The Gilded Fan (Choc Lit) (27 page)

Nico smiled to himself as he made his way up the hill towards Jacob’s house the following day. ‘Oh, but she’s not as unaffected as she’d like to pretend,’ he murmured. That dazzling smile, when he’d caught her by surprise with his sudden arrival, and the frequent glances she cast his way, were proof of that. Not to mention the way she’d reacted to his kisses in the past.

‘And you may be stubborn, my lady Midori,’ he whispered to himself, ‘but I can be equally so. Perseverance is the key. Let the battle commence.’

He arrived just as Midori and her two cousins were leaving the house, all carrying shovels or small pickaxes. ‘Good morning,’ Nico said, raising his eyebrows at this sight. ‘Where are you all off to?’

‘Building earthworks,’ Daniel said. ‘Everyone has to help. You’re welcome to come along, Coz.’ He looked at Nico’s clothing and smiled. ‘Although you probably won’t want to get that fancy coat dirty.’

Nico grinned back and pretended to cuff the youngster. ‘I might join you later. For now, I’ve got business with your father to attend to and trust me, my “fancy coat” is necessary for that. Where will you be?’

‘Near Maudlin, at the moment.’

Nico found them all there some time later, hard at work. He’d changed into scruffier clothes and was fully prepared to do a bit of digging, if that would help improve Midori’s image of him. Jacob had told him airily that ‘everyone was at it’, but Nico was taken aback.

‘Bloody hell,’ he muttered, looking around. ‘I didn’t realise the sheer scale of these earthworks.’ He was also surprised at the numbers of people helping out and how much they’d built already.

‘Yes, impressive, isn’t it?’ Daniel said, leaning on his shovel as he took a short break. ‘But necessary. The Cornishmen could be back any day now so we’re adding to what we built last year.’

‘It’s really as bad as that?’ Nico was serious now and drew Daniel to one side. ‘I’d thought reports of this civil war exaggerated on the Continent.’

‘I’m afraid not.’ Daniel filled him in on what had been happening. ‘We heard there were reinforcements coming this way, but our Colonel, Ruthven, decided to march into Cornwall without waiting for them. It was a disaster and there’ve been wounded people streaming back these last few days. I’m sure the Royalists will soon come and besiege us again.’

Nico digested this. It would seem he’d arrived just in time. He glanced at Midori, working diligently side by side with the others, and felt a protective instinct rise within him.
I must get her out of here and fast. The others, too.
Although judging by the determination with which Daniel attacked the earthworks, he guessed he might find it difficult to persuade them to come. Still, one thing at a time. First, he’d work on softening Midori towards him, then she could help him talk the others into leaving. He nodded at Daniel. ‘Thank you for telling me,’ he said. ‘Are there any spare shovels?’

It looked as though he was going to have to dig his way into Midori’s heart.

May 1643

It didn’t work.

After kicking his heels in Plymouth for several months, Nico had to concede that his charm offensive simply wasn’t working and he was getting tired of the cat-and-mouse game.

Damn, but she’s a stubborn woman!

Frustration was eating him up from inside. He was sure Midori was still attracted to him, even if she refused to admit it. Every so often he caught her glancing his way, but when he looked back, she’d turn away quickly. In his experience, that signified interest, but somehow he could never get her alone in order to advance any further. She’d become very adept at keeping her other cousins nearby and she ignored any direct requests for a private word with her or laughed them off as if he’d been joking. And a lot of the time she was nowhere to be found. Nico had no idea where she spent her days, but it certainly wasn’t with him.

‘Where the hell does she disappear off to?’ he muttered.

And how was he supposed to show her he was truly sorry for deceiving her if she wouldn’t even talk to him?
I have to find a way.

But she continued to evade him.

I might as well go and fight in this infernal war, for all the good it’s doing me to stay here.
But Nico considered wars futile, this one especially, and had no interest in defending either party.

It didn’t take him and Jacob long to sell the goods he’d brought, and after that he found himself at a loose end. He’d joined the others in helping to build earthworks, but when that came to a temporary halt he was left with nothing to do again. There wasn’t even any fighting to join in, because although the town was briefly under siege during the month of February, that soon ended without any real skirmishes.

‘Hah, the Royalists haven’t so much as ruffled our feathers,’ Jacob gloated. ‘Thought they’d cause us hardship, did they? Well, they’ll have to think again.’

And it was true, because the Royalists couldn’t control the sea front. They tried their best to stop ships going in and out of Plymouth harbour, but their gun batteries along the shore never quite managed it. Out of sheer boredom, Nico went on a couple of short trading journeys on Jacob’s behalf. He’d sent the Dutch ship back to Amsterdam soon after his arrival, but Jacob had his own ships which he allowed Nico to captain. Trying to evade the Royalists added spice to an otherwise very dull existence, but come May, he’d had enough.

This isn’t why I came to Plymouth.

That morning he’d been helping Jacob fill in some ledgers. The old man’s eyesight wasn’t as good as it had once been, so he seemed grateful for some assistance. Thanks to the trading ventures, a tentative bond had begun to build between them, although they were both still slightly reserved in each other’s company. Neither spoke about the past any longer; it was a subject best forgotten.

‘Daniel should be doing the ledgers, but he never seems to be here these days,’ Jacob grumbled. ‘Those infernal earthworks. You’d think there couldn’t be any more to dig by now.’

There weren’t, as Nico well knew, but he didn’t tell Jacob that. If Daniel wanted his father to think he was out digging somewhere, he had to have a reason for it and Nico didn’t tell tales. Daniel was another elusive character, who was seldom to be found. Nico wasn’t sure what the youth was up to, but he suspected it had to do with the fighting and he didn’t want to make trouble for him. He’d seen the light in Daniel’s eyes when he spoke of defending the town and their rights, and it was obvious he was obsessed with joining the army.
Young fool! Who in their right mind wants to fight a war?

‘I believe the earthworks will become necessary soon again,’ Nico commented. ‘I heard only this morning that the truce is over.’ A temporary cessation of hostilities had been agreed between Devon and Cornwall during March, but it obviously hadn’t lasted and Nico thought it best to warn Jacob as it would affect trade again.

‘Oh, wonderful, that’s all we need,’ Jacob muttered. ‘What else have you heard?’ When Nico hesitated, his stepuncle fixed him with a glare. ‘Might as well tell me so I’m forewarned.’

‘The Earl of Stamford has apparently decided to lead an army into Cornwall,’ Nico told him reluctantly. He wondered if Daniel would run away to join up and if there was any way Jacob could stop him. Nico and the old man both knew someone as inexperienced as Daniel wouldn’t stand much chance in a real battle. He’d be slaughtered.

Jacob sighed and rubbed his face, as if he was tired of all his responsibilities. ‘It’s not easy being a father,’ he said with a sigh, then looked Nico in the eye. ‘I know I have no right to ask, but is there any chance you could have a word with Daniel, try to talk some sense into him? He might listen to you, I know he likes you. If we were really threatened, I realise he’d have to fight, but to go on a wild goose chase to Cornwall …’ His voice tailed off and he sounded so forlorn, Nico put out a hand to squeeze Jacob’s arm.

‘I’ll try, but he’s young and hot-headed. He may not listen to me. I’ll catch him when he leaves the house tomorrow morning; see if I can get him to talk to me, at least.’

Jacob nodded. ‘Thank you. I appreciate the attempt at any rate.’

Daniel’s fighting skills had definitely improved and Midori was beginning to think she’d reached the point where she had nothing more to teach him. With the excuse of digging earthworks, they’d had more time of late to sneak off, but as she slipped out of the house the back way once again, she decided to tell Daniel to practise by himself from now on. Any day now, Uncle Marston would find out the earthworks were recently finished.

She joined Daniel at their usual meeting place, several streets away from the house, and they walked in silence towards the deserted part of the coast where they’d found a private spot in which to train.

‘So what are we doing today?’ Daniel asked, eager as always.

Midori worried that he hadn’t understood the seriousness of what he was learning. She felt like shouting at him that she was teaching him to kill other human beings and it wasn’t a game, but she knew that wouldn’t accomplish anything. She’d prepared him as best she could, the rest was up to fate.

Instead she replied, ‘Just practising the moves I showed you yesterday.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Really, I don’t think you need me any more. It’s just a question of increasing your stamina now and improving your reflexes. You had better do that on your own. I daren’t continue to leave the house so often.’

They had reached the shore, and Daniel stopped and took her hands in his, looking at her earnestly. ‘You’re right and I can’t thank you enough for helping me. I feel so much less … inadequate now. Really, I thank you.’

Midori smiled at him and didn’t resist when he pulled her into an awkward embrace. She’d become very fond of him and was pleased he felt he could hug her like a sister at last. She was about to say he was welcome, when a cold voice cut in.

‘Well, well, this is very touching. I’d never have guessed if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. No wonder you were both absent so much – now I see why.’

Midori couldn’t stop a gasp from escaping her lips, and she turned her head to stare at Nico, who came walking towards them. Belatedly, she let go of Daniel and stepped away from him.

Nico stopped in front of them, scowling mightily and with his eyes narrowed. ‘So how long has this been going on? And there’s Jacob thinking you’re both shovelling dirt. As for me, I don’t know how I could be so blind!’

‘It’s not what you think,’ Daniel said. ‘That’s to say …’ He looked at Midori as if asking permission to tell Nico what they’d really been doing. She nodded, so he continued. ‘Midori’s been teaching me self-defence and fighting techniques. Look, we can show you.’

But Nico wasn’t really listening, it seemed. His gaze was boring into Midori’s. ‘A likely excuse, I’m sure.’

His sarcastic tone made her see red and for once she let her emotions get the upper hand. She put her hands on her hips and glared back at him. ‘Well, it’s more than you’re doing to protect your family,’ she accused. ‘I don’t see you doing anything to defend the town, apart from a little bit of digging. If we were all murdered in our beds, you’d just sail away, wouldn’t you?’ She knew that was unfair, but she was so angry now she didn’t care.

‘Is that what you believe?’ Nico took a step closer, his eyes dark sapphire slivers that shot angry sparks in the sunlight. ‘You really think so little of me?’

‘Like I said, I haven’t seen you taking up arms on behalf of your clan.’ Midori stood her ground. Daniel, wisely, kept silent.

‘For the last time, Midori, we don’t
have
clans here, not the way you mean. I thought you understood that by now?’

‘Uncle Marston and your stepmother …’

‘They’re sort of my kin, yes, and I was going to offer to take you all back to Amsterdam to keep you safe, but nothing else. This isn’t my fight. I don’t give a damn whether King Charles or Parliament wins, so why should I go and kill people in the name of either of them? Why should you?’

‘Because it’s the honourable thing to do. And you’d only be killing to defend your family.’ Midori clenched her fists by her side to keep from hitting him herself. Why couldn’t he understand? It was a simple enough code of conduct to live by.

‘Oh, we’re back to that again, are we? You don’t think I have any honour because I withheld some information from you. For heaven’s sake, I thought I’d apologised enough for that!’

‘It’s not an apology I want,’ Midori hissed. ‘I wanted you to show me what kind of man you are. Words are just that, words. And gifts and charm are all very well, but they don’t amount to much if there’s no sincerity behind them.’

She saw a muscle jump in Nico’s jaw, as if he’d clenched his teeth really hard. ‘I see. All right, you want me to go and get myself killed, just to show you I’m honourable and sincere. Very well, have it your way. I’ll leave for Cornwall this afternoon. Not that it matters now, anyway. I wish you luck with your marriage.’ He turned to point at Daniel. ‘And don’t you dare follow me, because one pointless death in the family will be enough.’

‘What? I—’

‘Nico, don’t be an idiot.’ Midori took a step forward and tried to grab his arm, but he wrenched it loose and started striding off. ‘I don’t want you to fight anyone just to prove a point,’ she shouted after him. ‘It doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t come from the heart; if it’s not your own choice.’

But he wasn’t listening, obviously, as he just continued on his way. Midori sank down on to the sand and covered her face with her hands. Hot tears pricked her eyelids, but she refused to let them fall. Nico wasn’t worth it. Besides, he’d soon come to his senses when he calmed down. Wouldn’t he?

Daniel knelt next to her and said as much, adding, ‘I don’t know how he could have misunderstood so. It’s not as if I’ve ever made sheep’s eyes at you. You’re too old for me.’

Midori had to smile at that, even if she felt her smile wobble slightly. ‘Thank you, Daniel, that’s very reassuring,’ she said dryly. ‘I hadn’t realised I was quite that ancient.’

Daniel grinned back and pulled her close for a hug. ‘I was only joking, but I’m sure you know I see you only as a sister. I wish I’d known that Nico doesn’t feel the same way. Perhaps I could have helped.’

Midori shook her head. ‘No, you couldn’t. As I told him, he had to prove his worth to me himself, but not this way …’

As she thought of him going off to battle she had to fight harder than she ever had before to keep the tears at bay. It was up to fate what happened now; all she could do was pray.

‘
Bakajaro!’
she muttered. ‘Stupid, stupid fool of a man …’

But perhaps he was the one who was right?
Doubt entered her mind. She’d been in England long enough now to know that not everyone here fought to the death for their beliefs, and honour wasn’t as sacred as in her country of birth. She thought of Aunt Hesketh and Temperance – what would happen to them if war broke out properly here in Plymouth? And Uncle Marston, who was too old for fighting?

I’ve been selfish!
She’d been thinking only from her own perspective, whereas Nico hadn’t. He’d said he was going to take them all to Amsterdam and safety.

It would have saved their lives. Instead … who knows what will happen?

‘Oh, Daniel, what a mess I’ve made of things.’ She leaned her head on his shoulder and for once felt she needed his strength, not the other way round.

‘It will be all right, you’ll see,’ he said. ‘I’m sure of it.’

But Midori no longer believed that.

The anger carried Nico through the following weeks. It was as if he existed in a freezing fog, where nothing seemed real. Enlisting, marching with the army into Cornwall, sleeping on the ground, being filthy and hungry a lot of the time – it hardly registered. He fought in a battle at Stratton in North Cornwall, where the Parliamentarians were soundly defeated, but afterwards he couldn’t remember much about it. All he knew was that he survived, although why he was spared when he was one of the few men who didn’t care whether he lived or died, he’d never know.

In his mind it was all just a nightmare vision of blood, smoke, screams and the ear-splitting sounds of muskets and cannon. When it was over, he trudged back again all the way to Exeter with what was left of Stamford’s army. Despite his inattention, and even though he’d thrown himself into the thick of the fighting, Nico barely received a scratch. It was as if fate was laughing at him.

Midori wants me to show her I can fight for my clan, but when I do, I don’t have a single wound to show for it.
It made hysterical laughter bubble up in his throat and he realised he needed to get a grip on himself. He looked around and came to the conclusion he had no idea where they were.

‘Are we stopping at Plymouth?’ he asked the man walking closest to him.

‘Plymouth? No, passed that two days ago. They’ll have to fend for theirselves, the good Lord help ’em.’ The man peered at him. ‘Are ye feelin’ all right? Hit over the head, were ye?’

‘No, I’m well, thank you.’

The man’s words jolted Nico out of his numb state enough for him to start listening to what was being said around him from then on. He gathered Plymouth was cut off from the main Parliamentary forces, the ones he was with, and there was no one to come to their aid. With a sinking feeling, Nico realised Midori had been right and he should have stayed there to fight, but it was too late now.