jamesclavell.noblehouse-第183章

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ertly。
　〃That　feels　great；〃　he　said；　wanting　her。
　〃Ah；〃　she　replied；　very　pleased；　〃I'm　very　good　at　massage；　Linc。　I　took　lessons　from　a　Japanese。　Do　you　have　a　regular　massage？〃
　〃No。〃
　〃You　should。　It's　very　important　for　your　body；　very　important　to　keep　every　muscle　tuned。　You　tune　your　aircraft；　don't　you？　So　why　not　your　body？　Tomorrow　I'll　arrange　it　for　you。〃　Her　nails　dug　into　his　neck　mischievously。　〃She's　a　woman；　but　not　to　be　touched；　heya？〃
　〃e　on；　Orlanda！〃
　〃I　was　teasing；　silly；〃　she　told　him　at　once；　brightly；　taking　away　the　sudden　tension　easily。　〃This　woman's　blind。　In　olden　days　in　China　and　even　today　in　Taiwan；　blind　people　are　given　a　monopoly　on　the　art　and　business　of　massage；　their　fingers　being　their　eyes。　Oh　yes。　Of　course　there　are　lots　of　quacks　and　charlatans　who　pretend　to　have　knowledge　but　don't；　not　really。　In　Hong　Kong　you　soon　know　who's　real　and　who　isn't。　This　is　a　very　tiny　village。〃　She　leaned　forward　and　brushed　her　lips　against　his　neck。　〃That's　because　you're　beautiful。〃
　He　laughed。　〃I'm　supposed　to　say　that。〃　He　put　his　arm　around　her；　bewitched；　and　gave　her　a　little　hug；　very　conscious　of　the　captain　at　the　helm　ten　feet　away。
　〃Would　you　like　to　go　forward　and　see　the　rest　of　the　ship？〃　she　asked。
　He　stared　at　her。　〃You　a　mind　reader　too？〃
　She　laughed；　her　lovely　face　a　mirror　of　joy。　〃Isn't　it　the　girl's　part　to　notice　if　her　。。。　if　her　date's　happy　or　sad　or　wanting　to　be　alone　or　whatever？　I　was　taught　to　use　my　eyes　and　senses；　Linc。　Certainly　I　try　to　read　your　mind　but　if　I'm　wrong　you　must　tell　me　so　that　I　can　get　better。　But　if　I'm　correct　。。。　doesn't　that　make　it　grander　for　you？〃　And　so　much　easier　to　ensnare　you　beyond　escape。　To　control　you　on　a　line　you　can　so　easily　break　if　you　wish；　my　art　being　to　make　the　too　thin　line　like　a　steel　mesh。
　Oh　but　that　was　not　easy　to　learn！　Quillan　was　a　cruel　teacher；　oh　so　cruel。　Much　of　my　education　was　done　in　anger；　Quillan　cursing　me；　〃For　chrissake　can't　you　ever　learn　to　use　your　bloody　eyes？　It　should　have　been　crystal　clear　when　I　came　here　that　I　was　feeling　rotten　and　had　a　rotten　day！　Why　the　hell　didn't　you　get　me　a　drink　at　once；　touch　me　gently　at　once　and　then　keep　your　bloody　mouth　shut　for　ten　minutes　while　I　recoup　…　just　tender　and　understanding　for　ten　bloody　minutes　and　then　I'd　be　fine　again！〃
　〃But　Quillan；〃　she　had　whimpered　through　her　tears；　frightened　by　his　rage；　〃you　came　in　so　angrily　you　upset　me　and　th…　〃
　〃I've　told　you　fifty　times　not　to　be　upset　just　because　I'm　bloody　upset！　It's　your　job　to　take　the　tension　out　of　me！　Use　your　bloody　eyes　and　ears　and　sixth　sense！　All　I　need's　ten　minutes　and　I'm　docile　again　and　putty。　For　chrissake；　don't　I　watch　over　you　all　the　time？　Don't　I　use　my　bloody　eyes　and　try　to　defuse　you？　Every　month　at　the　same　time　you're　always　edgy；　eh？　Don't　I　take　care　to　be　as　calm　as　possible　then　and　keep　you　calmed？　Eh？〃
　〃Yes　but　d…　〃
　〃To　hell　with　but！　By　God；　now　I'm　in　a　worse　temper　than　when　I　came　in！　It's　your　bloody　fault　because　you're　stupid；　unwomanly；　and　you　of　all　people　should　know　better！〃
　Orlanda　remembered　how　he　had　slammed　out　of　the　apartment　and　she　had　burst　into　tears；　the　birthday　dinner　she　had　cooked　ruined　and　the　evening　wrecked。　Later；　he　had　e　back；　calm　now；　and　had　taken　her　into　his　arms　and　held　her　tenderly　as　she　wept；　sorry　for　the　row　that　she　agreed　was　unnecessary　and　her　fault。　〃Listen；　Orlanda；〃　he　had　said　so　gently。　〃I'm　not　the　only　man　you'll　have　to　control　in　this　life；　not　the　only　one　on　whom　you'll　depend　…　it's　a　basic　fact　that　women　depend　on　some　man；　however　rotten　and　evil　and　difficult。　It's　so　easy　for　a　woman　to　be　in　control。　Oh　so　easy　if　you　use　your　eyes；　understand　that　men　are　children　and；　from　time　to　time　…　most　of　the　time　…　stupid；　petulant　and　awful。　But　they　supply　the　money　and　it's　hard　to　do　that；　very　hard。　It's　very　hard　to　keep　supplying　the　money　day　after　day　whoever　you　are。　Moh　ching　moh　meng　。。。　no　money　no　life。　In　return　the　woman's　got　to　supply　the　harmony　…　the　man　can't；　not　all　the　time。　But　the　woman　can　always　cheer　her　man　if　she　wants　to；　can　always　take　the　poison　out　of　him。　Always。　Just　by　being　calm　and　loving　and　tender　and　understanding　for　such　a　short　time。　I'll　teach　you　the　game　of　life。　You'll　have　a　Ph。D。　in　survival；　as　a　woman；　but　you've　got　to　work　。。。〃
　Oh　how　I　worked；　Orlanda　thought　grimly；　remembering　all　her　tears。　But　now　I　know。　Now　I　can　do　instinctively　what　I　forced　myself　to　learn。　〃e　on；　let　me　show　you　the　forward　part　of　the　ship。〃　She　got　up；　conscious　of　the　captain's　eyes；　and　led　the　way　confidently。
　As　they　walked　she　slipped　her　arm　momentarily　in　Linc's；　then　took　the　railing　of　the　gangway　and　went　below。　The　stateroom　was　big；　with　fortable　chaises　and　sofas　and　deep　chairs　fixed　to　the　deck。　The　cocktail　cabinet　was　well　stocked。　〃The　galley's　forward　in　the　fo'c'sle　with　the　crew　quarters；〃　she　said。　〃They're　cramped　but　good　for　Hong　Kong。〃　A　small　corridor　led　forward。　Four　cabins；　two　with　a　double　bunk；　two　with　bunks　one　over　the　other。　Neat　and　shipshape　and　inviting。　〃Aft's　Quillan's　master　stateroom　and　the　master　suite。　It's　luxurious。〃　She　smiled　thoughtfully。　〃He　enjoys　the　best。〃
　〃Yes；〃　Bartlett　said。　He　kissed　her　and　she　responded；　fully　responded。　His　desire　made　her　limp　and　liquid　and　she　let　herself　go　into　his　desire；　matching　his　passion；　certain　that　he　would　stop　and　that　she　would　not　have　to　stop　him。
　The　game　had　been　planned　that　way。
　She　felt　his　strength。　At　once　her　loins　pressed　closer；　moving　slightly。　His　hands　roved　her　and　hers　responded。　It　was　glorious　in　his　arms；　better　than　she　had　ever　known　with　Quillan　who　was　always　teacher；　always　in　control；　always　unsharable。　They　were　on　the　bunk　when　Bartlett　backed　off。　Her　body　cried　out　for　his；　but　still　she　exulted。
　〃Let's　go　back　on　deck；〃　she　heard　him　say；　his　voice　throaty。
　
　Gornt　crossed　the　fine　stateroom　and　went　into　the　master　suite　and　locked　the　door　behind　him。　The　girl　was　sweetly　asleep　in　the　huge　bed　under　the　light　blanket。　He　stood　at　the　foot　of　the　bed；　enjoying　the　sight　of　her　before　he　touched　her。　She　came　out　of　sleep　slowly。　〃Ayeeyah；　I　slept　so　well；　Honored　Sir。　Your　bed　is　so　inviting；〃　she　said　in　Shanghainese　with　a　smile　and　a　yawn　and　stretched　gloriously　as　a　kitten　would　stretch。　〃Did　you　eat　well？〃
　〃Excellently；〃　he　replied　in　the　same　language。　〃Was　yours　equally　fine？〃
　〃Oh　yes；　delicious！〃　she　said　politely。　〃Boat　Steward　Cho　brought　the　same　dishes　you　had。　I　particularly　liked　the　octopus　with　black　bean　and　garlic　sauce。〃　She　sat　up　in　the　bed　and　leaned　against　the　silk　pillows；　quite　naked。　〃Should　I　get　dressed　and　e　on　deck　now？〃
　〃No；　Little　Kitten；　not　yet。〃　Gornt　sat　on　the　bed　and　reached　out　and　touched　her　breasts　and　felt　a　little　shiver　run　through　her。　Her　Chinese　hostess　name　was　Beauty　of　the　Snow　and　he　had　hired　her　for　the　evening　from　the　Happy　Hostess　Night　Club。　He　had　considered　bringing　Mona　Leung；　his　present　girl　friend　instead；　but　she　would　be　far　too　independent　to　remain　below　happily　and　only　e　on　deck　at　his　whim。
　He　had　chosen　Beauty　of　the　Snow　very　carefully。　Her　beauty　was　extraordinary；　in　face　and　body　and　the　texture　of　her　skin。　She　was　eighteen；　and　had　been　in　Hong　Kong　barely　a　month。　A　friend　in　Taiwan　had　told　him　about　her　rarity　and　said　that　she　was　about　to　join　the　Happy　Hostess　Night　Club　from　the　sister　club　in　Taiwan。　Two　weeks　ago　he　had　gone　there　and　made　an　arrangement　that　had　proved　profitable　to　both　of　them。　Tonight　when　Orlanda　had　told　him　she　was　dining　with　Bartlett　and　he　had　invited　them　aboard；　at　once　he　had　called　the　Happy　Hostess　and　bought　Beauty　of　the　Snow　out　of　the　club　for　the　night　and　hurried　her　aboard。
　〃I'm　playing　a　game　on　a　friend　tonight；〃　he　had　told　her。　〃I　want　you　to　stay　here　in　this　cabin；　in　this　place；　until　I　bring　you　on　deck。　It　may　be　an　hour　or　two　but　you　are　to　stay　here；　quiet　as　a　mouse；　until　I　fetch　you。〃
　〃Ayeeyah；　in　this　floating　palace；　I　am　prepared　to　stay　a　week　without　charge。　Just　my　food　and　more　of　the　champagne　。。。　though　pillowing　would　be　extra。　May　I　sleep　in　the　bed　if　I　wish？〃
　〃Certainly；　but　please　shower　first。〃
　〃A　shower？　Bless　all　gods！　Hot　and　cold　water？　That　will　be　paradise　…　this　water　shortage　is　very　unhygienic。〃
　Gornt　had　brought　her　tonight　to　taunt　Orlanda　if　he　decided　he　wanted　to　taunt　her。　Beauty　of　the　Snow　was　much　younger；　prettier；　and　he　knew　that　the　sight　of　her　wearing　one　of　the　elegant　robes　that　once　Orlanda　had　worn　would　send　her　into　a　spasm。　All　through　dinner；　he　had　chortled　to　himself；　wondering　when　he　should　produce　her　for　maximum　effect：　to　excite　Bartlett　and　to　remind　Orlanda　that　she　was　already　old　by　Hong　Kong　standards；　and　that　without　his　active　help　she　would　never　get　Bartlett；　not　the　way　she　wanted。
　Do　I　want　her　married　to　Bartlett？　he　asked　himself；　bemused。
　No。　And　yet；　if　Orlanda　were　Bartlett's　wife　he　would　always　be　in　my　power　because　she　is　and　ever　will　be。　So　far　she　hasn't　forgotten　that。　So　far　she's　been　obedient　and　filial。　And　frightened。
　He　laughed。　Oh　revenge　will　be　sweet　when　I　lower　the　boom　on　you；　my　dear。　As　I　will；　one　day。　Oh　yes；　my　dear；　I　haven't　forgotten　the　snickers　of　all　those　smug　bastards　…　Pug；　Plumm；　Havergill　or　Ian　bloody　Dunross　…　when　they　heard　that　you　couldn't　wait　to　leap　into　bed　with　a　stud　half　my　age。
　Should　I　tell　you　now　that　you're　my　mui　jai？
　When　Orlanda　was　thirteen　her　Shanghainese　mother　had　e　to　see　him。　〃Times　are　very　hard；　Lord；　our　debts　to　the　pany　are　huge　and　your　patience　and　kindness　overwhelm　us。〃
　〃Times　are　bad　for　everyone；〃　he　had　told　her。
　〃Unfortunately；　since　last　week；　my　husband's　department　no　longer　exists。　At　the　end　of　the　month　he　is　to　leave；　after　seventeen　years　of　service；　and　we　cannot　pay　our　debts　to　you。〃
　〃Eduardo　Ramos　is　a　good　man　and　will　easily　find　a　new　and　better　position。〃
　〃Yin　ksiao　shih　ta；〃　she　had　said：　We　lose　much　because　of　a　small　thing。
　〃Joss；〃　he　had　said；　hoping　the　trap　was　sprung　and　all　the　seeds　he　had　sown　would；　at　long　last；　bear　fruit。
　〃Joss；〃　she　had　agreed。　〃But　there　is　Orlanda。〃
　〃What　about　Orlanda？〃
　〃Perhaps　she　could　be　a　mui　jai。〃　A　mui　jai　was　a　daughter　given　by　a　debtor　to　a　creditor　forever；　in　settlement　for　debts　that　could　not　otherwise　be　paid　…　to　be　brought　up　as　the　creditor　wished；　or　used　or　given　away　as　the　creditor　wished。　It　was　an　ancient　Chinese　custom；　and　quite　legal。
　Gornt　remembered　the　glow　he　had　felt。　The　negotiations　had　taken　several　weeks。　Gornt　agreed　to　cancel　Ramos's　debts　…　the　debts　that　Gornt　had　so　carefully　encouraged；　agreed　to　reinstate　Ramos；　giving　the　man　a　modest　guaranteed　pension　and　help　in　setting　up　in　Portugal；　and　to　pay　for　Orlanda's　schooling　in　America。　In　return　the　Ramoses　guaranteed　to　provide　Orlanda　to　him；　virgin　and　suitably　enamored；　on　or　before　her　eighteenth　birthday。　There　would　be　no　refusal。　〃This；　by　all　the　gods；　will　be　a　perpetual　secret　between　us。　I　think；　too；　it　would　be　equally　better　to　keep　it　secret　from　her；　Lord；　forever。　B