His arm was healing well and Misaki told me he only wore a light bandage under the sleeve of his kimono. I bowed. ‘Would you like some tea, sir?’ ‘No, thank you. I just came to deliver this to Misaki.’ He held up a letter. His wife brightened. ‘Is it from —’ ‘It’s from Rin-san.’ I stiffened. ‘From Rin-san?’ Misaki’s surprise mirrored mine, though there was no trace in her voice of the fear that now coursed through me. ‘What does it say?’ ‘She’s inviting you to join her and a few of the other ladies on an excursion to Hakone. You must have made a good impression.’ Misaki gave an exclamation of pleasure just as I said, ‘We can’t go.’ The words had shot out of my mouth before I could stop them. Misaki’s expression faltered. ‘We can’t? Why not?’ I opened my mouth then closed it again. My mistress and her husband were both staring at me, clearly startled by my outburst. But what could I say? I couldn’t tell them that the daimyo’s sister-in-law suspected Misaki of spying.
