Page 16 of The Cinders

Marquess Tian stepped down from the dais, slapping his hands together in anticipation of a night filled with indulgence, gesturing to Official Park to follow, falling into conversation with the man as they left the Reception Hall.The marchioness and Lady Tian rose, their attendants assembling to assist them off the dais, fussing with their gowns when that was done.Marchioness Shen spoke to her daughter, who nodded, glancing Xian’s way with another of her waspish smiles, before following her father with an arrogant tilt to her chin, and notable sway to her hips.

Xian’s racing heart stuttered.Was this a punishment for his faltered step?To be left here, like a thief in the stocks in the centre of a courtyard.

The audience filed out, in order of rank and importance.Xian watched from beneath lowered lashes while they regarded him as they passed by.Some did so with a certain amount of awe and wonderment; others were less kind, with looks of startled fascination and unconcealed curiosity.

‘Is the prince available for a private dance, do you suppose?’

‘At the right price, I’m certain the Governor could be convinced.’

‘Careful though, there is magic for certain in his steps.Did you ever feel so hypnotised as when you watched him?’

‘Hypnotised was not all I felt.’A dark chuckle accompanied the ribald comment.‘Hips of a woman, that boy.’

More laughter joined the speaker’s own, chilling Xian’s warm flesh.

‘How terrible is he beneath those robes, do you wonder?’

‘I’d rather not think on it.’

Xian closed his eyes, taking in the sounds of the emptying room; the twang of an instrument as it was shifted, the patter of feet as the last of the attendants followed their mistress or master.

Leaving him behind.A fate not so terrible, really.Nor unexpected.The marchioness knew him awkward company; not well-versed in small talk and flattery, certainly not knowledgeable on the political and economic nuances of the Middle Kingdom as she was.

The soft scrape of fabric against the floor had Xian opening his eyes, raising his head.He had not been abandoned, but as he watched the figures approach, he wished he had been.

CHAPTER SIX

MARCHIONESS SHENapproached with the captain from Manhao beside her, his broad frame overshadowing her own sturdy build.

‘So, Captain Duan,’ she said in her haughty tone.‘Did the prince’s dance please you?’

‘His talent is considerable, you were right in speaking so highly of his…abilities.’The man had a voice as imposing as his body.The sort Xian imagined would have had his soldiers quaking when he held military command.‘I have little interest in music and dance myself, but even I found it difficult to take my eyes from him.’

They were close now, their shadows casting from the lanterns that had been lit in anticipation of the evening’s arrival.

‘And what of your master?I hope Sub-Prefect Keng shares a greater love of entertainment, or there seems no point in sending this gift to him.’

The captain’s laughter was like trees falling in the woods; each note crashed hard.‘Oh, he enjoys every kind of entertainment there is.And even if he does not favour dance, there is much of your gift he will be very pleased with.You know my master hungers for treasures rare and dangerous to own.’

Xian trembled where he sat surrounded by his russet gown; as though drowning in the Red River.

‘Indeed.But I know it is the West and its curiosities he covets most.I hope my offering sates his appetites.’

‘Mandarin Feng will be well pleased, you have my word on that.He trusts my appraisals.’There was a pause, and Xian was covered entirely by the captain’s shadow.‘And I like what I see.’

Fixing his gaze to the ground, Xian made no sound, not even to offer greetings to the pair as he should have done.He could not have spoken even if he’d wished to, his throat too dry.

‘MandarinFeng?’Marchioness Shen sniffed.‘The Sub-Prefect still insists on using the title those foreign devils bestowed on him?’

‘He thinks highly of those devils,’ the captain replied, ‘as he does their trade and their eagerness to do business.’

‘I suppose it sounds more grand than Sub-Prefect Feng.’

‘It certainly does.’The captain chuckled.‘And he has grand designs for Manhao.’

‘As I do for Kunming and our ambitions favour each of our great cities.We are very suitable company, your master and I.’

‘Both are superbly talented at, shall we say, very delicate negotiations.’