of inscrutability. But this day her emotions were incapable of being contained. She had been so distracted during her French lesson, her tutor had given up in despair. When Aunt Lily had sent her to the docks with Cook to purchase fresh fish, her feet had fairly flown along the streets. When she’d returned and found her father and mother still in their rooms, she had sulked and refused her lunch, even though it was her favorite—spiced chicken and rice.
Now, having been assured by her father that they would spend some time together, she was desperate for the hours to fly by.
Even her tutor’s promise of a boat ride on the bay failed to elicit the excitement Jade usually felt. When they returned, Jade’s cheeks were abloom, her eyes alight with anticipation.
In her room she found her parents waiting. Both Onyx and Ahn Lin wore identical looks of flushed pleasure.
Jade rushed into her father’s arms. “I have missed you. You have been away too long.”
“I know. Am I forgiven?”
She absorbed his quiet strength, his easy affection, and felt her heart soar with love.
“Why don’t you open your gifts?” He turned her toward the bed, piled high with beribboned boxes.
With a laugh of delight she tore into the packages, to reveal elegant gowns, bonnets and parasols from New York, Paris and London. There were soaps in the shape of roses and violets. There were shoes made of calfskin, satin and fur.. There was a hooded floor-length cape of raw silk, lined with ermine, for those days when the cold winds blew in from the bay.
With each gift, Jade’s eyes grew bigger, her sighs softer. And after admiring each gift, she rushed to her father with another kiss.
“I thought you might wear this tonight,” he said casually as he offered her yet another parcel.
She lifted the lid to reveal a traditional Chinese gown of bright green silk with a mandarin collar and frog fasteners.
“Oh, Father, I have no words. It is so beautiful.”
“No more than you. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman, Jade,” Onyx said softly. “Almost as beautiful as your mother.”
It was the highest compliment he could have paid her, and Jade felt her throat constrict.
“I’d like you and your mother to join me downstairs for a special birthday dinner,” he said.
Downstairs. With the guests. It was a rare occasion indeed. “Thank you, honorable Father.” Jade glanced shyly at her mother and saw that she, too, was surprised. Though Jade had grown up in this business, she was kept apart from it. “I would like that.”
“Good. Your mother and I will go now. Join us when you’re ready.”
Onyx caught Ahn Lin’s hand and the two strolled from the room.
When she was alone, Jade danced around and around, pausing only long enough to examine each of her gifts again. Then, when a maid arrived to help her dress, she felt the smooth slide of silk against her flesh. Her waist-length hair was brushed until it gleamed. The maid secured it with jeweled combs and draped it over Jade’s shoulder, allowing it to spill across one breast.
When Jade examined herself in the looking glass, she caught her breath. She looked different somehow. Older, maybe. Or was it only her imagination?
Laughing, she danced from the room and down the stairs to join her parents. Finding the private dining room empty, she hurried into the more public rooms. There the air was scented with French perfume, incense and the rich sting of cigars. There was the deep rumble of male voices and the higher trill of feminine laughter. Glasses clinked. In the background music played softly. A lute, a violin, a piano. All carefully calculated to soothe away the cares of the outside world.
Jade stepped through the doorway into yet another room. Several men sat around a table holding cards. A woman in a shimmering, low-cut gown held the deck, dealing slowly.
As Jade watched the players, one man’s head came up and his gaze locked on her. For the space of a heartbeat she couldn’t move.
He was not dressed like the others, in the garb of a gentleman, but rather in the rough garments of the trail. There was an aura of danger about him. Except for a tattered cowhide jacket, he was all in black. Black shirt and vest over black trousers tucked into black boots. He wore a wide-brimmed black hat from which streamed a lion’s mane of golden hair. His bearded face was in shadow. It was obvious that he had been on the move, and hadn’t taken time to shave. A stubbly growth of dull red-blond hair covered his cheeks and chin, masking his features. But she saw his lips, full and sensuous, curve into a lazy smile. And saw his eyes gleam like a cat’s. Smoke curled from a cigar in his hand. On his finger was a ring of twisted gold, with an amber stone that caught and reflected the light of hundreds of candles massed on the mantel. From the pile of chips in front of him, it was obvious that he was winning.
Jade had grown up in a house that catered to such men. None had ever affected her. But standing here, feeling his gaze on her, she couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe. He was the most arresting, fascinating man she’d ever seen.
“Here you are. Cook has prepared a special dinner.” Onyx, with Ahn Lin beside him, halted next to his daughter. “We’re eating in that little alcove.” He offered his arm, and Jade moved along at his side until they reached their table.
All through dinner she could feel the stranger’s eyes watching her. Even when he seemed engrossed in the cards, she could feel his attention wandering to her. And though she didn’t know why, she felt strangely exhilarated. Deliciously wicked.
When a servant brought tea and special little cakes with candles, Jade closed her eyes and made a wish, then blew out the candles.
“What did you wish for?” Ahn Lin asked gently.
Jade felt her cheeks grow hot.
“If she tells, she won’t get her wish,” her father admonished.
Grateful for his words, Jade expelled her breath in a long sigh. For in truth she had wished for something… someone… dangerous. Someone forbidden to her. Never before had she entertained such thoughts. And she knew she had no right to them. Not now. Perhaps not ever.
Onyx reached into his pocket. “I have one more gift for you, Jade.” He removed a small jeweler’s case. Lifting the lid, he said, “I want you to wear this always.” He held up a gold rope on which rested two magnificent stones. One was black, the other green. “The black stone is onyx. The green is jade,” he explained. “They represent the two of us.”
Jade felt tears sting her eyes as her father placed it around her neck and fastened it. Sharing her emotion, he kissed both of her cheeks, then caught her hands in his and stared deeply into her eyes. “I can’t always be the father I’d like to be. But know this, my darling. No matter what, I will always be with you. Even after I leave this world, I’ll move heaven and earth to watch out for you.”
“Oh, Father…” She was so touched, words failed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely.
“I’m glad you like my present. I—” When Onyx felt a hand on his arm he straightened and looked up.
“It isn’t
