Anna had all the comforts and the servants available at the click of her fingers. Her clothes and other personal effects she had left at the inn were soon brought to her and after that nobody bothered her.
But she was bored senseless. She had not seen even a glimpse of Lord Takeda since he had left her alone the previous afternoon. Finally, unable to spend any more time alone, she sent a serving girl with a request to see him.
Anna had fully expected to hear the answer through another servant and perhaps the summons for later, but once again he surprised her, by appearing in her rooms after only a few minutes.
"Ana-San." He bowed. "Could I do something to make your stay here more pleasurable?"
"My Lord, I feel lonely." She confessed. "I have nobody to talk to."
"I didn't wish to impose on you." He said curtly.
Then she understood. She offended him yesterday and this cold treatment was her punishment. But she wasn't somebody who would meekly accept things as they were.
"My Lord, I am here on your explicit invitation." She stressed that word. "And as a gracious host you should feel obliged to entertain me."
He smiled. And this time the smile was warm and friendly. "Ana-San, please forgive me that lack of manners. Indeed, I appear to be a rather poor host. Will you forgive me if I ask you to join us for a feast? One of my samurai has just received news that his wife has given him a healthy son. I intend to celebrate that occasion with my household. There is nothing inappropriate in that." He added. "Everybody will be present. And perhaps we could talk a little more?"
"I will be honoured, My Lord." She bowed in thanks. After almost two days of solitude she would agree to anything.
"Would you like to change into something less... unorthodox?" His tone suggested that it would be appropriate.
"My Lord, you forget that my kimono was damaged."
"Ah, that is not a difficulty. I am quite sure the servants will find you something suitable among my wife's clothes..." He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realising how that might sound to her.
It surprised her. Obviously he took into account her feelings regarding her status in his house. Maybe there is still hope for you?! She thought with amusement.
"My Lord, it is a very generous offer. But," She was very carefully choosing her words. "Couldn't this be misunderstood?"
He instantly caught her meaning. Her concern wasn't only for her. It was also for his position and how it could look to others if she wore his late wife's clothes.
"Ana-San." He inclined his head in thanks. He was obviously impressed by her thoughtfulness. "These clothes, as indeed everything in this house, belong to me. Narumi died many years ago and I don't see any reason to be reproached for offering you one of her kimonos."
"Thank you, My Lord." She smiled. How is it that he always knows what I'm thinking? She mused. "I will be ready as soon as possible." She bowed.
"Oh, do not concern yourself with the time. We will not start without you. Our highly valued guest."
His face lit again with this mischievous grin. When he smiled like that, he looked so much younger. And she had to admit to herself that she liked it. He summoned the servant women and with an imperious face ordered that all the kimonos be presented to Anna for choosing and that she would be made ready for the banquet.
After that he bowed politely and left, still grinning.
Anna was astonished with the quality and the sheer number of the garments that were spread out in front of her. Lord Takeda must have been a generous husband. But she was already guessing that for herself. He definitely liked sharing his things.
After a long search Anna finally chose a kimono which seemed to her the least ostentatious. It was dark blue, with a dragon stitched on the back and on the sleeves. The servants helped her to dress, looking at her with a renewed interest. The Lord offered her all the clothes of his late wife, although they didn't seem to share a bed. Furthermore, Anna talked to him like to an equal, which was unheard of. And he obviously didn't mind.
One of the girls was pinning Anna's long hair. "Ana-San, you have such beautiful hair. Are all Gai-Jin women fair-haired?" She asked a little timidly.
"No." She smiled. "Most foreigners are dark-haired. But my father was from the far north and his people are generally fair."
"From the north?" She opened her eyes wide. "Like Lord Takeda?"
"Even further. In my father's country the winters are very harsh and nights very long..."
Mentioning her father, caused her pain again. Despite the many years since his death she couldn't stop missing him. And coming to Japan had only brought the memories closer to the surface.
She breathed deeply trying to calm down and to control the pain rising in her chest.
The girl noticed that Anna's mood suddenly changed, but naturally couldn't guess why. After a moment she asked again, emboldened by the woman's kindness. "Ana-San, do you not miss your family and home?"
"I have no home." Anna's eyes were full of sadness. "And no family. I am alone in this world... But I do what I want." Her tone changed. "And I decide about my own fate!"
This was definitely more than the girl was able to understand. But perhaps that was the reason why the Gai-Jin woman was so at ease with their Lord. She was like a man.
When Anna was ready, one of the servants led her to the great hall. On entering she realised her host had been telling the truth and the whole household was indeed gathered there.
When she entered and bowed to the Lord, everybody suddenly fell silent. Lord Takeda smiled and rose from his place. He beckoned her closer and as she approached he led her to the dais. He motioned her to a cushion on his left and sat down himself. The place on his right remained empty.
"My Lady, it is an honour to entertain you at my house." He spoke loudly. "I am glad you have been able to join us in these celebrations."
"Takeda-Sama." She bowed low. "It is I who is honoured by your hospitality. I would also like to congratulate your samurai."
Hearing that, one of the men bowed to her. She recognised him to be Harada, the commander of her guard from a few days ago. "Harada-San, may your son grow strong and healthy, to be in the future as brave as his father." She smiled warmly, observing a true happiness on the samurai's face.
"ArigatÅ, Ana-San." He bowed again.
The host nodded and the food was brought in. It was generally taken as a permission to engage in the private conversations and the hall was filled with noise. This in turn gave the Lord the opportunity to talk privately to his guest.
"Ana-San, I am glad you decided to join us." He handed her a bowl with some liquid.
She sniffed at it. "Saké?... Why, My Lord, I hope you are not trying to take advantage of a defenceless woman?!" She grinned with a challenge.
"Would it work?" His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I don't think so. I can drain whisky like water. I just don't like the taste of sakè."
He gave orders to his attendant and after a few minutes there was an identical bowl placed in front of Anna, but filled with water.
They were eating sparingly, exchanging only unimportant remarks regarding weather and some of the Lord's servants.
After the meal the Lord rose and helped Anna up. He encouraged his people to stay and celebrate the happy event and then led Anna outside, onto the veranda. They sat down on the prepared cushions and were served tea.
In front of them there was a beautiful garden in full bloom. Anna remembered that it was one of the Lord's passions. Yet it seemed suddenly strange to her that the residence was so well kept.
"Do you spend a lot of your time in here, My Lord? Both the house and the gardens look very well tended."
"Not really. I come here maybe once a year, when I have to visit Edo. I've known Lord Matsuda for many years and I always try to visit him." He looked around with the pleasure of a true connoisseur. "I like to surround myself with beauty..." He gazed at her. "This colour suits you, Ana-San. I can see now that blue must be your favourite shade."
"Indeed, My Lord. It is the colour of the sea and of the sky." She added quietly. She relaxed and resting on her cushions gazed at the starry sky. Without any problems she located the constellations that her father had been teaching her to recognise from her earliest childhood.
She suddenly shivered and sat up straight. The memory of her father came again with a great strength. She couldn't understand why it hurt so much.
The Lord noticed a change in her, but not knowing its reason, he became very alert himself. He looked carefully around, but they were surrounded only with peace and tranquillity. "Ana-San, is everything in order? Has something startled you? Are you cold?"
"No, My Lord. It's nothing." She tried to compose herself. "I have just remembered something... It is nothing."
"Are you sure?" There was worry and compassion in his eyes.
"It's nothing!" She repeated stubbornly. Her voice hard.
She could see in his face the concern and willingness to help her. He wished she could trust him and share her burden, but she wasn't ready to do that just yet.
"My Lord, I am very grateful for your company and the conversation." She bowed low. "But obviously I am still weak after my injury and I should rest... Please forgive me."
Without another word he got up and helped her to rise. He walked her to the door of her rooms, bowed and wishing her a good night, he walked away.