He had seen Fujiko before he left. The doctor had visited her and had changed the bandages and given her herb medicines. She was proud of the honors and new fief and had rattled on nicely, showing no pain, glad that he was going to the Tea Houses - of course, Mariko-san had consulted her and everything had been arranged, how good Mariko-san was! How sorry she was to have the burns so that she couldn't make the arrangements for him herself. He had touched Fujiko's hand before he left, liking her. She had thanked him and apologized again, and sent him on his way hoping that he would have a wonderful evening.
Gyoko and maids had been waiting ceremoniously at the gate of the Tea House to greet them.
"This is Gyoko-san, she's the Mama-san here."
"So honored, Anjin-san, so honored."
"Mama-san? You mean mama? Mother? That's the same in English, Mariko-san. Mama - mommy- mother."
"Oh! It's almost the same, but, so sorry, 'mama-san' just means 'stepmother' or 'foster parent,' Anjin-san. Mother is 'haha-san' or 'oba-san.' " In a moment Gyoko excused herself and hurried away. Blackthorne smiled at Mariko. She had been like a child, gazing at everything. "Oh, Anjin-san, I've always wanted to see the inside of one of these places. Men are so very lucky! Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it marvelous, even in a tiny village? Gyoko-san must have had it refurbished completely by master craftsmen! Look at the quality of the woods and - oh, you're so kind to allow me to be with you. I'll never have another opportunity . . . look at the flowers . . . what an exquisite arrangement . . . and oh, look out into the garden . . . ."
Blackthorne was very glad and very sorry that a maid was in the room and the shoji door open, for even here in a tea house it would be unthinkable and lethal for Mariko to be alone with him in a room.
"Thou art beautiful," he said in Latin.
"And thou." Her face was dancing. "I am very proud of thee, Admiral of Ships. And Fujiko - oh, she was so proud she could hardly lie still!"
"Her burns seemed bad."
"Have no fear. The doctors are well practiced and she is young and strong and confident. Tonight put everything from thy mind. No more questions about Ishido or Ikawa Jikkyu, or battles or codewords or fiefs or ships. Tonight no cares - tonight only magic things for thee. "
"Thou art magic for me."
She fluttered her fan and poured the wine and said nothing. He watched her, then they smiled together. "Because others are here and tongues wag, we must still be cautious. But oh, I am so happy for thee," she said.
"Thou. What was the other reason? You said there was another reason you wanted me to be here tonight?"
"Ah yes, the other reason." The same heavy perfume drifted around him. "It is an ancient custom we have, Anjin-san. When a lady who belongs to someone else cares for another man, and wishes to give him something of consequence that it is forbidden to give, then she will arrange for another to take her place - a gift the most perfect courtesan that she can afford."
"You said 'when a lady cares for someone else.' Do you mean 'love'?"
"Yes. But only for tonight."
"Thou."
"Thou, Anjin-san."
"Why tonight, Mariko-san, why not before?"
"Tonight is a magic night and kami walk with us. I desire thee."
Then Kiku was at the doorway. "Hallelujah!" And he was welcomed and served sake.
"How do I say that the Lady's especially pretty?"
Mariko told him and he repeated the words. The girl laughed gaily, accepted the compliment, and returned it.
"Kiku-san asks if you would like her to sing or dance for you."
"What is thy preference?"
"This Lady is here for thy pleasure, samurai, not mine."
"And thou? Thou art here also for my pleasure?"
"Yes, in a way - in a very private way."
"Then please ask her to sing."
Kiku clapped her hands gently and Ako brought the samisen. It was long, shaped something like a guitar, and three-stringed. Ako set it in position on the floor and gave the ivory plectrum to Kiku.
Kiku said, "Lady Toda, please tell our honored guest that first I will sing 'The Song of the Dragonfly.'"
"Kiku-san, I would be honored if tonight, here, you would call me Mariko-san."
"You are too kind to me, Madam. Please excuse me. I could not possibly be so impolite."
"Please."
"I will if it pleases you, though..." Her smile was lovely. "Thank you, Mariko-sama."
She strummed a chord. From the moment that the guests had walked through the gateway into her world, all her senses had been tuned.
She had secretly watched them while they were with Gyoko-san and when they were alone, searching for any clue how to pleasure him or to impress the Lady Toda.
She had not been prepared for what soon became obvious: clearly the Anjin-san desired the Lady Toda, though he hid it as well as any civilized person could hide it. This in itself was not surprising, for the Lady Toda was most beautiful and accomplished and, most important, she alone could talk with him. What astounded her was that she was certain the Lady Toda desired him equally, if not more.
