“But Tess! How can I—”
“That’s what you’ll do, laddie! That’s what you’ll do, by God.”
“I can’t, Father, it’s just imp—”
“And under no circumstances will you tell anyone about the Chinese medicines. Dinna go to a house until we know for certain, and dinna touch Tess until you’re married.”
“I’m so ashamed.”
“Nae need for that, laddie. It’s difficult being young. But in this world it’s up to a man to watch his back. There’re a lot of mad dogs around.”
“You’re saying it was Gorth?”
“I’m saying nothing. Do you think that?”
“No, of course not. But that’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”
“Dinna forget, you’ve got to act normally or you’ll lose Tess.”
“Why?”
“You think Liza and Brock’d allow you to marry Tess if they find out you’re so immature and stupid that you’ll go whoring in Macao drunk—and to an unknown whorehouse and get filled with love potions and rolled? If I was Brock I’d say you had na enough sense to be my son-in-law!”
“Sorry.”
“You get some rest, laddie. I’ll be back later.”
And all the way to May-may’s house Struan was deciding on the way to kill Gorth—if Culum had the pox. The cruelest way. Aye, he thought coldly, I can be very cruel. This will na be just a simple killing—or quick. By God!
“You look terrible, Culum darling,” Tess said. “You really ought to have an early night.”
“Yes.”
They were promenading along the
pra
ça in the night quiet. It was after dinner, and his head was clearer but his agony almost unbearable.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, sensing his torment.
“Nothing, darling. I just drank too much. And those highwaymen weren’t very gentle. By the Lord God, I’m forswearing drink for a year.” Please God, don’t let anything happen. Hurry the week—and let nothing happen.
“Let’s go back,” she said, and taking his arm firmly, turned him toward the Brock residence. “A good night’s rest will do you the world of good.” She felt very maternal and couldn’t help feeling happy that he was almost helpless. “I’m glad you’re forswearing drink, my dear. Father gets terrible drunk sometimes—and Gorth, my word, many’s the time I seed him besotted.”
“ ‘I’ve seen him,’ ” he said, correcting her.
“I’ve
seen him besotted. Oh, I’m so glad we’ll soon be wed.”
What possible reason could Gorth have for doing that? Culum asked himself. The Tai-Pan must be exaggerating. He must be.
A servant opened the door and Culum took Tess into the parlor.
“Back so soon, luvs?” Liza said.
“I’m a little tired, Ma.”
“Well, I’ll be off,” Culum said. “See you tomorrow. Will you be going to the cricket match?”
“Oh yes, let’s, Ma!”
“Mayhaps thee’ll escort us, Culum lad?”
“Thank you. I’d like that. See you tomorrow.” Culum kissed Tess’s hand. “Good night, Mrs. Brock.”
“Night, lad.”
Culum turned for the door just as Gorth was entering. “Oh, hello, Gorth.”
“Hello, Culum. I were waiting for thee. Just going for a drink at the Club. Come along.”
“Not tonight, thanks. I’m all in. Too many late nights. And there’s the cricket tomorrow.”
“A drink won’t hurt thee. After thy beating it be best.”
“Not tonight, Gorth. Thanks, though. See you tomorrow.”
“As thee wish, old lad. Now, take care of thyself.” Gorth closed the front door behind him.
“Gorth, what happened last night?” Liza scrutinized him.
“Poor lad got in his cups. I be leaving Club as I told thee, afore him, so I doan know. Wot’d he sayed, Tess?”
“Just that he drank too much, and that the highwaymen fell on him.” She laughed. “Poor Culum—I think he’ll be cured of the demon drink for a long time.”
“Would thee get my cheroots, Tess luv?” Gorth said. “They be in’t dresser.”
“Certainly,” Tess said and ran out.
“I heared,” Gorth said, “I heared our Culum lad’s been kicking over the traces like.”
“Wot?” Liza stopped her sewing.
“Baint harmful,” Gorth said. “Mayhaps I shouldn’t’ve sayed it. Baint harmful if a man’s careful, by God. Thee knowed wot a man’s like.”
“But he be marrying our Tess! She baint marrying no rake.”
“Yes. I thinks I be havin’ a talk with the lad. Best be careful in Macao and no doubt about that’n. If Da’ were here’d be different. But I’ve to protect the family—and the poor lad from weaknesses. Thee’ll say na about this, now!”
“Of course not.” Liza hated that which made men masculine. Why baint they controlling theyselves? Mayhaps I better be rethinking this marriage. “Tess baint marrying no rake. But Culum baint that way at all. Are thee sure wot thee’s saying?”
“Yes,” Gorth said. “At least that’s what some of the lads sayed.”
“I wisht yor da’ were here.”
“Yes,” Gorth said, then added as though making a sudden decision, “I think I be visiting Hong Kong for a day or two. I’ll talk to Da’. That be best. Then I be talking to Culum proper. I be leaving on the tide.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Struan finished the last page of the English translation of the Russian documents. He slowly tidied the pages and put them back in the briefcase and let it rest on his lap.
“And?” May-may asked. “Why for so fantastical silent, heya?” She was propped in bed, under a mosquito net, her gold silk gown making her skin whiter.
“Nothing, lass.”
“Put bisnesses away and talk to me. For one hour you are like scholar.”
“Let me think for five minutes. Then I’ll talk to you, eh?”
“Huh,” she said. “If I was na sicknesses, then you’d be bedding all time.”
“Och aye, lassie.” Struan went to the garden door and stared up at the night sky. The stars were brilliant and the heavens foretold good weather.
May-may settled into the bed and watched him. He’s looking very tired, she thought. Poor Tai-Pan, so many troubles.
He had told her about Culum and his fears for him, but not about Gorth. He had also said that there was fever bark to be had, within a few days. And he had told her about Mary and had cursed Ah Tat.
“Damned murdering fool. She should have known better. If Mary’d told me, or you, we could have sent her away to have the baby safely and secretly. To America or somewhere. The baby could have been adopted and —”
“And her Glessing man?” she had asked. “Would he have still married her? Nine months away?”
“That’s finished, either way!”
“Who’s the father?” May-may had asked.
“She would na tell me,” Struan had said, and May-may had smiled to herself.