Back in her room, Anna sat down heavily and closed her eyes for a moment. She was really tired and truly needed a rest. 'As the good doctor ordered.' She thought with a grin.
However, after only a few minutes she heard a discreet knock and Reiko entered with a tray. "Ana-San." She bowed. "Lord Takeda sent his retainer, asking about your wellbeing." She poured tea with the elegance Anna could never hope to match.
"His doctor didn't report to him?!" Anna's exclamation was an expression of her frustration and impatience.
"I am sure, he did." Reiko's answer was calm and dignified, making Anna feel embarrassed by her outburst. "But the Lord would prefer to hear it from your own lips. He wishes you to join him for tea in Lord Matsuda's gardens."
Anna was so stunned that at first she didn't even know what to say. But soon enough her independent nature bristled against blindly following the will of another person. He might be a great DaimyÅ, but she wasn't going to let him control her.
"To be honest... I don't feel very well." She adopted a sad face. "And probably should rest. Would you be so kind and convey my answer to the Lord?"
"Ana-San," Reiko's face displayed pure shock. "You can't refuse an invitation from a powerful DaimyÅ!"
"Well, I am sure Lord Takeda will take into consideration that I have been wounded and now just follow the recommendation of the Lord's own physician. Please add that his attention honours me, but I must refuse."
Anna's expression and her tone told Reiko that she wouldn't change her mind under any circumstances and so she didn't press the matter any further. She excused herself and left the room.
Seeing her chance to get everybody the slip, Anna used the back entrance to the inn's garden and quickly disappeared behind trees.
Falling rain didn't deter her. During her years in America she got used to all kinds of weather. Besides, the rain gave her a peace of mind that nobody would follow her here. Anna felt tired of the constant company of people. Her years of travelling taught her to appreciate the value of solitude. Now she missed it.
She closed her eyes and lifted her face up, delighting in a feeling of tiny raindrops on her skin. However, after a while she decided that getting her clothes and her wound dressing wet wouldn't be the best idea and she found asylum under the branches of a huge tree. She sat down, resting her back against the trunk and considered everything that had happened in the last few days.
Truth to be told, there were many things to ponder on...
Firstly, why Lord Takeda paid her so much attention? It definitely wasn't the customary behaviour in a lord of his position. Why would he want to acquaint himself with her: a woman, Gai-Jin, who wears men's clothing and demands respect for herself?
Secondly, she still had not revealed her true motives for coming to Japan. And in all honesty, she would prefer never to have to reveal it. But how was she to separate from her companions?
And thirdly, who would want to kill Lord Takeda? By strange workings of the mind, her thoughts returned to the Japanese Lord.
He was, without a doubt, a very attractive man. A man who knew how to treat a woman with courtesy. Even a woman who stood socially so much lower than himself. But he behaved as he was planning to seduce her... Because it didn't even cross her mind that he might have had some darker designs on her. But he surely couldn't contemplate any relationship with Gai-Jin!
Thinking about it, Anna smiled to herself. She had always known that her golden hair, blue eyes and independent spirit intrigued men. But she had never deluded herself that it was anything more than purely physical attraction. She was too intelligent not to see that no man would accept a woman... a wife, who was his equal and who would want to make her own decisions. Besides, living alone had suited her so far.
Suddenly she thought it was her knowledge of the language and the culture that so excited both Lords. Maybe they suspected her to be some kind of spy? But what was there to spy on?
In that moment she heard a discreet cough behind her, as if someone was trying to get her attention. She jumped up and with the same fluid movement she had demonstrated previously she reached for her gun.
A few feet away stood... Lord Takeda.
She looked around. He was alone, which seemed odd, considering that somebody had tried to kill him only the day before.
"My Lord." She let her hand drop and bowed. But waited in silence, forcing him to speak first.
"Ana-San." He bowed in return, saying nothing else. He completely ignored the falling rain, which with every drop ruined his exquisite kimono.
He was momentarily shocked by the look of annoyance that briefly crossed her face at his appearance. He was used to people being honoured just by his presence, but she obviously didn't want his company. It stung him a little, but strangely also elevated his respect for her.
Only after a long while he bowed again and finally spoke. "Ana-San, I didn't mean to disrupt your meditation, but I needed to hear from you that you are feeling well and... " He hesitated. "... safe."
She guessed that a detailed description of last night's incident had reached him first thing in the morning.
"My Lord, I am truly grateful for your help and... interest." She purposefully stressed that word to let him know she had noticed it as something unorthodox. "However, I feel fine and do not require any more of the doctor's ministrations. The armed guard also seems to be superfluous."
"Ana-San," He made a move as to step towards her, but he stopped himself and stayed in the same place. "May I speak plainly?"
She looked at him with a new consideration. "My Lord, has anything happened?... Please, step out of the rain."
"ArigatÅ, Ana-San." He bowed and joined her under the tree. His face was full of concern. "As you probably have already guessed I was told about the last night's incident with the soldier. Reiko-San expressed her misgivings regarding him and I am inclined to trust her judgement in this matter."
"My Lord..." She wanted to say something, but he stopped her by raising his hand.
"Ana-San." He continued. "You saved my life, risking your own. This kind of debt cannot be paid with gifts. My honour dictates that now I should protect you. Until I am satisfied that nothing can threaten you, I will stay here to make sure you are safe. This should not seem suspicious or... inappropriate." He added after a pause.
Surprising him, but also herself, she reddened with embarrassment. He seemed to be reading her thoughts, even before she had even formulated them.
"I confess, that I am greatly interested in your person." He continued. "You are an unusual woman, Ana-San, and I would like to know a little more about your life. Perhaps one day I will deserve the honesty. But if not... Please, at least let me make your stay here more pleasurable."
Anna was very surprised. He talked to her as to an equal, with respect and deep gratitude. "My Lord Takeda." She bowed. "Your words flatter me. I am very grateful for your offer to entertain us. My companions will be happy to hear that."
On hearing her mention the Americans, a flicker of contempt appeared on his face. Judging by that, they didn't make on him a very good impression. "Of course, they are included in my offer." He assured. "However, only because you wish so."
"Thank you, nevertheless... But, My Lord, are you not concerned with your own safety?" She changed the subject. "You shouldn't be here alone and unattended."
He thanked for her concern with a smile. "I trust your instincts. But I also have my people surrounding the grounds and nobody dares to interrupt us."
"Is there any chance of finding the assassin?"
"No... But he was just a hired killer." He shrugged indifferently. "He would have revealed nothing anyway."
"But who would want to kill you, My Lord?"
"I have enemies." He cut the subject. "But let us not talk about it anymore. I have another favour to ask of you, Ana-San."
She looked at him, intrigued.
"Would you be so generous and spare me some of your time to... practice the English with me?"
This startled her. "You speak my language?!" She exclaimed in English.
"Yes, I do." He replied. "But I have had little chance to use it until now."
Suddenly his peculiar behaviour explained itself; like during that first meeting in the port, when he looked very amused - he had just understood what Anna was saying to her companions, berating them for their lack of manners.
She also understood and appreciated the trust he had in her, revealing that he knew English. Undoubtedly, it was one of his skills he liked to keep hidden...
But does it mean he was here because of the upcoming negotiations?
"You must believe that my presence here at this time is purely coincidental." He spoke as if he was really able to read her mind. "Lord Matsuda is an old friend and I visit him regularly." He switched back to Japanese. "I didn't even know that Kanagawa had been chosen as a meeting place for the negotiations."
"My Lord, it will be a true pleasure." She smiled. "But where did you learn to speak my language?"
"Perhaps I will share my secrets when you trust me with yours." He laughed and his face lit up. In that moment he appeared to her as a mischievous oriental Loki. In her childhood she often heard her father talking about Vikings and their beliefs...
The memory of her father hit her suddenly with a power of a physical blow. Her smile disappeared and her eyes filled with pain.
This unexpected change confused him. What did he say to affect her so strongly?
"Ana-San." He wanted to touch her, but stopped himself in the last moment. "What has happened?... Did I offend you?"
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. With all of her willpower she fought for control. Eventually, she felt confident that she could look at him again. "I humbly apologise, My Lord. It's nothing..."
"I can see that you are upset."
"It's nothing!" She repeated stubbornly.
He could see her internal struggle and knew that something caused her pain. But he respected her right to privacy. She would trust him one day perhaps.
"Ana-San, I came here only with an intention of hearing how you are really feeling. Please forgive me for distressing you." He bowed.
"It is nothing, My Lord. I am grateful for your concern. I feel fine. My wound is not infected and will heal soon... Allow me to thank you for sending your physician, My Lord."
"It was possibly my fault that you were injured." He smiled again.
She expected him to say that it was his fault, because he was the intended target and she was wounded only by accident. But he surprised her yet again.
"If you didn't wear the kimono I sent you, you would have undoubtedly managed to avoid the arrow. I have noticed the ease with which you move in your western clothing... May I ask, where did you acquire this level of skill with guns?"
"I have lived travelling for many years. I had to be able to defend myself. Especially as a woman."
She was astonished at herself for answering with such honesty. But this time she felt differently towards him. It didn't feel as if he was trying to trick her for information. This time he seemed genuinely interested.
"So you don't have a home and a man to defend you?" He asked with a pretence of an indifference, but somehow she heard a tension in his voice.
"No. No man would allow me to be... me. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes, I understand." His expression was thoughtful.
"And you, My Lord? If it's not impertinent to ask... Do you have a wife?"
"No. I was married once, but... my wife died."
"I am very sorry for your loss, My Lord." She looked at him with a true compassion.
He inclined his head a little in thanks. "She was very young." He continued with sadness, after a moment. "An independent spirit. She was ordered to marry me. I treated her well, yet she was unhappy... She died, giving birth to our son... My family pressures me to take another wife..." He stopped, suddenly embarrassed. "Please, forgive me. I shouldn't bother you with my problems."
"Sometimes we all need to unburden ourselves and an outsider is perhaps the best person to share our grief." She acknowledged the universal truth. "Where is your son now?"
"With my wife's family, in the north."
"How old is he?" She smiled.
"He has just turned five."
"May fate keep him safe and happy."
"ArigatÅ, Ana-San." He was truly touched by her good wishes. "ArigatÅ."
Suddenly, Anna broke the somber mood, giggling like a little girl. "My Lord, now everybody will gossip about us!"
His eyebrows shot up and he also smiled. "Yes, that's unfortunately true. I am sorry that my presence here will ruin your reputation, Ana-San."
"Reputation?!" She laughed. "I don't think I have anything to worry about. I don't suppose that a woman carrying weapons and wearing men's clothing could be highly respected in your country... Or any country."
"Yes," He left it without a comment. "They will all gossip now that I took you for my concubine." He mused. "Nobody will believe that we have only talked as equals."
"Equals, My Lord?"
"Yes. We are bound by the ties of blood and honour." He stated with conviction. "And although even I find it strange, that is a fact. You have a soul of samurai. And as such you have my friendship and respect." He bowed.
"DÅmo arigatÅgozaimashita, Takeda-Sama." Anna knelt and bowed to him with gratitude. "I am greatly honoured, My Lord."
"Please, rise." He helped her to her feet. "May I now sit with you?"
"Yes, My Lord." She smiled, amused. "It will be a pleasure."
They settled themselves comfortably on the bed made of fallen leaves and needles.
"And now, as your friend, will you tell me about the soldier?"
Her face clouded briefly, but soon she smiled again. "Partially it is your fault, My Lord. Since I met him, he treated me as somebody vastly inferior. Only here, in the beautiful kimono, which you gave me, he saw me for the first time with new eyes. That's what Reiko-San observed a couple of days ago.
"But he forced his way into your room."
"He was drunk." She shrugged with indifference. "Anyway, I am able to defend myself."
"I only saw him briefly, but he looked to me like a man, who takes what he wants without any consideration for other's wishes. Reiko-San agrees with that."
"He cannot hurt me." She dismissed his worries. "He will not dare! They need me too much. But I thank you for your warning, My Lord."
After a long while he broke the silence again. "From the way you speak and behave I can surmise that you learned my language somewhere on the west coast... From farmers? In a fishing village?"
She was stunned how close was his guess. But she wasn't ready to trust him just yet.
"Please forgive me, My Lord, but I must depart now." She got up.
"I fully understand your reluctance to trust me." He also rose. "I do not blame you. Perhaps we will manage to get to know each other better one day. Please believe that I have enjoyed our conversation."
"I am honoured, Lord Takeda."
"I hope to meet you again soon." He bowed and left her alone.
She stayed in her place, unable to get back to the inn yet. She sat down heavily and reflected on the whole conversation.
Although she had never known a Japanese Lord before, from the stories she heard, she had a completely different mental image of the ruling class.
Again she thought there were only two possibilities to explain his bizarre behaviour. One - Lord Takeda was completely different from his peers and was able to treat people according to their merits, not the status. Two - he lied to gain her trust. But she couldn't imagine any reasons that would compel him to do that. She was only an interpreter and didn't know any secrets. He correctly guessed where she learned her Japanese, but the need to find and punish people who hid her against the official law couldn't be a reason enough.
There was also another possibility...
Like other men before him, he could desire her as something exotic and unattainable. However, she didn't notice in his behaviour anything that would betray a strong sexual interest. Perhaps he was a patient man, but it was highly unlikely. From her own experience she knew that if a man wanted a woman, nothing could hide his real intentions.
Of course, his interest flattered her. Despite her need to be treated on equal terms with the men, she was also a woman. And he was so far the first man she had known, who was able to appreciate her intellect and her skills. She had to admit to herself that she enjoyed his company. He was charming and... handsome!
"Bloody hell!" She exclaimed in English. "At this rate I will fall for him like a total idiot!" She got up and went back to the inn, still mumbling some invectives to herself.