by Taylor Lee
“Qui, Mere,” Agatha said with a smug smile, as Sarah quickly echoed her reply.
“How many languages do you speak, Bai,” asked Sarah who was seated on his right.
Bai smiled disarmingly. “Several.”
Wan interjected. “Bai is too modest. He speaks five languages fluently.”
“Really,” said Agatha, practically drooling. “Do tell. Obviously French and English are two of them. What are the others?”
Bai responded with a good natured grin.
“French and Chinese are my native languages. I acquired English, Spanish, and Russian in my travels.”
Ignoring the rapt looks of his wife and sister and their daughters, Governor Sampson asked, “Why French and Chinese, Bai? I would think English would be one of your native languages.”
“No, I was born in France. I lived there until I came to this country when I was eleven years old. My father is Chinese. My mother is French. I learned Spanish, Russian, and a smattering of Italian and Greek traveling in Europe. I didn’t learn English until I was nearly twelve, which accounts for my occasional lack of fluency and lapses into French.”
“Sorry to join the third degree, Bai, but, I’m curious,” Wyatt asked with a pleasant smile. “How did you end up in California with Wan?”
“I wanted to leave France, but more important I wanted to come to America. My family had connections and Wan took me in. You might say it was my destiny.”
“Hmm, that’s interesting. You wanted to be part of the new world rather than the old?”
“That is perceptive, Wyatt. That is precisely why I came.”
“How fortunate you were to be born in Europe, and France of all places!” Ginny Sampson purred enthusiastically.
Bai smiled to himself at her transparency. He was accustomed to the many nouveau riche Americans he met, who like Ginny, saw Europe as a cultural icon compared to the untamed roughness of the western United States. Confirming her pretensions, Ginny grasped his hand and fastened her bright eyes on his face, as if they were fellow travelers, kindred spirits.
“Bai, I would love to compare notes. In all your travels, what is your favorite place in the world? I am assuming France, given your obvious interest in culture, but what is next?”
Bai responded pleasantly, as he withdrew his hand. Glancing from person to person, he spoke to the group at large.
“Yes, I love France and most of Europe. I have a soft spot for Switzerland because I enjoyed skiing as a boy. However, if I had to choose where I want to spend the majority of my time, it is where I am now, California.”
“Really.” said Sarah in disbelief. “ I would so love to travel to Europe more frequently, but Father only lets Mama and me escape once a year. Don’t you, you mean old thing, you,” she said with a simpering smile at her father.
Governor Sampson shook his head and muttered “Women!”
Throughout the conversation, Elena looked down at the table, or occasionally at her father. She acknowledged his encouraging smile, but then looked back at the table. Bai saw her distracted look and was concerned. He was annoyed with the four women who had joined together, peppering him with questions while making a point of excluding Elena. He knew Meg and Ginny were staking him out as a potential suitor for one of their daughters. Clearly they did not want to shift the focus to the lovely Elena.
Greg also seemed aware of the slight and attempted to include her in the conversation. He turned to Elena with a bright smile. “Where is your favorite place to go when you travel, Elena?”
She looked at him surprised, then flushed. “I’m sorry, what was your question? I apologize. My mind wandered.”
Bai smiled at her, interjecting smoothly, “I’m not surprised your mind wandered, Elena. Mine is beginning to, as well.”
Determined to move the conversation away from him and to include Elena, Bai turned to the two young women hanging on his every word.
“Tell me, Sarah and Agatha, what do you do in your spare time? We know that, among other things, Elena is a kung fu master. What kinds of things interest you young ladies?”
Bai wasn’t surprised that Meg Peters jumped in before either girl could answer. Her unhappiness with her brother, the governor, for making such a fuss over Elena at the expense of her daughter and niece, was apparent.
“Bai, you of all people know what sophisticated young women do. The girls have been thoroughly trained in deportment and all the social skills. They are excellent hostesses and conversationalists -- witty, perceptive, and attentive,” she said, glancing with a pointed look at Elena, who was looking down playing with her napkin.
Ginny Sampson took the bait, adding other accomplishments. “The girls do beautiful needlework, practice their French, of course, and both Sarah and Agatha are accomplished musicians.”
She turned to Elena with a brittle smile, “And, my dear, when you aren’t fighting, what do you do with your time?”
For the first time in the evening, Elena seemed to focus on the conversation. She looked up, her gaze sweeping the table. As she looked at each of the four women, her eyes hardened.
“Well, Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Sampson,” she said, nodding to each of them sweetly, “Let me think. Like all girls who grew up on a ranch in the wilds of western Wyoming, in addition to riding my horse and practicing my ‘fighting,’ I spend a good deal of my time ‘charming’ the ranch hands.”
Governor Sampson threw back his head and roared.
“Well, Meg, and, you too, Ginny, I think this sweet little filly put you two in your place, but good. And I bet you do charm those ranch hands, Elena, if my son and my chief of staff are any example of your talents.”
Wyatt had been leaning back in his chair staring coldly at Meg and Ginny until Elena spoke up. Elena smiled when he gave her a broad wink, as did Wan. Bai stifled a grin, but couldn’t hide the twinkle in his eyes.
“Really, Bradley, you don’t have to be crude. I’m sure Wyatt and Mr. Chang do not appreciate your calling Elena a filly. That is some kind of a horse, for goodness sakes,” Meg replied, her face was red, annoyed.
Wyatt grinned. “To the contrary, Brad. In addition to her other talents, Elena is a horse whisperer and loves horses. I think she considers being called a filly a compliment, don’t you, darlin’?”
Elena smiled and nodded.
Wan’s normally stern face softened when he looked at his granddaughter with obvious pride. “In addition to working with horses, Elena is also what we call a healer. The reason she is in California is to do an internship with Dr. Nuong Li at the University of San Francisco this fall. Dr. Li is the most renowned Chinese healer in the country and recognized throughout the world. Elena is the first non-Chinese he has agreed to teach. She is by far the youngest of his apprentices.”
Governor Sampson whistled. “That is impressive, Elena. Beautiful and smart – quite a combination.”
“And how fortunate to have such a brilliant well-respected grandfather, Elena. I am sure Dr. Li considers it a privilege to work with Wan Chang’s granddaughter, not to mention the daughter of a governor,” Ginny Sampson said, her lips pressed in a thin smile.
Wyatt leaned back in his chair. His eyes darkened threateningly. Wan’s face became a stony mask but before either of them spoke, Bai stepped in. His face and voice were gracious but his words had an ominous undertone.
“What you suggest, Ginny, is quite different from the reality. As I understand it, Elena presented herself using her mother’s maiden name, Comstock. It was only after Dr. Li had accepted her that he learned her propitious heritage.”
“Oh, my, I didn’t mean to imply that Elena isn’t talented…” Ginny said, as though surprised by Bai’s reaction.
“Hell, mother,” Peter Sampson broke in, “I think that is damn impressive. Sarah and I, and you, too, Agatha,” he said nodding to his sister and cousin, “we all trade shamelessly on the fact that the governor is our father and uncle, don’t we, girls?”
“Really, Peter, I am shock
ed by your crude language and your insulting insinuation about your sister and cousin.” Ginny glared at her son, two angry red blotches marking her cheeks.
Peter looked at his mother, annoyance clouding his earnest youthfulness. He gazed at Elena, his face flushed with admiration.
“Are you really a horse whisperer, Elena? How exciting and how challenging, especially for a young woman. Have you saved many horses with your talents?”
Elena had been looking down at her hands during the conversation about her internship. She studied Peter for a moment, seeming to decide whether she would respond. She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye.
“Yes, Peter, I have. My skill is saving horses that people who are not whisperers give up on. I’m almost always successful, if I am given a chance.” Elena’s expression hardened. She looked directly at Bai her eyes flashing. He frowned slightly then nodded and held her gaze until she flushed and looked down.
Peter looked uncomfortable, glancing from Elena to Bai with a questioning look. “I apologize. Did I say something that upset you, Elena?” Peter asked seeing her obvious distress.
As though just realizing that he had spoken to her again, Elena said, “I’m sorry, did you ask me a question?”
Peter shook his head and put his hand over hers in a protective gesture. Elena looked down at his hand, as if surprised to see it there, and pulled hers away. Wan and Wyatt exchanged a concerned glance.
Before either of them had a chance to speak, Governor Sampson waded into the strained silence.
“You seem quiet tonight, Elena. I am accustomed to seeing you the way you are at all the governor’s balls and other parties I’ve seen you at in Wyoming. Don’t tell me that you think Wyoming is gayer, livelier than California?”
Elena stared at him. Her eyes were wide, dark, with more than a hint of unshed tears. Her voice was solemn. “I’m experiencing things in California that I never did in Wyoming, Governor Sampson. I am learning to adjust to the changes. But I haven’t learned to put a pleasant face on my confusion. Perhaps some day I will be as adept at hiding my feelings as Sarah and Agatha are. Right now it is overwhelming to me.”
For the next thirty minutes, Bai took control of the dinner conversation, skillfully batting it back and forth to Wyatt and Wan, covering a wide range of topics. None of them made an effort to include Elena. She sat quietly, her face flushed and beautiful, but obviously not interested in participating. Because of the skill of her protectors, her silence was barely noticeable. Bai saw the looks Wyatt and Wan exchanged. He agreed they had made a mistake encouraging her to attend the dinner so soon after the attack at the waterfall. The three of them gave a collective sigh of relief when the dinner was over and it was time for the men to retreat to the library for cigars, brandy, and serious conversation.
Wyatt and Elena were the last to leave the dining room. Bai saw Elena tug her father to the side and overheard her impassioned plea.
“Please, Father. Please don’t make me go with those awful women. Let me come to the library. I promise I won’t talk. Better yet, may I go back to my chambers?”
“Honey, you know if it was up to me, you could do either. I’m sorry, darlin.’ Wan sees you as his hostess tonight. It looks like you’re stuck with the ladies.”
Elena shook her head in dismay, but nodded when her father leaned down and kissed her.
“It’s just another hour or so, honey. You can do it. You’re my girl!”
Bai waited until Wyatt followed the other men into the library then caught up with Elena.
“I want to talk with you later tonight, Elena. Please wait for me after our guests leave. Oui, cherie?”
She tossed her head and didn’t answer. Looking straight ahead as though she was walking up to a guillotine, she went to join the ladies in the formal sitting room.
Bai grinned at her fierce expression, then walked in to the library to join the other men.
~~~
“Well, now that you have met her, are you surprised?” asked Meg in a loud whisper.
“I certainly am not,” said Ginny. “Her stepmother, Lei, is the picture of refinement and culture. Unfortunately, they let Elena run wild. This is the result.”
Sarah’s thin, pinched face hardened in an ugly smirk. “Going swimming by herself miles away from the villa? What does she expect? In my mind, she deserved whatever she got.”
Elena stood in the shadow of the doorway, shocked when she realized these hateful women were talking about her. Her heart slammed against the wall of her chest with such ferocity she thought she might faint. Their casual viciousness stunned her. Grasping the doorframe to keep from falling, she willed her wildly trembling legs not to not to crumble.
“She didn’t have a mark on her from what I could tell. So much for resisting,” Agatha said with a snort.
Elena gasped. A low, keening cry escaped her lips. All four women turned to the doorway in surprise. Fighting a wall of tears, Elena met Ginny’s gaze.
The diminutive viper had the decency to flush. Then with a haughty lift of her chin, she sniffed indifferently, as though Elena wasn’t present. In a voice cultivated by years of deportment training, she said, “Perhaps it will prove useful to this wayward girl to know how proper ladies view her conduct.”
Without a trace of embarrassment, the other women shrugged in agreement, as the door slammed behind Elena.
~~
Chapter 11
Elena ran to her chambers, slamming and locking the door behind her. She tore off her clothes and threw herself on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The tears that threatened throughout the evening coursed down her cheeks in a steady river of pain, pooling by her ears in a damp puddle.
As stunned as she was at the casual cruelty of the women in the sitting room, she was more devastated that those women knew about the waterfall. Dear God, did everyone know? Governor Sampson? Peter? Greg? They must. Who told them? Her father or her grandfather never would. Would Bai? He was angry with her, wanted to punish her, but would he tell those hateful women? Like Bai, those women thought she deserved it. She deserved to be attacked, even raped. Her mind whirled with emotions, questions, and fears. Wracked by blinding humiliation that the world knew her shame, she had a fierce desire to escape, to make it all go away.
When she heard her father and Wan say good night amidst the clatter of carriage wheels and horses hoofs, she knew she had to leave her chambers. She couldn’t bear to talk to Wyatt or Wan or, God forbid, to Bai. She threw on a nightgown and robe and fled to the garden. Looking up at the moon shining in the starlit night, a welcoming orb of infinite comfort, she begged an angel to come down to earth and sweep her up to the sky. Knowing how unlikely that was, she sunk to the ground, laid her head on the stony edge of the fountain, and wept.
~~~
Bai went to the sitting room to accompany the women out to their waiting carriages. He was surprised Elena wasn’t there.
When they joined the men in the courtyard, he looked over at Wyatt. “Where is Elena?”
Before Wyatt could respond, Sarah broke in with a harsh laugh. “She chose not to join us. Apparently, Elena doesn’t like to spend time with women. She seems to prefer the company of multiple men.”
Bai, Nianzu, Wyatt, and Wan froze as one, piercing her with a mutual glare.
Seemingly unaware of their hosts’ reaction to Sarah’s tasteless remark, Peter and Greg both chuckled. Greg said, “I wish I had known that. I happily would have foregone one more political discussion to spend quiet time with the beautiful Elena.”
Peter nodded in agreement.
His sister said with a loud sniff, “You men are so predictable.”
~~~
After they left, Bai went to Elena’s chambers and knocked on the door. Like Wyatt and Wan, he knew that they should not have encouraged her to attend the dinner. Christ, what did we expect? She had had a hell of a three days. With a twinge of regret, he knew his conversation with her this afternoon hadn’t helped. He wanted to
talk to her, to tell her he was proud of her, she had done well. When she didn’t answer after several minutes of knocking, he tried the door but it was locked. Deciding she must be sleeping, he walked back to his office through the garden. When he turned the corner, he heard her sobs. He called out to her softly not wanting to frighten her.
“Elena, it’s me, Bai. What is wrong, cherie? Why are you crying?”
She leapt to her feet, staggering away from him.
To his surprise, she lashed out angrily. “Why do you care? And don’t come near me. Don’t you dare! You told them, didn’t you?”
Bai frowned, inching his way toward her.
“Tell who? What? What are you talking about, Elena?”
She sobbed, her face twisting with pain. “Those awful women know what happened to me. And… and… they agree with you! That…that I got what I deserved.”
Trying not to startle her, he moved toward her slowly, carefully.
“Elena, I told you this afternoon that isn’t what I think.”
“Then what did you tell them?” she asked, her voice rising in angry disbelief.
“Elena, I haven’t seen or spoken to any of those women since you were attacked. Moreover, tonight was the first time I had the ‘pleasure’ of meeting Sarah or Agatha and her mother. I regret you overheard their gossip. You have been through a terrible ordeal. It is painful enough without vicious women making it worse. And, yes, unfortunately there has been some talk about the attack. Clint Dunwoody has been vocal about seeking retribution for his men. That is one of the reasons I am fierce about your safety. Fortunately, he has his sights set on me, not you.”
