The China Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

the blood of the Celestial Kingdom."
    Troth had often secretly studied the European traders, wondering what it would be like to be with one of them. Gavin Elliott in particular appealed to her, for he reminded her of her father: tall and handsome, honorable and clever, courteous to all. But Lord Maxwell—Troth flushed when she thought of him. He had fired both her blood and her imagination, even though any such relationship was unthinkable.
    "Aiiee, is there one you fancy?" Ling-Ling asked eagerly. "Shall I ask my lord tonight when we lie together to give you to the Fan-qui you desire?"
    "No!" Troth made herself shrug as if indifferent. "I may be half barbarian myself, but that doesn't mean that I want to mate with one." Ling-Ling nodded approval. It was a very proper sentiment.
    A lie, of course. Though marrying a Fan-qui was impossible, Troth certainly dreamed of mating with one.

    Gavin poured a cup of steaming tea into a handle-less Chinese cup and offered it to Kyle. "What do you think?"
    Kyle tasted it thoughtfully. Under his friend's tutelage, he'd become something of an expert at evaluating teas. "Rather bland."
    "You're being charitable. It's dead boring. But… offered at a very attractive price… ? I wonder if it's worth shipping all the way to Boston." Kyle took another sip. "What if you add some kind of flavoring? The basic tea taste is fairly strong. Blending in something else will add interest." Gavin looked intrigued. "Any suggestions?"
    "I've had tea flavored with cardamom in India. It has a lovely taste and scent. Or you might try some kind of citrus. Either lemon or orange." His friend nodded thoughtfully. "I'll order a goodly amount of the tea, and we can start experimenting with flavors. I'll make a merchant of you yet. Care to help establish a London branch of Elliott House?"
    "You're expanding your trade into England?"
    "It's the logical next step. Britain has many more customers than the United States." Gavin grinned. "When I was a lad in Aberdeen, I quite fancied myself as the master of one of the world's great trading companies."
    "You're well on your way." Kyle hadn't done badly himself. He'd started dabbling in trade to learn whether he was capable of success unrelated to his rank, and he'd found satisfaction and profit in his ventures. Though he was returning to the staid life of an English gentleman, he wanted to maintain his connection with the East, and that was probably a factor in Gavin's decision to expand Elliott House's operations. "I think a London office is an excellent idea—it will save me from respectability."
    It would also give Kyle an excuse for future travel, though not until he'd done his duty by marrying and getting an heir or two. It was a dull prospect, but no longer unbearable, as it had been when he'd left England. Surely he could find a good-tempered young woman who would make him a comfortable, undemanding wife. He did not expect great love. That came only once in a lifetime.
    Gavin added some figures to a sheet of paper he produced from an inside pocket. "I'm late for a meeting at Consoo House. Will you ask Jin Kang to write this letter to Pao Tien, the merchant who sent me this tea sample? I need to place an order."
    "Can Jin read English?" Kyle asked, surprised.
    "I doubt it. Just read the letter out loud. He'll translate it into Chinese and add all the right flowery phrases."
    "I'll take care of it right away." Kyle was glad of an excuse to seek Jin Kang out. Perhaps he could learn why the young man had made such an impression on him at their first meeting.
    He was turning to leave when Gavin said, "Don't forget that tonight is the grand dinner in your honor at the English Factory."
    Kyle groaned. "I've been doing my best to forget it. Why do the East India Company fellows feel the need to give me an official welcome? I've already met every Western trader in Canton, I think."
    "Because there's damned little to do in Canton. No wives or mistresses allowed, all of us