the way he looked at her that told her he did not approve of her any more than she approved of him. She’d seen that haughty look of contempt before on men who’d made the mistake of showing their displeasure toward their betters.
“I again ask you to reconsider your leaving China, Princess,” he said. “Go to your father in Kalgan. Everything can be safely arranged for you.”
“No, that I will not do.”
His face darkened. “I can only remind you that it would be most unfortunate if you fell into the hands of the Empress.”
“I am already a prisoner here and would be in no better circumstances with either my father or the Empress. I have every intention of reaching Shanghai harbor and boarding a ship bound for America.”
“Your father will be most disappointed in your decision to leave.”
She wanted suddenly to be alone with her thoughts, and the way Sun Yat-sen was watching her annoyed her. Again she reached for her money purse and handed him two yuan. “I insist you take this for your trouble, Dr. Sun.”
She dropped the money into his palm, ignoring the disdainful look he gave her. “Thank you for coming, Doctor. Now, please excuse me.” She turned, picked up Adam again, who had been playing quietly with a set of wooden animals, and walked into the alcove. She did not turn until she heard the door close behind the doctor.
She let out the breath she’d been holding. A minute later there was a tap on the door. Certain the doctor had come back, she went to the door and yanked it open, still holding Adam tight in her arms.
Eddie Wells’ eyebrows went up. “You look mad enough to bite a snake. Is anything the matter, honey?”
She let her shoulders sag. “I’m sorry, Eddie. Come in. I thought the doctor had come back.”
“He angered you, obviously.” He glanced at Adam. “The boy’s all right, isn’t he?”
“Perfectly all right. It’s just that the man upset me.” She told him of the message from her father.
“You won’t have to bother much about him after this afternoon. He’s arranged for bearers to take him to Tsingtao. From there he takes a packet across the Yellow Sea to Korea and, according to his declared itinerary, he expects to cross into Japan.”
“He told me he is going to Hawaii. From the route you describe he is in a rather large hurry to leave China. I suspected him of being a spy for the Empress; obviously, I was wrong. He seems too anxious to leave here.”
“Well, as long as little Adam is hale and hearty that’s all that matters. I think my plan for getting us to Shanghai with the Marine contingent is going to work.”
“I hope so, Eddie,” she said without much enthusiasm. There had been too many disappointments for her to become overly optimistic about another prospect.
“Trust me,” he said gaily. “Now.” He tilted her face up to his. “How would you like to go to a party tonight?”
Her heart leapt. “A party?” Her eyes went bright with excitement. “Where?”
“The British Ministry. Claude MacDonald has finally asked to be sent home. The gang decided on the spur of the moment to give him and his Lady a proper send off. It’s been rather hastily thrown together, but I was expressly asked to bring you.”
April had always liked the old Scotsman who headed the British legation, though almost fifteen years ago when she’d first laid eyes on Claude MacDonald she’d been frightened of his fierce moustache and flint-gray eyes.
“I’d love it,” she gushed. She looked at little Adam. “But perhaps I shouldn’t. Adam’s fever may get worse.”
“I’ll have the housekeeper sit with him. And we’ll be just across the compound if anything should happen.”
April hesitated. “Yes, I suppose he’ll be all right and it has been oh-so-long since I’ve been to a proper party.”
“Wear something that will knock their eyes out. I want every woman there to be pea-green with envy.”
April cocked an eye. “I needn’t 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.”
