Page 60 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
“That’s how we managed at home.”
Argent pointed out, “Our hosts will protest the propriety of such an arrangement.”
Tsumiko pressed the spoon to his lips. “Do you still hate me?”
Sweetness exploded on his tongue, and his eyes slammed shut. He mumbled, “On principle.”
“But in practice?” she prompted.
He licked his lips as he searched for a suitable answer. In mellowing tones, he replied, “In this place, yours is the only company I would willingly seek.”
“But you don’t want me.”
“I do not.” Argent allowed her to lead him around to his usual side of the bed. “None shall molest you. Leastwise me.”
“I believe you.” Not so much as a fingertip ruffled his fur as she tucked him in. “I’ll protect your virtue as well.”
“From Jacques?”
“Especially him,” she promised. “And … if you wake up before me, don’t leave.”
A direct order. “I thought I was in charge.”
“Huddlebud is potent,” she parroted. “I’d hate to think what kinds of trouble you might get into while your inhibitions are impaired.”
Argent felt oddly complimented, even if she only acknowledged his scheming by thwarting it. “What trouble could I possibly find here?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Tsumiko wrestled shut the drapes and slid into bed on the other side. “Shave Bon-Bon’s head and strand Jacques on the roof?”
“Tsumiko.” He reached out, but the bed was quite large. She reached back, and their fingertips touched. “Make that an order?” he begged.
But her only command held the lilt of laughter. “Sweet dreams.”
THIRTY FIVE
Greening the Chapel
“I’m sorry. I don’t really understand what you’re saying.” Tsumiko looked up at Argent, to whose arm she clung, hoping for some clue as to what Yvette Smythe was going on about.
He bent to murmur, “Very little of consequence, my lady. Unless you wish me to enumerate her sons’ many charms.”
“Everyone has their good points.”
“You are too generous by far.”
Tsumiko patted his sleeve. “Will you tell her that Uncle Boniface and Uncle Jacques have been nothing but kind to me?”
Argent inclined his head and addressed Yvette in French.
Boniface sidled up on Tsumiko’s other side and tapped her shoulder. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” She had to give him credit for making an effort. He’d learned several Japanese phrases and cobbled them into conversations. Mutual ignorance limited them to the most basic of courtesies, but theywereable to exchange a few words.
“Do you like Christmas?” he asked, indicating the chapel in which they stood.
“Yes. Very much.” Even though she knew it would go straight over his head, she added, “This is a charming custom. I’m glad your mother chose to include me.”
Shortly after breakfast, Yvette had proposed an outing to the little church a few kilometers down the road from the Smythe estate. With the coming of Christmastide, the congregation was tending to the greening of the church.
