The China Bride

'Chinese come in several shades, none of them yellow,' Troth explained. 'My mother was from a part of China where people are very light skinned, and of course my father was Scottish.'

Since the ice had been broken, several of the younger women began asking Troth about her costume, cosmetics, and the lives of Chinese women. Enhancing one's appearance was a universal female interest. She also realized that language was the key to acceptance. Since she talked like one of them, the ladies soon began to forget her unusual appearance and spoke as if she were a proper Englishwoman. Or at least a Scot.

Kyle reappeared when Troth was sipping champagne and chatting with the duchess, who was not only as welcoming as Meriel, but apparently had a colorful past of her own. Troth wondered if they'd ever have a chance to become better acquainted. Probably not, to her regret.

To Kyle, the duchess said, 'You've improved the quality of Northamptonshire conversation with this young lady, Maxwell. Well done.'

He gave the older woman an affectionate smile. 'I thought you two would enjoy each other's company. May I take my wife away for a dance?'

'If you insist.' The duchess surveyed the room. 'Time I removed my husband from that group of bores and had a waltz myself.' With a friendly wave, she departed.

As they began to dance, Kyle said, 'Since the duchess likes you, you're well on the way to acceptance.' He smiled fondly. 'I fell madly in love with her when I was a schoolboy. She was very kind about my infatuation.'

Troth guessed that he'd always be a little in love with the duchess; she was that sort of woman. 'Is there something wrong? I saw that you left the ballroom.'

'My father wanted to speak to me before he retired.'

'He left his own reception?' Troth said as Kyle swung her around to avoid another couple. He really was a wonderful dancer.

'He had a flare-up of gout. It's a horribly painful inflammation of the joints, a big toe in my father's case. He's in his bedroom, swearing at his valet.'

Troth felt reluctant sympathy for the earl. 'My father sometimes suffered from gout. There's a simple Chinese treatment for it. Not a cure, but it might reduce the pain.'

'You'd help my father after the way he's treated you?'

'I want him to feel well enough to leave tomorrow, as he planned,' she said tartly.

Kyle smiled. 'That's a good reason. Shall I take you up to him?'

She nodded, and when the dance ended they slipped upstairs as the other guests went in to supper. In Wrexham's bedroom, his elderly valet hovered in a corner while the earl occupied a massive wing chair. His right foot was elevated on a cushioned stool and he was drinking a glass of spirits.

Kyle promptly removed his father's drinking glass and the decanter on the table next to him. 'Unless your physician has changed his advice, you're not allowed to drink this, especially when you're having an attack.'

'Give me that, you disrespectful pup!' Wrexham roared as he grabbed for the glass. He failed and fell back into his chair, his face shining with sweat. 'And why the devil did you bring her? '

'My father had gout. Tui Na, Chinese massage, usually helped him,' Troth explained.

'I'll be damned if I'll let you practice your heathen ways on me!'

'As you wish, my lord.' She bowed and started to withdraw.

'Wait.' Wrexham's voice stopped her. 'What would you do?'

The old dragon must be in dire straits to listen. 'Lines of energy run through the body. Pressing in the right places can change the energy flow and relieve pain, sometimes even cure a condition. But I'm not a trained healer, you understand. I simply know the specific techniques for gout.' She gestured at his right leg. 'I would press very hard on several spots on the inside of your ankle. With luck, the pain might be reduced.'

The earl shifted awkwardly in his chair. 'I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try. But you go back to our guests, Maxwell. Can't have both of us gone.'

Kyle gave Troth an encouraging glance as he left. She beckoned Wrexham's valet closer. 'Watch what I do. If this helps, you'll be able to do the same in the future.'

Nervous but game, the valet watched as Troth knelt and pressed her thumb hard on a spot inside the earl's ankle. The old man flinched, his fingers digging into the chair arms, but didn't ask her to stop.

Hoping she remembered the pressure points correctly, she set to work, quietly explaining what she was doing to the valet. When she'd done as much as she could, she got to her feet. 'Do you feel any better?'

Wrexham eyed her suspiciously. 'There's less pain, but that might have diminished anyway.'

'Quite possible,' she agreed. 'Good night, Lord Wrexham.'

Once more he halted her before she could leave the room. 'Actually, the pain has gone down quite a bit,' he said in a gruff voice. 'Why did you help?'

'It is a good Christian deed to help one's enemies.' She gave a glinting smile. 'And when one does, the enemy suffers remorse.'

Wrexham gave a bark of laughter. 'I can't believe I thought you were bland.'

'You never tried to know me, my lord.' She bowed, then withdrew, knowing that she'd earned some respect from the old dragon. Not that it mattered, for soon she would be gone. But she wouldn't mind if he suffered pangs of remorse for his behavior.

Despite her late night, Troth rose early the next morning to do her chi exercises. The air was misty with a chill that bit to the bone, so she had to move to stay warm.

She was starting her second form when Kyle appeared and silently began to copy her movements. She wasn't sure whether to be amused or irritated. 'You have a long way to go before mastering this, my lord,' she said dryly as she began the slow, sinuous pattern called 'cloud arms.'

'Which means I'd better take the opportunity to learn from the only expert in Britain.' He duplicated her graceful movements, wincing a little. 'I'm still sore from riding. Do you mind my joining your practices? I promise not to talk, though I'll understand if you prefer to be alone with the chi and the mist.'

She had been enjoying her solitude, yet his offer to leave made her realize that she enjoyed his company more. 'As you wish. By the way, how is Lord Wrexham?'

'Well enough to leave for London today.' Kyle grinned. 'You impressed him.'

Glad the old dragon wouldn't be around for her remaining time at Dornleigh, she resumed her tai chi routine. Kyle was quick, and he remembered his lessons from the trip to Hoshan. By the time she left Dornleigh, he'd be reasonably competent. The exercise would help restore his energy balance, which was still somewhat blocked.

Sliding into a meditative state, she half forgot his presence as she moved through faster and faster exercises. Then she saw him fold onto the damp turf, clutching his side. 'Kyle!' She spun around and dropped to her knees beside him, placing her hand on his forehead. 'Are you having a malaria attack? '

'Nothing so dramatic,' he panted, clutching his ribs with one hand. 'Just a stitch in my side from too much exertion. I'm in wretchedly poor condition, Troth.'

She sat back on her heels. 'Actually, you're quite lively for a dead man.'

'News of my death was greatly exaggerated.' Warily he straightened his torso. 'The worst thing about malaria, I think, is how long it takes to recover. I had my last attack somewhere around the Cape of Good Hope, but even months later, I'd lose if I wrestled a good-size puppy.'

'I could defeat you with both hands tied behind my back,' she agreed.

'Humiliating but true.' He lurched to his feet, wincing. 'I'd better stop for today before I have to be carried home on a hurdle.'

'I've done enough for one morning also.' The sun had burned off the mist, and the morning was acquiring some warmth, at least by the standards of a British spring. 'Until later then. I want to explore the gardens. With the rain, I've seen very little.'

He fell into step beside her as she started walking. 'Planning how to change them to improve the feng shui?'

'I doubt much can be done in the time I have left-a good garden must be shaped over many years. Perhaps something could be done with water, though. Waterfalls and pools are restful.'