Page 58 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
Than a low chuckle vibrated through Argent’s chest.
“Are you laughing at me?” Tsumiko pushed at his shoulder.
Rather than lower her to the ground, he sank to the floor, holding her so close she couldn’t see his face. He chuckled again, right in her ear. “Well done,poppet. With one word, you foiled every simmering plot and mangled their simpering egos.”
She was rather proud of her improvisation. “Uncledoes put them in an awkward position.”
“They cannot seduce you, so they will have to spoil you instead.” Argent rested his cheek against hers. “Beware of men with candy.”
THIRTY FOUR
Behind Closed Doors
Tsumiko searched for a reason for the shift in Argent’s attitude. Was he assailed by memories of Christmases past with Aunt Eimi? His grief was only months old. Or maybe he was worked up over seeing the Smythe cousins again? Something in Jacques’ manner was especially bothersome. Then again, Argent could be suffering from the strain of hiding his injuries. Checking and changing his bandages were next on her agenda. Or perhaps jet lag was the culprit. Didn’t people shed inhibitions once they were too tired to care?
Whatever the reason, they remained in an undignified heap for the full nine and one-half minutes it took for Mrs. Draper to return.
“Breakfast has arrived.” Argent pointed across the room and ordered, “Out of sight.”
Tsumiko tottered to her feet. Leaving her sandals behind, she padded across lavishly patterned carpeting and slipped into an ensuite bathroom. From behind its half-open door, she watched the housekeeper direct a small procession of maids, who arrayed the contents of several trays on a table situated between two sets of balcony doors.
When they exited again, Argent locked them out with a decisivesnap. “Hungry?”
Tsumiko plucked at her encumbering costume. “Can I change first?”
He inclined his head and removed his suit coat, folding it carefully over the back of a chair. Easing onto the seat, he beckoned with both hands.
“Youarehurting.”
Argent didn’t deny it.
Undoing knots, unwinding silk, slipping ties. Layer by layer, he stole Tsumiko’s grandeur, leaving her in a plain cotton slip. He directed her to the closet where several kimono stands were stored, and they tended to the heirloom garments. Opening one of the smaller trunks, he located her pajamas and sent her into the bathroom to arrange her toiletries and freshen up.
Moving around was good. Settling in was therapeutic. Brushing her teeth was heartening. Wearing her own things again was a relief.
By the time she rejoined him, Argent was clad in nothing more than striped pajama pants and bandages. She’d expected as much. What she hadn’t expected was the fanning presence of several silvery tails. They curled gracefully at his feet when he stood still, and their white tips trailed in his wake as he moved. Beautiful. But she suspected he’d called upon them in order to keep his balance.
“Eat.” He pulled out a chair for her.
“What about your bandages?”
“Breakfast before tending. Then sleep.” Argent uncovered heaped dishes and filled her glass with juice, then dropped all pretense of servitude. He ate quickly and quietly.
Unable to match his appetite, Tsumiko’s attention returned to the sway of silver behind Argent. Sansa had said that a fox’s tails were more reliable than their words. And Suuzu had said the more tails, the more trouble.
“You are staring,” Argent remarked.
“How many are there?”
“Did no one teach you to count?”
“They’re always moving.” She poked at an egg dish with her fork. “And I wasn’t sure if something like that would be considered too personal.”
“Intensely personal.” Argent regarded her over a speared mushroom. “You should feel privileged, and you should never speak of this to others.”
Was he overstating things? At times like this, she couldn’t tell if he was being frank or facetious. But if he was back to cutting remarks, he must be feeling better. “Is there etiquette involving Amaranthine with tails?”
“Never touch without permission.” Argent offered a small shrug. “Other than that, use common sense. No pulling. Avoid insulting remarks. And watch your step.”
