The Sins of Nightsong. V. J. Banis

remind you that those ladies do not approve of your attentions to me. I am not deaf to gossip, you know.”

      “Who cares? They object because there isn’t a one of them who wouldn’t pay the devil for your youth and beauty.”

      “But not for my Chinese blood,” she chided.

      “Even that, if they came out looking like you.” He grew serious. “You’re the most exquisite creature I have ever seen, April. Are you certain you won’t change your mind and come with me all the way to Washington?”

      “We’ve spoken of this before, Eddie.” She put Adam aside. “We would both be in each other’s way once we got to America.”

      “I know,” he admitted good-naturedly, “but I’d love to put my old dad in a tizzy by bringing you home with me.”

      April laughed. “You’d give him a heart attack.”

      Eddie shrugged.

      “You’re horrible.” She patted his chest. “Now get out of here. If you want me to be ravishing, I will have to sort through my wardrobe for just the right dress. And for a woman, that may take the remainder of the day.”

      She chose the yellow silk with the elaborately embroidered chrysanthemums that cascaded from her shoulder to the hem of the train. She braided the strands of pearls into her shimmering black hair, and was not displeased with her efforts when she looked at her reflection in the full-length glass.

      “Fantastic,” Eddie gushed when she came down the stairs. He offered her his arm and leaned close. “Maybe we should have the party in my room,” he said with a wicked wink.

      “If you behave yourself, that might be agreeable but not until later. I’m in the mood for laughing and dancing.”

      They started toward the British legation, ignoring the coolness of the night. They didn’t have far to go to reach it, a rambling building set in seven acres and housing the chancery as well. The legation district as a whole was a world within a world, which never failed to impress April, though she longed to be away from it. There was a large orange moon, white rimmed; April pulled her silk shawl about her shoulders and snuggled against Eddie.

      “I know we are something of a scandal here,” she said as they walked along.

      “The sad part of it all is that they will have nothing to gossip about once you and I are out of here next week.”

      “You think our chances of escape are that good this time?”

      “Good? They are better than they ever were. I’ve started thinking the way these slanty-eyed devils—” He glanced at her and stammered, remembering she herself was Oriental. “—These Chinese think,” he said catching his slip. “We’ll not be detected by the Empress’s men this time.”

      “When do we leave?”

      “Tuesday next.”

      They entered the grounds of the British legation where a cluster of dancers on the tennis court danced to the music of a Chinese band playing western tunes. Paper lanterns swayed unevenly in the tree branches, champagne corks popped, glasses clinked. Everyone was smiling, talking, laughing.

      Eddie escorted April up the steps and across the wide Victorian veranda. Sir Claude MacDonald, the British minister, greeted them warmly and even embraced April, causing several of the ladies to frown in disapproval.

      “April, my dear girl. I’m so pleased you could come on such short notice. Of course,” he added with a laugh, “I’m surprised anyone of us came on such short notice. The boys did a bang-up job, don’t you think?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. Sir Claude never waited for anyone. “You look enchanting; positively enchanting,” he said, offering his arm. “Come along and let me get you some refreshments. Mr. Wells can well look after himself.”

      The crowd in the room parted, making an aisle for them. April saw the depreciative looks that she preferred to interpret as envy. She held herself aloof, unbending, reminding them all that she was of royal blood.

      “I remember the first time I saw you, my girl, dressed like some ragged peasant.”

      “A disguise,” April was quick to remind him.

      “An American chap, I believe it was, who rescued you and your mother from an opium den or some such place. Wasn’t that it?”

      “We were hiding from the Empress.” She looked up at him. “I always seem to be hiding from Her Imperial Highness.”

      “Your mother?” Sir Claude asked. “She’s well?”

      “We have both been rather remiss about corresponding. Last I heard she was in excellent health and her enterprises were thriving.”

      “As beautiful as ever, I suspect. Beauty like hers and yours, my dear, always withstands the ravages of time.” He handed her a cup of punch. “A perfume factory, isn’t that your mother’s occupation now?”

      “Empress Cosmetics, Products Fit for Royalty,” April proclaimed grandly, then laughed. “She has made a handsome fortune from what she refers to as her misadventures in China.”

      Sir Claude rubbed the line of his jaw. “Yes, there was a bit of gossip about the bad blood between her and the old Dragon Empress.”

      “Mother builds dynasties on bad blood,” April said, her voice bitter and hard. She saw him look surprised at her caustic remark and smiled sweetly. “I’d like for you to ask me to dance, if that is permitted.”

      The old man laughed. “Like you, my dear, I was never very fond of conventions. Just like our Scottish lassies, you’ve got grit and spunk. I like that in a lass.” He took the punch cup from her hand. “If you are in a mood to dance with an old codger like me, then dance we shall, my girl.”

      Eddie strolled through the crowd, watching them move off. Again an aisle opened up for him, as if the others feared contamination from this brash American who obviously preferred Chinese women to decent Occidentals like himself.

      “Ah, Edward,” one of his friends from the American legation said, slapping Eddie on the back. “You’ve got more guts than I’ll ever have.” He moved his eyes toward April, dancing now with Sir Claude. “Look at the other men lifting up their noses and all the time we both know they’d give their eyeballs to bed her. What does that delicate little blossom see in the likes of you?”

      Eddie grinned. “Because we are both delicate little blossoms from the same tree, Phillip.” He lifted his cup. “You just never took the time to learn what a sweet, innocent fellow I really am.”

      His friend rolled his eyes. They both started to laugh.

      CHAPTER FOUR

      The cold rain started early Tuesday morning, just after dawn. April bundled Adam into his quilted coat and pulled the cap down over his ears. The boy’s eyes were bright with anticipation; his unmistakably American face looked eager and a bit defiant.

      She glanced around. The room was suddenly a friend she was seeing for the last time, a friend who’d been true in its fashion, a friend she felt she shouldn’t leave. Perhaps she shouldn’t go.

      She gave an impatient shrug as she finished packing Adam into his cocoon of clothes, reminding herself that she’d seen too much of these rooms. Besides, there was no time to stop and think, or worry about the dangers that might be waiting outside, or the fact that tomorrow might well never come for her.

      With a swift sweep of her hand she gathered up her essentials. Adam first, and then the cloth bag of jewels and money, which she slipped into the lining of her coat.

      Eddie had exacted his final payment last night and had told her to meet him at the storehouse next to the Marine barracks at seven o’clock. It was almost seven now. She picked up her reticule and without hesitating walked out, closing the door firmly behind her. This time she would make good her escape. She knew it.

      “Are