Madame Sato went before me to the bottom of the winding footpath, her tiny geta grinding softly upon the gravel walk. Even after she stopped at the street, I couldn’t look her in the eye. I didn’t want to lose composure publicly, or indeed anywhere. Having left the farmhouse, I couldn’t be sure of our privacy. Our fraud was dangerous enough to make me wary of speaking aloud, even considering my eagerness to confront Madame.
A stiff wind whistled down the mountain, disheveling our careful coiffure. It tugged at our elaborate robes and we struggled to keep neat as we hastened inside the protection of the old inn. With the slam of the shoji doors, I could no longer withhold a hoarse, whispered accusation, “What have you done?”
For a brief moment, Madame’s supreme dignity failed. Her disheveled head hung in shame and she whispered, “Pity me, Furi, Pity me. I am a childless mother who only wanted to see her babies grow up and prosper.”
“I shall pity you, and myself also, when we are discovered. I cannot carry off this deception!”
“Oh, Furi. You are always underestimating your own talents. You can carry this off without a tremor if you wish to.”
“And worse, I can no longer trust you, which will be an even greater liability to us!”
“Why not trust me? As my daughter, I can give you everything! Every cent of our earnings. What use do I have for a fortune?”
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“You have forced me into a position I despise! And I don’t want your money!”
“What is so wrong with this position? It is powerful. It is full of life and potential!”
“It is full of vulnerability! Already Lady Nobu’s eldest is laying traps for me!”
This silenced Madame, but only for a moment. “I have taught you how to avoid these traps. You are quick. You can evade her with strength and dignity.”
Now it was my turn to be silent, because I had weaknesses Madame Sato knew nothing of.
* * *
Confronting Madame did little good. After all, she had made her move publicly, and it couldn’t be taken back. And to be honest, after seeing Ansei, I couldn’t think of running. My only thought was to find a way to speak to him without eroding my fraudulent identity.
Yet, I wondered how I had failed to consider Madame’s motives from the beginning. Too late, I had begun to see some greater strategy at play.
She revealed a fraction of that interest, speaking in whispers as we soaked together in the mineral bath. “No one knows yet the true weaver is you, but everyone is wondering who is behind our fabrics. They expect me to reveal the truth this visit. And so I will.”
I nodded, not of agreement, but of understanding. I would cooperate with Madame’s plan, but only to a point.
“Of course, there will be doubt. I expect someone to try and test you. Others will request, nay—demand—to buy your work, or to make their own orders with new requirements. But we can ask for any price. And we will.”
I knew Madame’s asking price would differ from mine, but I was determined mine should be the price honored, and was prepared to out maneuver Madame on this front.
I would buy Ansei’s freedom, however my reputation might suffer in the bargain. Madame would not succeed in effecting her greater scheme if I could help it.
“You will keep me informed of Kiyo’s attempts to trap you, please,” Madame said, though I knew it was not a request.
“Of course,” I agreed. But like Madame had done previously, I lied.