My Splendid Concubine Read Online Free PDF

I’d treat you better,” he added, and felt the heat in his face as it turned red. He wondered if he had enough to buy her.
    Me-ta-tae ’s lower lip trembled.
    Without thinking of the consequences, Robert took her into his arms. She looked at him with eyes full of tears.
    Hot blood rushed into his head and he kissed her neck. The warm scent of her skin was intoxicating. His hands found their way under her blouse, and he caressed her breasts.
    They moved to his bed and their clothing ended on the floor. Ro bert sensed movement outside his half-open door but ignored it. Touching her naked body excited him beyond his self-control and his resolve to stay abstinent evaporated.
    Soon after he entered her, it was over.
    Avoiding his eyes, she slipped off the bed and dressed.
    “ Don’t go.” There was a scratchy, pitiful sound in his voice as if he were begging. He couldn’t stand it. “Tell Hollister I’ll buy you if he doesn’t want you.”
    He heard a scuffling noise outside his door as if someone was hu rrying away. Then Me-ta-tae left.
    He felt confused and empty. It wasn ’t as if she were the first woman he’d been with, but that thought didn’t stop him from feeling cheap. With her abrupt departure, he discovered that he had a yearning for something more, but he couldn’t put words to it.
    The next morning Guan-jiah came to tell Robert that Holli ster was outside asking for him. “He’s angry, Master. I don’t recommend speaking to him. Not after last night.”
    He felt terrible. She must have told Hollister what ha ppened. He despised himself. Me-ta-tae had come to him for comfort. He couldn’t deny that she was desirable, and he was a bull in heat. It was a mutual act, but it was still a defeat.
    He didn ’t want to face Hollister, so he said, “Make excuses for me, Guan-jiah. Send him away.”
    Robert felt as if he were a coward but what other choice did he have if he wanted to avoid a fight. Jealousy was unpredictable and dangerous, and Hollister had every right.
    Guan-jiah nodded and left the room.
    “ What do you mean he isn’t here?” Hollister yelled. Robert heard every word from where he was hiding behind the door. “Not only does he cheat at chess, but he’s trying to steal my woman too. You tell him I’ll be back.”
    Robert was mortified. He never cheated at chess. How could Ho llister say such a horrible thing? And he wasn’t stealing his woman. She had come to him willingly, and he wanted to buy her.
    Hollister didn ’t return to work for a week. Then he quit his job with the consulate and sailed away.
    When Me-ta-tae went with him, Robert felt more despon dent. The affair left him feeling guilty. The fact that Hollister quit surprised him. The man never had enough money because of his gambling, and he lived beyond his means.
    Maybe his reason for leaving was to avoid his cred itors. Maybe it had nothing to do with Robert seducing his concubine.
    Later, Guan-jiah said, “Master, do not think of that woman. Me-ta-tae is not good. She seduced the previous interpreter, and Master Hollister was angry with him too. They had a big fight. The next day that foreigner was gone. I followed her once and discovered she was having sex with one of the merchants too.”
    Robert looked at him sharply and remembered the noise in the hallway. He ’d been watching. He started to scold Guan-jiah but fought back his anger. Could it be that his servant was living vicariously through watching others have intercourse, because he couldn’t?
    He kept silent out of pity. Despite such depravity, Guan-jiah had a good heart. Robert refused to judge him. What would he have done?
    “Master,” Guan-jiah said, “it is best to take life easy and to find your way across the river by searching out stepping-stones hidden just below the surface. Nothing is wrong with falling and getting soaked sometimes.”
     
    By mid-June, Robert could scarcely breathe because of the sultry heat. He spent twelve hours a day