The Samurai's Lady Read Free Page B

To have him catch her in a compromising position of undress was more than she could bear. She didn‟t hear the door slide open a few moments later. Fujito‟s bare feet made no sound on the tatami matting as he came to kneel beside her.
“Are you all right?” He asked gently. “I should have warned you. I‟m sorry.” The apology was for both the water and for barging in without identifying himself. “Oh yes.” She glared at him through her tears. “It‟s all very well saying you‟re sorry now, now that you‟ve embarrassed me to the heavens. All I want to do is go home.I never asked to be boiled like a lobster.”
He only just kept himself from chuckling, but couldn‟t stop a slow smile from tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Let me see.” When she pulled back he reminded hergently, “I‟m a doctor, remember?”
She allowed him to look at her reddened skin.
“I asked Michiko about the water.” He said rolling the sleeve of her kimono gently up past her elbow. “She assures me she didn‟t heat the water too hot.” There was a short pause as he examined her shoulders and then her legs.
“You will be fine in a few days. I‟ll make up a salve for you.” He rearranged her kimono. “I know it‟s difficult for you, Katsuko, Katharine.” He said more gently. “Everything is new and different and hard to get used to. Our bodies are accustomed tothe hot water from childhood so of course I didn‟t think that you would be hurt by it.Please forgive me?”
His humble request took her by surprise.“Yes, of course.”
“ Come and have some tea. It will make you feel better.” He smiled. Unexpectedly he leaned forward and hooked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. His finger just brushed her cheek. It felt like a flame had scorched her skin. The following morning Fujito told her to follow him outside for her first lesson in Japanese.
“I feel as if every piece of skin I have has been burned to a cinder.” She complained kneeling awkwardly.
“I noticed you were moving a little stiffly this morning.” He agreed, smiling. “Why don‟t you sit comfortably for you and forget convention this morning?” He suggested kindly. She accepted with relief.
He got to his feet in one fluid movement and went back into the house, returning a few moments later with a stone jar. Then kneeling he examined her blisters. Scooping some of the ointment out with the fingers of one hand, he pulled her kimono down at the back to reveal her neck and shoulders with the other. She felt the coolness against her skin and the gentle movement of his hand as he spread it over her parched skin.
“Ahhh.”
She heard his low chuckle. “Better?” He asked close to her ear.
“Considerably. Thank you.” She kept her voice calm even as her heart beat rapidly at his closeness.
Once the ministration was concluded, the lessons began.
“You‟ve heard me talking to my servants. Are there any words you‟ve wondered about?”
“Those were words? I thought they were guttural noises.” She was immediately sorry for her words but instead of being angry, Fujito laughed.
“I suppose they would sound like that to the untrained ear. Well then, let‟s begin with this.” He picked up a book in which he‟d written in both English letters and Japanese script. He moved closer so that she could see.
“This is the first word you were awake enough to hear.” He smiled. “Taberu. You remember?” Katharine nodded. He was close enough for her to catch the musky scent of his cologne but she could see no pomander at his waist, as there would be at home.
“Taberu, to eat. Tabemasu, eat. Tabete imasu, eating. Tabemashita, eaten. Now, repeat with me.” When they‟d said the phrases together, he smiled. “Excellent. Now in the negative— Tabemasen, don‟t eat. Tabete imasen, not eating. Tabemasen deshita, didnot eat.” They repeated these together and Fujito smiled, pleased that his estimation of her being a quick scholar had been correct. Then