'Should fetch a tidy sum.' Another director nodded approvingly. 'Because of Mijnheer de Leuw's demise, your share will not be insignificant.' He named an approximate amount that almost made Nico reel, as it was so much more than he'd expected, but he kept his composure somehow.

'Thank you.' Nico bowed again.

'Do you know what is to be done with the money owed to de Leuw?'

'Yes, I believe his solicitor, Mijnheer Schuyler, will take care of it.' Nico gave the directors Schuyler's address.

'Thank you, Noordholt. And don't forget to report back to us when you are ready to undertake your next venture.'

With a last bow and a secret sigh of relief, Nico escaped. Standing outside East India House, the company's headquarters, he felt as if he'd faced the Holy Inquisition, even though the directors had been geniality personified. He breathed in the familiar scents of Amsterdam and slowly but surely his heart rate returned to normal.

Now all he had to do was find Midori pa.s.sage to England and he'd be free to sail the seven seas again.

Chapter Eighteen.

Back at the inn, Midori and Harding found Jochem waiting for them.

'At last!' The youth beamed at them. 'I thought you'd never return.'

'We haven't been gone that long, surely?' Midori smiled at him. She'd become fond of the boy and had thought she might not see him again once they docked.

'My mother's asked me to invite you to supper tonight. Said she'd love to meet a lady from such a faraway country. I told her all about you. What do you say, will you come? And Mr Harding, too, of course.'

'Why thank you, that's very kind. I'd love to,' Midori said.

'Excellent. I'll fetch you a bit later on then.' Jochem bounded off, like a young puppy eager to play. Midori realised he must be happy to have some free time after being at everyone's beck and call for so long.

Jochem's mother proved to be a widow who'd supported herself and her family as a seamstress since her husband's death some years before. Her house was somewhat chaotic, but fairly clean. She chattered away excitedly, and Midori did her best to answer all the questions thrown at her by her inquisitive hostess. It was an enjoyable evening, but Midori was happy to get back to the inn at the end of it.

As she and Harding walked through the tap room on the way to their rooms, however, they heard someone calling their names. Midori turned to find Nico sprawled in a chair, with a tankard in one hand and his other arm around a giggling woman who was perched on his lap. The wench was extremely well-rounded, with rosy cheeks, blonde hair and a bosom that was very much in evidence. Nico didn't seem to mind.

'There you are. I was beginning to think you'd gone to England on your own.'

Midori frowned at him, unaccountably annoyed to find him like this, even though she knew it was nothing to do with her how he spent his time. 'Would you have cared? We've not seen you all day.' The words came out before she had a chance to stop them and she gritted her teeth. Fool!

'Oh, you missed me, did you?' Nico was slurring his words slightly, so Midori suspected he'd been sitting there drinking for some time. She had missed him, but she wasn't about to tell him so.

'No, but you said yesterday you'd return soon. Anyway, we've had supper with Jochem's family. If you'd been here earlier, no doubt you'd have been invited, too.'

'You could have left word.' He scowled. 'I've been sitting here for hours. Was beginning to worry you'd been abducted again.'

'It doesn't look as though you've been short of company.' Midori glanced at the buxom girl who was now leaning her head on Nico's shoulder and twining her fingers in his golden hair, which had come loose from its ribbon, spilling out across his wide shoulders. A pang of jealousy shot through Midori, so strong it almost made her gasp out loud. He wouldn't let her touch him like that, but he'd allow a tavern wench any liberties she wanted?

Suppressing these thoughts, she added, 'I'm off to bed. If you can spare the time to see us, perhaps you could return tomorrow morning? We'll be sure to let you know our every movement.'

She turned her back on Nico and the taproom and marched off without even looking to see whether Harding followed or not. Once in bed, it took her ages to go to sleep, however, because every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was the giggling girl's chubby arms around Nico's throat.

'Infuriating man!' she hissed into the darkness. 'I refuse to let him affect me this way. He's made it plain he doesn't want me after all.'

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't purge him or that image from her mind.

Nico woke the next morning feeling decidedly bleary. He'd left the inn soon after Midori had gone to bed, refusing the offer of 'solace' from the serving girl. He didn't know why he'd allowed her to sit on his lap when he didn't actually want her, although that in itself was also a mystery. Having been at sea for so long, he should have been desperate for female company, but he'd not been tempted. One look at Midori and any thoughts of bedding anyone else had flown out of his head.

'A pox on it,' he murmured. 'Midori may be enticing, but there are other women who are equally so.' The serving wench just hadn't been to his taste.

Besides, taking Midori to bed would mean having to wed her, he knew that. She wasn't some common doxy, she was a lady. Marriage? Never! Wouldn't my erstwhile family love it if I turned out to be so respectable, he thought. And marriage to Midori also meant having to go with her to Plymouth to see that family, which wasn't an option.

What are you so scared of? A little voice inside his head needled him. Surely they can't hurt you now? You're your own man, very well-to-do after this recent voyage. Why not go back and show them?

'To h.e.l.l with that!' he muttered. He doubted they cared what had become of him.

Either way, he knew what marriage did to people and he wanted none of it. He'd watched his stepmother age prematurely, a miserable, downtrodden woman, forever pregnant or with a toddler in tow. And what had she received for her pains? Nothing. The old curmudgeon she'd married hadn't left her so much as a penny, either. Only his children, apart from Nico himself.

'b.a.s.t.a.r.d,' Nico spat. But whereas his stepmother had been offered shelter by her brother, Nico had to find himself board and lodging elsewhere.

'You're more than old enough to support yourself,' Jacob Marston had told him. 'It's past time you stopped gambling and frequenting taverns and did an honest day's work.' It was the truth, but Nico felt it could have been worded differently and he would have appreciated a bed for at least a week or so while he found employment. Marston could even have offered him work in his family's merchant business, but when Nico suggested it he was laughed out of the room.

'I doubt you'd be much use,' was the verdict.

He drew in a deep breath. 'Well, I managed and I've proved him wrong, so no point thinking about it now.' It still rankled, though.

As for Midori, he supposed he'd better try and make up for his boorish behaviour of the night before. Most likely, she didn't care either way, but for some reason he didn't want her to have such a low opinion of him as she'd obviously had last night.

He wanted her to think well of him, although why that should be so, he didn't stop to a.n.a.lyse.

'You've inherited a house, you say?'

'Yes, from my friend, the captain who died while we were in Dejima. Remember, I told you about him?'

Nico had joined Midori and Harding in the private parlour at the inn, but refused any sustenance. Midori suspected he had a sore head and was feeling nauseous, but he didn't look too bad and for some reason that annoyed her. He should have been suffering ill effects from last night. It would have served him right. She nodded curtly. 'Yes, I remember.'

'I've been given the keys this morning, so I wondered if you'd like to come with me to have a look? Harding, what do you say?'

'Not me, Cap'n, if you don't mind. There's an old friend of mine I'd like to see afore I head back to England. If you're lookin' after Mistress Midori anyways?'

'Yes, of course.'

Midori wasn't sure she ought to spend time alone with Nico. 'Is it seemly?' she asked. 'I mean, I don't know what the customs are here, but in my country I wouldn't go about with just a man for company.'

'You did yesterday,' Nico pointed out.

'Oh, yes, that's true, but ...' Midori couldn't tell him that she'd never seen Harding as anything other than a bodyguard, whereas being alone with Nico felt completely different.

'And you've just spent nine months without another woman in sight.'

Midori nodded. 'Very well, let's go,' she said. He was right what reputation she'd once had was probably gone now, in any case.

They boarded a small boat which floated along the ca.n.a.ls at a leisurely pace, giving Midori the opportunity to further admire the city's architecture. Most of the houses were similar in size and shape, with the distinctive gables so common in Holland. But each one appeared to have some architectural quirk or other to show their owners' individuality. Midori thought them all very attractive and the trees that had been planted alongside the ca.n.a.ls, with their fresh green leaves reflected in the water, gave an overall impression of beauty and orderliness.

'What are those hooks sticking out of the top of the houses?' she asked Nico.

'They're hoisting beams. Most of these properties belong to merchants and the attic floor of each house is usually used for storing goods. All types of things can be hoisted up there straight from boats or barges on the ca.n.a.l.'

'How ingenious. Is that what you will do, too?'

'I suppose. I hadn't thought about it yet. Usually only part of the ship's cargo belongs to me personally. Each man on board is given a certain amount of s.p.a.ce for their own purchases, but it's only a very small part. The main bulk of the cargo always belongs to the Company and would be stored in warehouses elsewhere. But perhaps I'll try my hand at trading for myself a bit more, hiring a ship of my own.'

Nico pointed out the best properties, those of the richest merchants and burgomasters, which were situated on the Singel and Herengracht ca.n.a.ls. His own new home, although not precisely poor, was in a slightly less prominent position on the Keizersgracht ca.n.a.l. When they reached it at last, Midori thought it looked to be a fine house, nonetheless.

In the entrance hall, which had a beautiful floor of black-and-white marble tiles, Midori noticed at once the shiny wood panelling and fine landscape paintings on the walls. She gazed around with admiration. 'Oh, this is lovely!'

Nico smiled for the first time that morning and bowed in mock servitude. 'I'm glad it meets with your approval, my lady,' he joked. She shot him a look of exasperation, but found herself smiling back at him anyway. It was good they could joke with each other, despite everything. She reflected that perhaps they could at least be friends, since he didn't seem to want anything else. She couldn't deny she felt at ease with him most of the time. Their minds were so in tune and whenever their eyes met, Midori would more often than not find her own thoughts reflected in the depths of his gaze. It was uncanny.

'Come up to the first floor and let's see what state the parlour is in,' Nico said. 'Mijnheer Schuyler told me the servants were supposed to have kept the house in order, but with the master away, who knows? He's given them time off at the moment.'

He led the way upstairs to a large room which overlooked the ca.n.a.l. As he threw open the door, Midori drew in a breath of surprise. The parlour was bright and airy, with a polished wooden floor and cushions and hangings of various red hues adding colour to the dark furniture and walls. All kinds of utensils and decorative objects lined the shelves and tables around the room. Blue-and-white china bowls, pewter flagons and even conch sh.e.l.ls each one equally neat and well kept. The whole house had an air of homeliness and warm comfort that was sorely lacking at the inn where she was staying.

'This is a beautiful room,' she breathed. 'You're very lucky!'

Nico looked around, as if seeing it properly for the first time. 'Yes, I am, aren't I? Perhaps I should get rid of some of the clutter, but other than that, it's perfect.'

'Clutter? No, don't, it looks lovely.' Midori felt her cheeks turn red. 'Or at least, that's my opinion. Of course you must do as you see fit.'

Nico raised an eyebrow at her. 'So if you lived here, you'd leave it as it is?'

'Absolutely. But since I don't, it's up to you.' Midori turned away. For a moment she'd found herself wishing with all her heart that she could share this wonderful house with Nico. Perhaps bring up children here. But she knew it was nothing but a silly dream. He'd made that perfectly clear.

'Can we see the rest?' she asked, restless now. 'And then I wish to speak to you about continuing my journey.'

'I've found us pa.s.sage on a ship that leaves this evening,' Nico told Harding and Midori the following day. 'Can you be ready so soon?'

'Us?' Midori frowned at him. 'I thought Harding was escorting me, since he's apparently going to Plymouth anyway.'

Nico went to stare out of the window, adopting a nonchalant tone. 'I've decided to come with you. I promised your brother I'd see you safe to your destination and I don't want to go back on my word.'

'I can cope,' Midori started to protest, but Nico cut her off by holding up his hand.

'I've already paid, so it's too late to change my plans now. Shall I arrange to have your things brought down to the quay?' He didn't want to discuss why he'd changed his mind because he didn't really understand it himself. All he knew was he couldn't let Midori travel to England by herself. He had to make sure she arrived safely.

'Very well. Thank you,' she added grudgingly. 'I'll go and see to my packing, then.'

Nico watched her go and the thought that they only had a few more days in each other's company was strangely unsettling. He'd become fond of her, used to having her around. Well, more than that. He couldn't deny there was an attraction between them. But it was just physical, and he'd get over it. Now all he had to do was deliver her to her uncle and he could put this entire episode behind him and start afresh.

Mid-August 1642 Midori didn't see much of Nico during the four-day-long trip to Plymouth. He seemed withdrawn and brooding, and she couldn't understand why. Harding didn't know, either.

'No idea what ails the man.' He shrugged. 'I did hear as how he's not keen on England, but don't know why.'

'Well, I didn't ask him to come,' she snapped, irritated beyond measure.

On a breezy summer's morning they anch.o.r.ed in Plymouth harbour at last. Midori experienced a mixture of feelings joy at having finally reached her destination and intense sadness at having to say goodbye to the people who had become her world during the last nine months. Most of all, she hated the thought of having to part from Nico. He'd told her he wasn't staying long.

She knew in her heart that was for the best, but she would have given anything just to spend some more time with him. However, Nico would soon be in the past and only fate knew what lay before her. Since she didn't have a choice in the matter, she was determined to make the best of it, come what may.

They said goodbye to Harding. 'Although I'm only down the other side of the harbour,' he said, 'so I'm sure we'll b.u.mp into each other every now and then. If there's anythin' I can do for you, mistress, don't hesitate.'

Midori nodded. 'Thank you for everything.'

Plymouth was nothing like she'd imagined it to be and she wrinkled her nose as she picked her way round all the rubbish littering the narrow streets. 'Why is it so dirty?' she asked Nico as they only just avoided stepping on a rotting animal carca.s.s. It appeared to have been thrown out of a nearby butcher's shop. A cloud of flies hovered over it, buzzing angrily, and Midori swatted at them.

He shrugged. 'Your uncle's house is higher up on the hill, where conditions are slightly better.'

'How do you know?'

'Er, I asked someone.'

Midori hurried on, spurred by a wish to escape the noxious odours. They pa.s.sed innumerable shops a candle-maker, a baker, a cordwainer which looked very different to what Midori was used to. She stopped to inspect some of the wares a few times until she realised the shopkeepers were staring at her, openly curious. She followed Nico with her eyes firmly fixed on the ground after that.

'Why are they staring at me so?' she hissed. 'I changed my clothing, just as you asked.' He'd told her not to wear her most colourful kimono, which she'd put on at first in honour of the occasion.

Nico gave her a rueful smile. 'It's still different from what they're wearing, isn't it?' He nodded in the direction of some ladies pa.s.sing by and Midori saw what he meant. 'We should have bought you garments in Amsterdam.'

'No, I want to arrive in my own clothes.' For some reason she couldn't fathom herself, Midori felt strongly about that. 'No doubt I'll have to adapt later, but today I am me.'

'Well, then, perhaps they are staring because they've never seen anyone so beautiful before,' Nico whispered, sending a streak of warmth down her spine.

'Don't be provoking.' Midori was cross that he'd chosen today of all days to play games with her. He'd never told her she was beautiful before and now it was too late. She marched off with her head held high until she realised she had no idea where she was going and was forced to stop and wait for Nico. He quirked an eyebrow at her, but said nothing more.

Everywhere they went they encountered throngs of people who were none too clean. a.s.sailed by all these odours, Midori began to feel nauseous and wondered if it would be impolite to put a hand over her nose and mouth. After a while she stopped caring; it was either that or disgrace herself in public. It was a relief when Nico finally stopped at the bottom of a steeply sloping street. He pointed at a house that could be glimpsed at the top of the hill.

'That's your destination, your uncle's house,' he said, his voice a harsh whisper, as if he had to struggle to get the words out.

Midori looked up and saw a four-storey structure, built mostly of grey stone, but with some timber part.i.tions and white plaster at the front. Large windows, with a myriad of tiny window panes encased in lead, spanned the whole width of the house at first-floor level. On the second and third storeys there were smaller windows that overhung the street.

'Are you ready?' Nico asked, pulling her gaze back to him. He shifted from one foot to the other, as if he was impatient to get this over with, but his expression was shuttered.

Midori nodded. Now the time had come she suddenly felt overwhelmed by it all and wished she had stayed a bit longer in Amsterdam before going to face her relatives. Drawing in a calming breath, she reminded herself she was the daughter of a daimyo and she feared nothing.

'Just one moment, though.' Nico took a leather pouch out of his pocket and held it out to her. 'Here, you'd better keep this safe somewhere.'

Midori frowned. 'What is it?'