The Samurai's Garden (8 page)

The conversation still hadn't convinced her she should marry Hiro. Even if her mother had been a member of the Nanbu Clan, Hanako had no idea how to speak or how to act if she were to meet them. Her rough speech and manners would surely be an embarrassment to a man like Hiro. Perhaps Nakamura-san might agree to coach her in some of the ways of a lady.

But her discussion with the Widow Nakamura had given her the confidence to accept Hiro and Ginjiro's proposal to build a home in exchange for their food, lodging, and "instruction". She knew this agreement would be followed by a hard decision about marriage, but practicality was behind her decision to accept the offer to build. No matter how successful the harvest, she still would not have enough money or time to build a barn for her animals. Taking the offer would ensure her animals would have protection from the harsh winter.

She had not told Hiro or anyone else about the amazing discovery of her mother's family. After all, the Nanbu Clan had disowned her mother and would probably not acknowledge her. Hiro would not be impressed at her noble lineage, especially since her mother had chosen a nobody, who had not been able to keep up this small farm. No, if Hiro really wanted to marry her, he would have to accept her lowly status.

For now, she would concentrate on getting her farm up and running to the point where she could go on alone. Nakamura-san had told her that the agreement Hiro and Ginjiro had drawn up was fair, and she trusted the woman. The agreement gave her the means to build the structures necessary for her animals, and a warmer, safer home for herself.

This would be enough. For now.

"Hana-chan."

The deep voice never failed to excite her. Hearing him shorten her name with the endearing "chan" suffix sent warmth down her spine. She rose and turned to see him, his hair tousled and his chest gleaming with sweat. She quickly turned her gaze downward. Another mistake. The rest of him was just as appetizing.

"What is it, Tanaka-san?"

She saw his body tense, as if insulted by her formality. His broad chest expanded as he took a deep, calming breath. Fortunately, he chose to put her response aside and go on. "Come with me, please. The builders need your opinion on something." He turned and strode away, leaving her to follow.

For the next hour, she followed him around the site, listening to explanations as the head builder related the choices to be made. Hanako was lost. She had absolutely no understanding of what she was asked to choose. What did it matter to her whether the panels on the shoji screens were decorated with cranes or plants, or whether the weave in the tatami mats went in one direction or the other? She had never lived in a home with either luxury.

Seeing her distress, Hiro asked, "What would
you
recommend?"

The craftsman, obviously pleased to have the customer defer to his expertise, made recommendations. After thoughtful consideration, Hiro nodded in agreement.

The experience gave her further proof she was not fit to be a wealthy man's wife.

When the outer walls of the new home were erected, Hanako insisted the two men should move to the larger structure. Since they did so much of the farm work, she felt guilty about them staying in the tiny hut. If and when she and Hiro married, she would move to the larger home. If not, Hiro would leave eventually, and the home would be hers anyway. Now plans were drawn for another house, this one for Ginjiro.

She had expected the progress on the buildings would be slow, since her "apprentices" continued to spend a considerable amount of time in the fields with her. But each day, a crew of men arrived, checked in with Hiro, and went to work on the new structure. Instead of the circular, reed-covered walls common to the area, straight walls of fine lumber were erected, higher than she had ever seen except in pictures of the great temples. The interior was divided into sections. Having lived in a one-room hut all her life, she wasn't sure she could become accustomed to so much space.

Hiro said they needed room for their children.
Children.
She would love to have children. A little boy, a strong, miniature version of Hiro. Or a little girl she could dress in lovely clothes. She would sing lullabies to them and cherish them. There would be happiness, and laughter.

But what if she were barren?

Her heart clenched at the possibility. She and Kenji had never conceived. What would Hiro do if she were unable to give him a son? Would he go elsewhere? Would he divorce her? Or would he turn to a concubine and bring home another woman's son for her to raise?

She decided to bury her worries in work. Despite the distractions from the builders, the threesome got a lot of farming done. Hanako continued to be amazed at the amount of produce that came from her tiny farm. Each week, she and Hiro would go into town with a cart piled high with vegetables and herbs. At the end of each trip, she tried to share the earnings with Hiro and Ginjiro, but both men steadfastly refused to take anything but a mere pittance, insisting that she set aside the majority of the cash for the winter months, and for purchasing additional livestock and supplies in the spring.

The Widow Nakamura had invited her to tea, and Hiro insisted she go. "You should become friends with your neighbors," he advised her. "There may be a time when you will be of great assistance to each other."

So Hanako accepted, bathing in the stream and dressing carefully in her better kimono. She brushed her waist-long ebony hair until it shone, and then tied it carefully behind her neck with strips of fabric. The dusty road and the long walk nearly negated her attempt at tidiness, but she wanted to look her best. Her apparel was not as nice as the widow's lowest servants, but the widow always received her with a warm smile, making her forget her shabby clothes. The older woman, though obviously well-educated and high-born, had a down-to-earth manner and outlook on life. Reiko was definitely in charge of the house, but treated her children and her servants with kindness.

Just like Hiro.

The thought came to her as she trudged along the road to the Nakamura home. Hiro and the Widow Nakamura had much in common. With them, she never felt small. She was treated as an equal. And this was why she trusted them, and why she was able to voice her thoughts with Reiko.

Today, the widow waited for her in the lush gardens beside her home.

"Good morning, Hanako," she called.

"Good morning, Nakamura-san," Hanako replied, stopping to bow respectfully.

"It is such a lovely day. I thought we would have our tea out here in the garden."

Hanako nodded her assent, and Reiko led the way through the garden to an open structure about the size of Hanako's hut. Under the roof, a small, low table held a plate of appetizing treats. Reiko gestured toward one of the silky cushions beside the table. "Please sit down. Chidori-san will bring the tea shortly."

Hanako knelt on the cushion, looking around her at the colorful garden. It was such a peaceful spot. Her mother had grown flowers like these all around their hut. Hanako remembered the colors, the fragrance, and the brightness they had provided to their drab surroundings. Had the castle in Mutsu boasted a large garden, with a place to sit and entertain guests?

Reiko settled herself on the cushion opposite Hanako, smiling serenely as she poured the tea. Hanako reached out to pick up the fragile cup, carefully lifting it to sip the fragrant brew.

For a moment she remembered Kenji's mocking words when she had wanted to purchase a tea set in the marketplace. "Why would you need something like that? You don't need nice cups for the slop we drink. It would be a waste!"

If only you could see me now
.
I am drinking fine tea out of a lovely cup while seated on a silk cushion in a beautiful garden
.

"How is the construction of your new home coming along?" The widow asked.

Hanako didn't know where to begin. "It seems very large," she managed. "I don't know why I would need so much room."

"A wealthy samurai and his wife should live in a home befitting his station."

"Wife? But—" Hanako struggled to voice her thoughts. How could she explain her hesitation to marry? Any other woman would not hesitate to accept the advances made by a man like Hiro, whether or not they included the offer of marriage. But Hanako wasn't any other woman.

"Are you afraid of marriage to the samurai?"

"No," Hanako admitted. "Actually I was afraid the home is large so I would agree to—" She gasped as she realized what she was about to say.

The older woman waited patiently, her eyes full of understanding. She grasped Hanako's hand, encouraging her to continue. When it was apparent that wasn't going to happen, she squeezed her grasp.

"You don't want to be bought, to be kept as a concubine. Even when your father and husband were with you, you were independent and made decisions that kept your family fed. It goes against your nature to allow someone else to share the burden of the work and the financial worries, because it also means you would give up your freedom."

Hanako gazed in shocked admiration at this woman who had pinpointed her feelings and articulated them so clearly. How had she known?

Nakamura-san smiled in understanding. "We are kindred spirits, you and I. I have not struggled financially, as you have, but like you, I fought to be heard in a man's world. My father despaired of my ever finding a husband because I was too outspoken, too independent, too opinionated. But there are men who appreciate those qualities, and I believe Tanaka-san is one of them."

Hanako beamed with happiness. Her neighbor understood her so well.

"But how can I be sure about Hiro?"

Reiko shrugged. "I suppose one can never be sure how things will turn out in the end. I knew my husband would remain faithful and would provide for me and for our children as long as he lived. But I didn't know he would die relatively young. If I had known ahead of time, I may have wavered. But I can't regret the decision I made. We had less than twenty years together, but they were full of joy, and I have four fine sons who bear his name and give testimony to his character."

Hanako thought about that for a moment. Hiro had never given her reason to doubt his character, but she had only known him for a few months.

Her concern must have shown in her face, because Reiko surprised her yet again.

"I hope you are not offended, but since you have no family, I have taken the liberty of standing in as your mother and have sent an investigator to Tokyo to find out about Tanaka-san's family and his character."

Hanako sat up in surprise. She felt her jaw drop and her eyes widen in disbelief. Remembering her manners, she quickly averted her gaze away from direct eye contact with the older woman.

"I — I am honored that you would be so concerned for me."

The widow leaned toward her, with a maternal expression of concern. "I never had a daughter, Hanako. If I had, I would wish her to be as strong and disciplined as you. Since your mother and I were acquaintances, I feel she would want to know about an intended husband for you, especially since your first experience was so — painful. Tanaka-san seems like the perfect husband, but we will have to be sure. When my investigator returns, we will talk again."