The Peony Lantern Read Online Free PDF

praises?! I knew better than to argue. And admittedly Father’s story was more plausible than the truth: that Shimizu had decided to offer me a position in his household after Father had complained about me. Probably the samurai had felt sorry for me.
    Father said to his friend gloomily, ‘Though I fear that once he discovers what she’s like he’ll send her back at once. It’ll be a miracle if he keeps her beyond Fukushima.’
    At that moment Lord Shimizu came through the gate reserved for the use of samurai, and we all turned and bowed. He was accompanied by a much younger man, perhaps eighteen or nineteen, I thought — maybe two or three years older than me. Shimizu himself was closer to my father in age. Both men were dressed for travelling in three-quarter-length coats, lifted at the back by the swords they wore, and knee-length breeches with leggings. Their round flat hats would protect them from both sun and rain.
    As the samurai approached, my father bowed. ‘As sorry as I am to lose my favourite daughter’ (was it my imagination, or was Shimizu trying to repress a smile?) ‘I know Kasumi will serve you well.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ Lord Shimizu responded. ‘I’m sure my wife will be delighted with her.’ He gestured to the young man beside him. ‘This is my nephew Shimizu Isamu. Isamu, this is the girl I told you about. She’s to be a companion and lady-in-waiting to Misaki. Will you ensure she has a comfortable journey?’
    â€˜Yes, Uncle.’
    As Isamu stepped forwards, I saw that he was tall, at least a head taller than me, with regular features thatwould have been unremarkable but for his eyes, which sparkled with a lively curiosity. I drew in a breath as I realised it was the young samurai I had seen at the shrine the day before.
    â€˜Kasumi-san, how do you do?’ he said as we bowed to each other. Apart from a brief narrowing of his eyes, he gave no sign of recognition.
    â€˜I am very well, thank you,’ I replied formally, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks as I remembered how I had presumed to feel a connection between us; of course, I’d had no idea then just how far above me he was.
    As he moved off to talk to a manservant standing with the porters, I heard someone calling my name.
    â€˜Kasumi!’ Chiyo ran up. ‘I was afraid I’d miss you. Here.’ She pressed something into my hand.
    I looked down to see a small paper amulet.
    â€˜It’s for protection,’ she said. ‘Especially when you’re climbing the Torii pass.’ The Torii was the highest pass on the Nakasendo highway.
    â€˜It’s haunted by the ghosts of five hundred samurai who died in an attack there,’ she explained.
    â€˜Thank you,’ I said, clutching it. I hadn’t known to fear five hundred ghosts, but now that I did I was glad of the amulet.
    Isamu returned to say, ‘We’re ready to leave now, Kasumi-san.’
    I saw Chiyo’s eyes widen as the young samurai moved off to join his uncle.
    I nudged her. ‘Don’t even think it,’ I said. ‘He’s Lord Shimizu’s nephew.’
    â€˜Be careful with the plates,’ she murmured, then ran off.
    My father and Kimura accompanied us as we followed the road past the notice board and the water mill, past the carp rock. When we reached the outskirts of the village, my father said gruffly, ‘Be a good girl and don’t disgrace us.’ His eyebrows were drawn together in a frown, but I was sure I could hear some emotion in his voice.
    And then we were leaving the houses behind, the road ascending the side of the valley towards the ruins of the old castle and then snaking through the forest on the way to the next town. To our left the hill dropped away to rice fields, and I could see the bent backs of farmers at their planting.
    The porters walked in front, followed by Lord Shimizu. His servant, a man introduced as Haru,