tiny　hands。
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　〃According　to　Chinese　custom　you've　interfered　with　joss　or　fate。　Oh　yes。　You　interfered　with　the　gods。　You　saved　my　life　because　without　you　I'd　surely　have　died　…　probably　would　have　died　…　but　that　would　have　been　up　to　the　gods。　But　because　you　interfered　you　took　over　their　responsibility；　so　now　you　have　to　look　after　me　forever！　That's　good　wise　Chinese　custom！〃　Her　eyes　were　dancing　and　he　had　never　seen　whites　as　white　or　dark　brown　pupils　so　limpid；　or　a　face　so　pleasing。　〃Forever！〃
　〃You're　on！〃　He　laughed　with　her；　the　strength　of　her　joy　surrounding　him。
　〃Oh　good！〃　she　said；　then　became　a　little　serious　and　touched　him　on　the　arm。　〃1　was　only　joking；　Linc。　You're　so　gallant　…　I'm　not　used　to　such　gallantry。　I　formally　release　you　…　my　Chinese　half　releases　you。〃
　〃Perhaps　I　don't　want　to　be　released。〃　At　once　he　saw　her　eyes　widen。　His　chest　was　feeling　tight；　his　heart　quickening。　Her　perfume　tantalized　him。　Abruptly　the　force　between　them　surged。　His　hand　reached　out　and　touched　her　hair；　so　silky　and　fine　and　sensuous。　First　touch。　Caressing　her。　A　little　shiver　and　then　they　were　kissing。　He　felt　her　lips　soft　and；　in　a　moment；　weling；　just　a　little　moist；　without　lipstick；　the　taste　so　clean　and　good。
　Their　passion　grew。　His　hand　moved　to　her　breast　and　the　heat　came　through　the　silk。　Again　she　shivered　and　weakly　tried　to　back　off　but　he　held　her　firmly；　his　heart　racing；　fondling　her；　then　her　hands　went　to　his　chest　and　stayed　a　while；　touching　him；　then　pressed　against　him　and　she　broke　the　kiss　but　stayed　close；　gathering　her　breath；　her　heart　racing；　as　intoxicated　as　he　was。
　〃Linc　。。。　you　。。。〃
　〃You　feel　so　good；〃　he　said　softly；　holding　her　close。　He　bent　to　kiss　her　again　but　she　avoided　his　kiss。
　〃Wait；　Linc。　First　。。。〃
　He　kissed　her　neck　and　tried　again；　sensing　her　want。
　〃Linc；　wait　。。。　first　。。。〃
　〃First　kiss；　then　wait！〃
　She　laughed。　The　tension　broke。　He　cursed　himself　for　making　the　mistake；　his　desire　strong；　whipped　by　hers。　Now　the　moment　had　passed　and　they　were　fencing　again。　His　anger　began　to　flood　but　before　it　possessed　him　she　reached　up　and　kissed　him　perfectly。　At　once　his　anger　vanished。　Only　warmth　remained。
　〃You're　too　strong　for　me；　Linc；〃　she　said；　her　voice　throaty；　arms　around　his　neck　but　cautiously。　〃Too　strong　and　too　attractive　and　too　nice　and　truly；　truly　I　do　owe　you　a　life。〃　Her　hand　caressed　his　neck　and　he　felt　it　in　his　loins　as　she　looked　up　at　him；　all　her　defenses　settled；　strong　yet　inviolate。　Perhaps；　he　thought。
　〃First　talk；〃　she　said；　moving　away；　〃then　perhaps　we　will　kiss　again。〃
　〃Good。〃　At　once　he　went　to　her　but；　both　of　them　in　good　humor　now；　she　put　her　finger　on　his　lips；　preventing　him。
　〃Mr。　Bartlett！　Are　all　Americans　like　you？〃
　〃No；〃　he　said　immediately　but　she　would　not　take　the　bait。　〃Yes；　I　know。〃　Her　voice　was　serious。　〃I　know。　That's　what　I　wanted　to　talk　to　you　about。　Coffee？〃
　〃Sure；〃　he　said；　waiting；　wondering　how　to　proceed；　gauging　her；　wanting　her；　not　sure　of　this　jungle；　fascinated　by　it　and　by　her。
　Carefully　she　poured　the　coffee。　It　tasted　as　good　as　the　first。　He　was　in　control　though　the　ache　remained。　〃Let's　go　into　the　living　room；〃　she　said。　〃I'll　bring　your　cup。〃　He　got　up　and　kept　a　hand　around　her　waist。　She　did　not　object　and　he　felt　that　she　liked　his　touch　too。　He　sat　in　one　of　the　deep　armchairs。　〃Sit　here；〃　he　said；　patting　the　arm。　〃Please。〃
　〃Later。　First　I　want　to　talk。〃　She　smiled　a　little　shyly　and　sat　on　the　sofa　opposite。　It　was　dark　blue　velvet　and　matched　the　Chinese　rug　on　shiny　parquet　floors。　〃Linc；　I've　only　known　you　a　few　days　and　I　。。。　I'm　not　a　good…time　girl。〃　Orlanda　reddened　as　she　said　it　and　carried　on　a　rush　over　what　he　was　going　to　say。　〃Sorry　but　I'm　not。　Quillan　was　the　first　and　only　one　and　I　don't　want　an　affair。　I　don't　want　a　frantic　or　friendly　tumble　and　a　shy　or　aching　good…bye。　I've　learned　to　live　without　love；　I　just　cannot　go　through　that　all　again。　I　did　love　Quillan；　I　don't　now。　I　was　seventeen　when　we　。。。　when　we　began　and　now　I'm　twenty…five。　We've　been　apart　for　almost　three　years。　Everything's　been　finished　for　three　years　and　I　don't　love　him　anymore。　I　don't　love　anyone　and　I'm　sorry；　I'm　sorry　but　I'm　not　a　good…time　girl。〃
　〃I　never　thought　you　were；〃　he　said　and　knew　in　his　heart　it　was　a　lie　and　cursed　his　luck。　〃Hell；　what　do　you　think　I　am？〃
　〃I　think　you're　a　fine　man；〃　she　said　at　once；　sincerely；　〃but　in　Asia　a　girl；　any　girl；　finds　out　very　quickly　that　men　want　to　pillow　and　that's　really　all　they　want。　Sorry；　Linc；　casual　pillowing's　not　my　thing。　Perhaps　it　will　be　one　day　but　not　now。　Yes　I'm　Eurasian　but　I'm　not　。。。　you　know　what　I'm　saying？〃
　〃Sure；〃　he　said　and　added　before　he　could　stop　himself；　〃you're　saying　you're　off　limits。〃
　Her　smile　vanished　and　she　stared　at　him。　His　heart　twisted　at　her　sadness。　〃Yes；〃　she　said；　slowly　getting　up；　near　tears。　〃Yes；　I　suppose　I　am。〃
　〃Jesus；　Orlanda。〃　He　went　over　to　her　and　held　her。　〃I　didn't　mean　it　that　way。　I　didn't　mean　it　rotten。〃
　〃Linc；　I'm　not　trying　to　tease　or　play　games　or　be　diffic…　〃
　〃I　understand。　Hell；　I'm　not　a　child　and　I'm　not　pushing　or　。。。　I'm　not　either。〃
　〃Oh；　oh　I'm　so　glad。　For　a　moment　。。。〃　She　looked　up　and　her　innocence　melted　him。　〃You're　not　mad　at　me；　Linc？　I　mean　I　。。。　I　didn't　ask　you　up；　you　really　insisted　on　ing。〃
　〃I　know；〃　he　said；　holding　her　in　his　arms；　and　he　was　thinking；　It's　the　truth；　and　also　the　truth　that　I　want　you　now　and　I　don't　know　what　you　are；　who　you　are　but　I　want　you。　But　what　do　I　want　from　you？　What　do　I　really　want？　Do　I　want　magic？　Or　just　a　lay？　Are　you　the　magic　I've　been　seeking　forever　or　just　another　broad？　How　do　you　stack　against　Casey？　Do　I　measure　loyalty　against　the　silk　of　your　skin？　Remember　how　Casey　said　once；　〃Love　consists　of　many　things；　Linc；　only　one　part　of　love's　sex。　Only　one。　Think　of　all　the　other　parts。　Judge　a　woman　by　her　love；　yes；　but　understand　what　a　woman　is。〃　But　her　warmth　was　going　through　him；　her　face　against　his　chest　and　once　more　he　felt　himself　stirring。　He　kissed　her　neck；　not　wanting　to　withhold　his　passion。
　〃What　are　you；　Orlanda？〃
　〃I'm　。。。　I　can　only　tell　you　what　I'm　not；〃　she　said　in　her　tiny　voice。　〃I'm　not　a　tease。　I　don't　want　you　to　think　that　I'm　trying　to　tease　you。　I　like　you；　like　you　very　much　but　I'm　not　a　。。。　I'm　not　a　one…night　stand。〃
　〃I　know。　Jesus；　what　put　that　into　your　head？〃　He　saw　her　eyes　were　glistening。　〃No　need　for　tears。　None。　Okay？〃
　〃Yes。〃　She　moved　away　and　opened　her　purse　and　took　out　a　tissue　and　used　it。　〃Ayeeyah；　I'm　acting　like　a　teen…ager　or　a　vestal　virgin。　Sorry；　but　it　was　rather　sudden　and　I　wasn't　prepared　for　。。。　I　felt　myself　going。〃　She　took　a　deep　breath。　〃Abject　apologies。〃
　He　laughed。　〃Refused。〃
　〃Thank　God！〃　She　watched　him。　〃Actually；　Linc；　I　can　usuall