The Jade Lioness

  Titles in the Kumashiro series:

  The Scarlet Kimono

  The Gilded Fan

  The Jade Lioness

  Copyright © 2015 Christina Courtenay

  Published 2015 by Choc Lit Limited

  Penrose House, Crawley Drive, Camberley, Surrey GU15 2AB, UK

  www.choc-lit.com

  The right of Christina Courtenay to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

  All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the UK such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1P 9HE

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available

  from the British Library

  EPUB ISBN 978-1-78189-238-1

  MOBI ISBN 978-1-78189-239-8

  To the Romantic Novelists’ Association

  and all my RNA friends

  Contents

  Shadows from the Past series

  Title page

  Copyright information

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  More Choc Lit

  Introducing Choc Lit

  Acknowledgements

  This book was partly inspired by the time I spent in Japan as a teenager and the wonderful people I met there, in particular my fellow pupils at the American School in Japan (ASIJ). Some of them, as well as one of my teachers, Mr Jose Luis Velasco (the best Spanish teacher ever!) have stayed in touch through the years, which is wonderful since our shared experiences in Tokyo were unique and unforgettable. I would like to thank them all for their friendship and support, especially Anna Rambäck (who helped me enormously when I first got to Tokyo), Margie Miciano, the ‘Gai-jin Bosozoku’ gang (you know who you are), and in the case of Jacqueline Oishi Tapper (now my sister-in-law), James Wade and Nozomi Shinoda-Wade, thanks also for help with Japanese words and phrases. I do hope I’ve got it right now!

  Huge thanks, as always, to the wonderful Choc Lit team and Choc Lit authors, and special thanks to the Tasting Panel members (Jennifer S, Rosie, Claire W, Megan, Sarah H, Jennie A, Jennifer S, Betty, Adele, Izzy and Betty C) for liking this novel – that always gives me confidence and makes me feel I’m on the right track!

  Thank you to my writing buddies and my lovely family for always being there – love you all!

  Chapter One

  Dejima Island, Nagasaki, Southern Japan, 1648

  Sitting in the shade on a small balcony overlooking the bay of Nagasaki, Temperance Marston watched her surroundings through half-closed eyelids. The blazing sun sent piercing shards of light bouncing off the water like the flashing of a lustrous diamond, making it impossible to do anything other than squint. And although the stifling heat of the August afternoon distorted the view into a shimmering haze, it was mesmerising nonetheless.

  She ought to have been resting on her futon, but the air indoors was even more oppressive and her mind, as always, was too alert. She shifted slightly and sighed. The sea breeze didn’t make the tiniest bit of difference. Her young servant, Akio, who sat a few feet away from her, looked up and commented, ‘Very hot today, neh?’

  ‘Indeed. I feel like the air is strangling me.’ In fact, the humid air around Temperance seemed an almost tangible entity, its moist fingers invading every pore and causing perspiration to soak her clothing at the slightest move.

  ‘Nan desu ka?’ Akio frowned. His English was improving each day, but such abstract descriptions were as yet beyond his understanding. Temperance could have repeated the sentence in Japanese, as her linguistic skills were much better than those of her servant, but officially she wasn’t supposed to understand or speak the native language at all, so she kept quiet. Instead she told him to go and rest if he wanted to.

  ‘I don’t have any tasks for you at the moment. I’ll call for you later.’

  ‘Hai, Marston-san.’ Akio didn’t need much persuading and took himself off.

  Temperance was glad to be alone. Here in Japan she played a dangerous game, having to pretend to be a boy at all times since foreign women weren’t allowed. Although Akio wasn’t the most observant of youths, the only time she could truly relax was when no one else was around. After a year of acting the part it came naturally to her, but she was always afraid she might slip up. Slouching in her seat now, she put her breeches-clad legs up on a small table, rather than sitting upright like a lady. She smiled to herself – there were definite advantages to being a boy, but she’d better not become too used to them as, sooner or later, she’d have to go back to England and resume being a woman.

  Across the harbour, on the mainland of Japan, there was constant movement despite the sweltering conditions. In a bid to distract herself from the discomfort, Temperance surveyed the comings and goings of the port and the surrounding coastline. From her vantage point she had an excellent view and there was always something of interest to gaze upon. Today was no exception.

  Sailing vessels of every kind cluttered the bay, with two large foreign ships looking incongruous among the smaller native ones, their rounded bulk so different to the angular shape of all the rest. Tiny rowboats flitted between them in a never-ending stream, their crews seemingly risking life and limb, but so nimble and quick there were never any accidents. Chinese junks, with their colourful sails, vied for space with the similar-looking, but more subdued, Japanese vessels. There was shouting in all manner of languages flying through the air, which Temperance tried, and failed, to interpret.

  She’d been told that Nagasaki’s natural harbour, in the deep but narrow bay at the mouth of the Urakami river, was perfect for ships of any size. Here Dutch traders were allowed a precarious foothold on the tiny island of Dejima, while the Chinese had established a thriving business community in the town itself. Temperance had arrived on one of the Dutch ships the previous year and she could still remember the excitement of that day.

  ‘I can’t believe we’re here at last!’ She’d laughed, celebrating with the rest of the passengers and crew. Having sailed halfway across the world – from Plymouth in England via Amsterdam, Africa and the Spice Islands – she had been ecstatic at the thought of arriving at their destination at last and hardly noticed the debilitating heat as she stood by the rail
ing, taking in the scene around her. The different climate was just part of the adventure then, something new to experience. Stepping ashore on Dejima, she’d felt like the luckiest person in the world …

  ‘All alone, young Marston? Is that wise?’

  She was jerked out of her reverie by a familiar, but unwelcome, voice. Pieter Haag, an employee of the Dutch East India Company just like herself, had appeared next to her on the balcony, seemingly out of nowhere. Of late, he’d developed an uncanny ability to waylay her at every opportunity and it annoyed her, especially since she went out of her way to avoid him. There was something unwholesome about him, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on, which made her want to run and hide, but of course she didn’t. That would have been both impolite and absurd.

  ‘Mijnheer Haag.’ She acknowledged his presence with a slight nod and took her feet off the table. His English was accented, but otherwise good. Most of the foreigners on Dejima spoke Dutch – and indeed were supposed to be Dutch citizens – but Temperance hadn’t yet become proficient in that language. She’d been more interested in learning Japanese. ‘Why shouldn’t I be by myself?’ As a boy, she didn’t need a chaperone so she had no idea what Haag meant.

  Without asking permission he sat down beside her on the small bench. Temperance sidled as far away from him as possible.

  ‘No reason … if you really were who you’re pretending to be.’

  Haag smirked and Temperance stifled a gasp. Surely he couldn’t mean …? But his next words made her heart leap into her throat.

  ‘Mistress Marston, I’ve seen through your disguise.’

  Temperance was stunned into momentary silence, paralysed with shock. No one had called her ‘mistress’ for a long time and she had thought she’d fooled everyone on the island with her male clothing and mannerisms. How had he found out? She tried to stop the panic from rising inside her and scowled at him. Short of ripping her clothes off, he couldn’t prove anything. Perhaps he was just guessing? She’d have to call his bluff. ‘What are you talking about? Have you been out in the sun too much? I’m a—’

  ‘Don’t!’ One word uttered in a harsh, uncompromising voice which made Temperance’s stomach turn to icy knots of fear. ‘I know you’re a female so there’s no point denying it. For the sake of keeping you here, we’ll have to go on pretending you’re a boy. We don’t want anyone else to know, after all. Trust me, your secret is safe with me … as long as you do as I say, of course.’ Another smug smile, which made Temperance long to smash her fist into his mouth or, at the very least, box his ears.

  She glared at him. She’d known it was a possibility that someone would unmask her, but she’d never dreamed it would be in this way – furtive and accompanied by an implied threat. ‘And what exactly is that?’ she asked, trying to keep her temper under control. It was vital to stay calm and rational if she was to extricate herself from this. She would need all her wits about her.

  ‘You’re going to become my wife, in secret of course, then once we’re married you can just agree to share my quarters and no one will be any the wiser. After all, some of the other men share accommodation.’

  This time Temperance did gasp, she couldn’t help it. ‘I don’t wish to live with you, mijnheer.’ She refrained from saying the word ‘marry’ as that would imply she admitted being a woman, which she hadn’t as yet.

  Haag smiled again, but it was the smile of a predator who has well and truly cornered his prey – gloating, victorious. ‘I’m sorry, did I not make myself clear? Your wishes don’t come into it. Unless you’d like the Japanese authorities to find out about your little deception? I hear they can be quite cruel to those who break their laws.’

  Temperance gritted her teeth and swallowed the sharp retort that rose to her lips. She needed to discuss this with Nico Noordholt, her step-cousin and temporary guardian who was also the man in charge of the Dutch Factory here. He had agreed to her coming, albeit against his better judgement.

  But as if he’d read her mind, Haag gripped her wrist with hard fingers. ‘Don’t even think of running to the Chief Factor. He won’t be able to help you. Consider the position you’d be placing him in – the Japanese will see him as dishonourable since he’s responsible for bringing you here and then they’ll refuse to do business with him. He’ll be sent home in disgrace, his career in tatters. Is that what you want?’

  Temperance tried to wrest her arm away from his grip, but he held on tight, his fingers digging into her flesh, hurting her. Hateful man. There was nothing very wrong with either his looks, which were fairly ordinary, or his birth, since he came from a noble family, but she simply couldn’t imagine ever being married to him, letting him touch her and have the right to bed her every night. She shuddered at the thought. The truth was he made her skin crawl.

  He laughed at her puny efforts to free herself. Finally, he let go. ‘I can see you need a little time to get used to the idea,’ he said. ‘Fair enough, but I shall expect your favourable reply very soon. You have two weeks, not a moment more.’ He rose, as if about to go, then stopped and turned to her again. ‘I do hope you have a sizeable dowry, seeing as you come from a rich merchant family? It will make the match so much more palatable to my relatives when I inform them of it. After all, I’m the eldest son and I can’t be expected to marry just anyone. Though they won’t be best pleased I’ve chosen an Englishwoman.’ With that, he gave her an ironic bow and left.

  Temperance could only stare after him. The sheer effrontery … Words failed her and her mind was in a whirl. There was a rumour going round that Pieter Haag was in dire need of funds, having spent every last penny of his salary on the courtesans that often came to entertain the foreigners. But to imply that his family would only accept her on the grounds of what she could bring in the way of a dowry? That was low. Still, it was the least of her problems.

  He’d been right – how could she tell Nico about this without ruining his career, his life? And not just his, but his wife Midori’s as well. Midori was Temperance’s cousin too and the person she loved most in the world, apart from her brother, Daniel. She simply couldn’t hurt her this way, even though they’d all discussed what they would do in the event Temperance was ever unmasked.

  ‘We will all just leave,’ Nico had stated. ‘I can always go back to being a sea captain. I have enough money to buy my own ship now.’

  They were bold words, and no doubt he’d meant them at the time, but Temperance knew he loved being the Chief Factor of Dejima, loved Japan and enjoyed trading here immensely. No matter what he’d said, he would be devastated to have to leave and in disgrace no less.

  She groaned out loud. ‘Damn Haag!’ He wasn’t used to being thwarted, that much she knew, and she believed he really would carry out his threat if she didn’t comply with his demands. She rubbed at the arm he had touched as if trying to erase the memory of him, but it was impossible. What on earth should she do?

  She’d rather die than marry him, but this wasn’t just about her, she had Midori and Nico to think about too. It would seem she was well and truly trapped.

  Chapter Two

  Temperance cast a longing glance towards the sparkling sea. How she wished she could throw herself into its cool waves. Then she could wash away the mere thought of the repulsive Mr Haag and the imaginary stain of his touch.

  How had he found out? Had he been spying on her? He must have done since the only two people who knew would never betray her.

  She’d been so careful, only undressing when she was alone and insisting on taking her baths by herself without help from Akio. She wore men’s clothing at all times – breeches, hose, shoes and an oversized shirt and roomy waistcoat. Although she had womanly curves, they were well hidden, and her blonde hair had been cut to just below her shoulder blades and kept in a simple queue. Nico had said she made a very credible, if pretty, boy.

  During the voyage, Nico had given her lessons. She’d improved her reading and writing skills, and learned how to keep acc
ounts. From the moment they’d arrived, Temperance had acted as a junior clerk and assistant, working alongside Nico for the most part, and no one had questioned her work since she’d proved to have an aptitude for it. To her surprise, she also enjoyed it immensely.

  So what had given her away to Haag? Presumably he’d tell her after they were married, but by then it would be too late. Perhaps he had bribed Akio and spied on her by opening her door a crack when she was taking a bath? She wouldn’t put it past him.

  ‘The utter bastard,’ she muttered.

  Restless, she paced the wooden boards while staring across to the mainland once more. Only seven years before, in 1641, all foreigners except the Dutch had been expelled from Japan on the orders of its ruler, the powerful Shogun. It was a minor miracle that he had allowed this one nation to continue their trading. However, his permission had come at a price – seclusion.

  There were no two ways about it, Temperance and the other foreigners were virtual prisoners here on Dejima island and today it felt more like a gaol than ever. It wasn’t just its size – a mere one hundred and thirty by eighty-odd yards – but also the fact that the only way onto the mainland was through a gate and across a small bridge, which was guarded at all times. Neither Temperance nor anyone else would dare to even attempt to cross it. All they’d get for their trouble was a rebuke from the stern guard who was posted there day and night. The only thing she could do was to observe from afar, while frustration built inside her.

  She itched to go across and explore the winding streets leading up the hillsides that ringed the bay. Wooden houses with shoji windows and sliding doors – some with thatched roofs, some with tiled ones – climbed in tiers up the steep slopes. They gave the whole an air of orderly chaos that was charming and exotic at the same time. The tip-tilted corners of most of the buildings added local flavour, as did the flashes of bright red from some of the temples. Around the town were heavily wooded areas, a lush green now that the summer rains came frequently. Temperance could detect the scent of pine borne across to her by the wind, but she couldn’t wander in the shade of those trees.