jamesclavell.noblehouse-第160章

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about　us　here。　I'd　love　to　be　your　guide。　Now　that　you're　staying　you　should　know　everything；　Linc；　experience　everything。　Oh　no；　they　think　themselves　lucky。　At　least　for　a　short　time　in　their　lives　they　live　well　and　eat　well　and　laugh　a　lot。〃
　〃No　tears？〃
　〃Always　tears。　But　tears　is　a　way　of　life　for　a　girl。〃
　〃Not　for　you。〃
　She　sighed　and　put　her　hand　on　his　arm。　〃I've　had　my　share。　But　you　make　me　forget　all　the　tears　I've　ever　had。〃　A　sudden　burst　of　laughter　made　them　look　up。　The　four　Japanese　businessmen　were　hunched　down　with　six　girls；　their　table　loaded　with　drinks　and　more　arriving。　〃I'm　so　happy　I　don't　have　to　。。。　have　to　serve　the　Japanese；〃　she　said　simply；　〃I　bless　my　joss　for　that。　But　they　are　the　biggest　spenders；　Linc；　much　more　than　any　other　tourists。　They　spend　even　more　than　the　Shanghainese；　so　they　get　the　best　service　even　though　they're　hated　and　they　know　they're　hated。　They　don't　seem　to　care　that　their　spending　buys　them　nothing　except　falsehoods。　Perhaps　they　know　it；　they're　clever；　very　clever。　Certainly　they　have　a　different　attitude　to　pillowing　and　to　Ladies　of　the　Night；　different　from　other　people。〃　Another　burst　of　laughter　〃Chinese　call　them　lang　syin　gou　fei　in　Mandarin；　literally　'wolf's　heart；　dog's　lungs；'　meaning　men　without　conscience。〃
　He　frowned。　〃That　doesn't　make　sense。〃
　〃Oh　but　it　does！　You　see　Chinese　cook　and　eat　every　part　of　fish；　fowl　or　animal　except　for　a　wolf's　heart　and　a　dog's　lungs。　They're　the　only　two　things　that　you　cannot　flavor　…　they　always　stink　whatever　you　do　to　them。〃　She　looked　back　at　the　other　table。　〃To　Chinese；　Japanese　men're　lang　syin　gou　fei。　So　is　money。　Money　has　no　conscience　either。〃　She　smiled　a　strange　smile　and　sipped　her　liqueur。　〃Nowadays　many　mama…sans　or　owners　will　advance　money　to　a　girl　to　help　her　learn　Japanese。　To　entertain；　of　course　you　have　to　municate；　no？〃
　Another　bevy　of　girls　went　past　and　she　saw　them　look　at　Bartlett　and　then　at　her　speculatively　and　look　away　again。　Orlanda　knew　they　despised　her　because　she　was　Eurasian　and　with　a　quai　loh　customer。　They　joined　another　table。　The　club　was　filling　up。
　〃Which　one　do　you　want？〃　she　asked。
　〃What？〃
　She　laughed　at　his　shock。　〃Oh　e　now；　Linc　Bartlett；　I　saw　your　wandering　eye。　Is　…　〃
　〃Stop　it；　Orlanda！〃　he　said　unfortably；　a　sudden　edge　to　his　voice。　〃In　this　place　it's　impossible　not　to　notice。〃
　〃Of　course；　that's　why　I　suggested　it；〃　she　said　immediately；　forcing　her　smile　steady；　her　reactions　very　fast　and　again　she　touched　him；　her　hand　tender　on　his　knee。　〃I　picked　this　place　for　you　so　you　could　feast　your　eyes。〃　She　snapped　her　fingers。　Instantly　the　ma？tre　d'　was　there；　kneeling　politely　beside　their　low　table。　〃Give　me　your　card；〃　she　said　imperiously　in　Shanghainese；　almost　sick　with　an　apprehension　that　she　hid　perfectly。
　At　once　the　man　produced　what　looked　like　a　playbill。　〃Leave　me　your　flashlight。　I'll　call　you　when　I　need　you。〃
　The　man　went　away。　Like　a　conspirator　she　moved　closer。　Now　their　legs　were　touching。　Linc　put　his　arm　around　her。　She　directed　the　pencil　light　at　the　playbill。　There　were　photographs；　portraits　of　twenty　or　thirty　girls。　Underneath　each　were　rows　of　Chinese　characters。　〃Not　all　these　girls　will　be　here　tonight；　but　if　you　see　one　you　like　we'll　bring　her　over。〃
　He　stared　at　her。　〃Are　you　serious？〃
　〃Very　serious；　Linc。　You　don't　have　to　worry；　I'll　negotiate　for　you；　if　you　like　her；　after　you've　met　her　and　talked　to　her。〃
　〃I　don't　want　one　of　these；　I　want　you。〃
　〃Yes。　Yes　I　know；　my　darling；　and　。。。　but　for　tonight；　bear　with　me；　please。　Play　a　little　game；　let　me　design　your　night。〃
　〃Jesus；　you're　something　else！〃
　〃And　you're　the　most　marvelous　man　I've　ever　known　and　I　want　to　make　your　night　perfect。　I　can't　give　you　me　now；　much　as　I　want　to；　so　we'll　find　a　temporary　substitute。　What　do　you　say？〃
　Bartlett　was　still　staring　at　her。　He　finished　his　drink　and　did　not　taste　it。　Another　appeared　out　of　nowhere。　He　drank　half　of　it。
　Orlanda　knew　the　chance　she　was　taking　but　felt　that　either　way　she　would　draw　him　tighter　to　her。　If　he　accepted　he　would　be　beholden　to　her　for　an　exciting　night；　a　night　that　Casey　or　any　quai　loh　woman　would　never　in　a　thousand　years　have　offered　to　him。　If　he　refused；　then　he　would　still　be　grateful　for　her　generosity。　〃Linc；　this　is　Asia。　Here　sex　is　not　Anglo…Saxon　mumbo…jumbo　and　guilt…ridden。　It's　a　pleasure　to　be　sought　like　great　food　or　great　wine。　What's　the　value　of　one　night　to　a　man；　a　real　man；　with　one　of　these　Pleasure　Ladies？　A　moment　of　pleasure。　A　memory。　Nothing　more。　What　has　that　to　do　with　love；　real　love？　Nothing。　I'm　not　for　one　night　or　for　hire。　I　felt　your　yang。　。。。　No　please；　Linc；〃　she　added　quickly　as　she　saw　him　bridle。　〃About　yang　and　yin　things　we　cannot　lie　or　tell　falsehoods；　that　would　destroy　us。　I　felt　you　and　I　was　filled　with　joy。　Didn't　you　feel　me？　You're　strong　and　a　man；　yang；　and　I'm　a　woman；　yin；　and　when　the　music　is　soft　and　。。。　Oh；　Linc。〃　She　put　her　hand　around　his　and　looked　up　at　him　beseechingly。　〃I　beg　you；　don't　be　bound　by　Anglo…American　nonsense。　This　is　Asia　and　I　…　I　want　to　be　everything　a　woman　could　be　for　you。〃
　〃Jesus；　you　really　mean　it？〃
　〃Of　course。　By　the　Madonna；　I　would　like　to　be　everything　that　you　could　desire　in　a　woman；〃　she　said。　〃Everything。　And　I　also　swear　that　when　I'm　old　or　you　no　longer　desire　me　I　will　help　arrange　that　part　of　your　life　to　be　joyous；　openly；　freely。　All　that　I　would　ask　is　to　be　tai…tai；　to　be　part　of　your　life。〃　Orlanda　kissed　him　lightly。　And　then　she　saw　the　sudden　change　in　him。　She　saw　the　awe　and　his　defenselessness　and　she　knew　she　had　won。　Her　glee　almost　swamped　her。　Oh　Quillan；　you're　a　genius；　she　wanted　to　shout。　I　never　believed；　truly　believed；　that　your　suggestion　would　be　so　perfect；　I　never　believed　that　you　were　so　wise；　oh　thank　you　thank　you。
　But　her　face　showed　none　of　this　and　she　waited　patiently；　motionless。
　〃What　does　tai…tai　mean？〃　he　asked　throatily。
　Tai…tai　meant　〃supreme　of　the　supreme；〃　wife。　By　ancient　Chinese　custom；　in　the　home　the　wife　was　supreme；　all　powerful。　〃To　be　part　of　your　life；〃　she　said　softly；　her　whole　being　shouting　caution。
　Again　she　waited。　Bartlett　leaned　down　and　she　felt　his　lips　brush　hers。　But　his　kiss　was　different　and　she　knew　that　from　now　on　their　relationship　would　be　on　a　different　plane。　Her　excitement　soared。　She　broke　the　spell。　〃Now；〃　she　said　as　though　to　a　naughty　child；　〃now；　Mr。　Linc　Bartlett；　which　one　do　you　choose？〃
　〃You。〃
　〃And　I　choose　you；　but　meanwhile　we　have　to　decide　which　one　you're　going　to　consider。　If　these　aren't　to　your　liking　we'll　go　to　another　club。〃　Deliberately　she　kept　her　voice　matter…of…fact。　〃Now　what　about　her？〃　The　girl　was　lovely；　the　one　he　had　looked　at。　Orlanda　had　already　decided　against　her　and　had　chosen　the　one　that　she　would　prefer　but；　she　thought　contentedly；　very　sure　of　herself；　the　poor　boy's　entitled　to　an　opinion。　Oh　I'm　going　to　be　such　a　perfect　wife　for　you！　〃Her　résumé　says　she's　Lily　Tee　…　all　the　girls　have　working　names　they　choose　themselves。　She's　twenty；　from　Shanghai；　speaks　Shanghainese　and　Cantonese　and　her　hobbies　are　dancing；　boating　and　。。。〃　Orlanda　peered　at　the　tiny　characters　and　he　saw　the　lovely　curve　of　her　neck。　〃。。。　and　hiking。　What　about　her？〃
　His　eyes　went　to　the　picture。　〃Listen；　Orlanda；　I　haven't　been　with　a　whore　for　years；　not　since　I　was　in　the　army。　I've　never　been　much　on　them。〃
　〃I　understand　pletely　and　you're　right；〃　she　told　him　patiently；　〃but　these　aren't　whores；　not　in　the　American　sense。　There's　nothing　vulgar　or　secret　about　them　or　what　I　propose。　These　are　Pleasure　Ladies　who　may　offer　you　their　youth　which　has　great　value；　in　exchange　for　some　of　your　money　which　has　almost　none。　It's　a　fair　exchange；　given　and　received　with　face　on　both　sides。　For　instance；　you　should　know　in　advance　how　much　she　should　receive　and　you　must　never　give　her　the　money　directly；　you　must　only　put　it　into　her　handbag。　That's　important；　and　it's　very　important　to　me　that　your　first　encounter　be　perfect。　I've　got　to　protect　your　face　too；　an…　〃
　〃e　on；　Orlan…　〃
　〃But　I'm　serious；　Linc。　This　choosing；　this　gift　from　me　to　you　has　nothing　to　do　with　you　and　me；　nothing。　What　happens　with　us　is　joss。　It's　just　important　to　me　for　you　to　enjoy　life；　to　know　what　Asia　is；　really　is；　not　what　Americans　think　it　is。　Please？〃
　Bartlett　was　floundering　now；　all　his　well…tested　signposts　and　guides　shattered　and　useless　against　this　woman　who　fascinated　and　astounded　him。
　He　was　drunk　with　her　warmth　and　tenderness。　All　of　him　believed　her。
　Then；　suddenly；　he　remembered　and　his　inner　self　screamed　caution。　His　euphoria　fled。　He　had　just　remembered　to　whom　he　had　mentioned　how　much　he　loved　Italian　food。　Gornt。　Gornt；　a　couple　of　days　ago。　Talking　about　the　best　meal　he　had　ever　had。　Italian　food　with　beer。　Gornt。　Jesus　are　these　two　in　cahoots？　Can't　be；　just　can't　be！　Maybe　I　told　her　about　the　same　meal。　Did　I？
　He　searched　his　mind　but　could　not　remember　exactly；　all　of　him　rocked　but　his　eyes　kept　seeing　her　waiting　there；　smiling　at　him；　loving　him。　Gornt　and　Orlanda？　They　can't　be　in　cahoots！　No　way！　Even　so；　be　cautious。　You　know　almost　nothing　about　her；　so　watch　out　for　chrissake；　you're　in　a　web；　her　web。　Is　it　a　Gornt　web　too？
　Test　her；　the　devil　in　him　shouted。　Test　her。　If　she　means　what　she　says　then　that's　something　else　and　she's　from　outer　space　and　just　as　rare　and　you'll　have　to　decide　about　her　…　you'll　only　have　her　on　her　terms。
　Test　her　while　you've　the　chance　…　you've　nothing　to　lose。
　〃What？〃　she　asked；　sensing　a　change。
　〃I　was　just　thinking　about　what　you　said；　Orlanda。　Shall　I　choose　now？〃
　
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　11：35　P。M。：
　Suslev　was　sitting　in　the　half…dark　of　their　safe　house　at　32　Sinclair　Towers。　Because　of　his　meeting　with　Grey　he　had　changed　the　rendezvous　with　Arthur　to　here。
　He　sipped　his　drink　in　the　dark。　Beside　him　on　the　side　table　was　a　bottle　of　vodka；　two　glasses　and　the　telephone。　His　heart　thumped　heavily　as　it　always　did　when　he　was　waiting　for　a　clandestine　meeting。　Will　I　never　get　used　to　them？　he　asked　himself。　No。　Tonight　I'm　tired　though　everything　has　gone　beautifully。　Grey's　programmed　now。　That　poor　fool；　driven　by　hatred　and　envy　and　jealousy！　Center　must　further　caution　the　leadership　of　the　BCP　about　him　…　the　trend's　too　vulnerable。　And　Travkin；　once　a　prince；　now　nothing；　and　Jacques　deVille　…　that　impetuous　inpetent　…　and　all　the　others。
　Never　mind！　Everything　goes　excellently。　Everything's　prepared　against　tomorrow　and　the　arrival　of　the　man　Sinders。　An　involuntary　shudder　went　through　Suslev。　I　wouldn't　want　to　be　trapped　by　them。　MI…6　are　dangerous；　mitted　and　fanatic　against　us；　like　the　CIA；　but　much　worse。　If　the　CIA　and　MI…6　plan；　code　name　Anubis；　to　join　Japan；　China；　England；　Canada　and　America　together　ever　es　to　pass；　Mother　Russia　will　be　ruined　forever。　Ah　my　country　my　country！　How　I　miss　Georgia；　so　beautiful　and　gentle　and　verdant。
　The　songs　of　his　childhood；　the　folk　songs　of　Georgia；　welled　up　and　took　him　back。　He　wiped　away　a　small　tear　at　the　thought　of　so　much　beauty；　so　far　away。　Never　mind；　m