In no time at all there was the greatest free-for-all, traders against the rest. I think we won. Then home to bed though, er, a few, repaired to Naughty Nellie's."

"You too?"

"Well, yes but only for a nightcap, her champagne's the best and cheapest in Yokohama."

"And the girls?"

McFay laughed again. "Nothing like Mrs.Fortheringill's Establishment for Young Ladies in Hong Kong! There're about a dozen birds, most from the East End via Hong Kong, a few from Sydney in Australia, daughters of women convicts who've served their time and stayed on.

They're all a bit grotty, and not to my taste." Filled with bonhommie he greeted passersby and added without thinking, "My needs are more than well looked after by Nemi." He glanced at Struan and saw the stretched face. His good humor vanished and he cursed himself for mentioning her. "You all right, Tai-pan?"

"Yes, yes of course," Struan said, abruptly filled with envy at the other man's strength and virility, not loathing him for it, just himself. "Can't bear being like this, Jamie, hate it.

Hate it! Christ, it's so difficult to be patient. I've just got to, I know that." He forced a smile. "Nemi? Oh yes, she seemed a nice girl. Pretty." With a vast effort Struan tore his mind off Shizuka and his failure, his frantic need to succeed with Angelique, and to weather the shoals ahead and coming tempest his mother was bound to generate. One thing at a time. Gear yourself to get through church, then through the rest of the day until six o'clock when Ah Tok will bring you the medicine: "Would you like a little before you go to your temple, my son?"' "No thank you, Mother, once a day is enough.

The doctor said I should be careful."

"What do foreign devils know?"' "Ayeeyah, I'm a foreign devil."

"Ayeeyah, yes, but you're my son..."

Ah Tok's such an old biddy. But then I can trust her. No harm in a little once a day.

I can quit anytime, anytime, he reassured himself. Don't need it during the day though it certainly helps. Got to decide about Mother's letter, got to write her by tomorrow's mail. Got to.

Her letter had been delivered by hand from the mail ship by special courier, inevitably a relation of their compradore, Gordon Chen. Again it had had no "P.s. I love you." Again the secret message had infuriated him: Malcolm: Have you gone totally dotty?

Engagement party? After I warned you? Why on earth did you totally disregard my letter and my urgent summons to return? If it wasn't for Dr. Hoag's medical report received today with the unbelievable news I would have presumed you had head injuries as well as the terrible sword wounds. I have demanded our Governor take the most stringent measures against these uncivilized beasts and bring the violators to the Queen's justice at once! If he doesn't, I warned him personally that the whole force of the Noble House will be arranged against this administration!

Enough of that. It is VITAL that you return to Hong Kong at once to make final three matters--of course I am prepared to forgive your transgression, you are still so very young, you have been through a terrible experience and have fallen into the clutches of an exceedingly clever woman. I thank God you are gaining strength every day. From Dr. Hoag's report, thankfully you should certainly be fit enough to travel by the time you receive this (i have instructed Dr. Hoag to return with you and hold him personally responsible for your safety). I have booked passage for you both on the mail ship--not for her, deliberately.

It is essential you come back QUICKLY AND ALONE: first to formally become tai-pan. yr grandfather left specific instructions, in writing, that MUST be complied with before you LEGALLY become tai-pan of Struan's whatever your father or I leave to you by will. Before your father died, in your absence, my son, he made me swear what had to be sworn and that I would swear you to these same conditions. This must be done quickly.

Second: because we must decide at once how to combat Tyler Brock's attack on us--I mentioned before that he has the full support of the Victoria Bank and today threatens to foreclose on our promissory notes that will ruin us if successful. Gordon Chen has suggested a solution but it is terribly risky, may not be put to paper, and requires the tai-pan's signature and participation. My stepbrother "Sir" Morgan Brock has just arrived in Hong Kong and is flaunting his knighthood that he only acquired by persuading his heirless father-in-law to adopt him who then, conveniently and almost at once thereafter, died.

Was the poor man assisted? God forgive me but I would not doubt it. Both he and Tyler Brock openly claim that by Christmas they will have us humbled and they will be in possession of our Steward's box at the races in Happy Valley. The voting for a new Steward was yesterday. As per your grandfather's wishes on your behalf I again blackballed him. God forgive me but I hate my father so much I almost become mad.

Third: your entrapment! I could not believe my ears about this "engagement party" until it was confirmed. I hope by now, I pray God, your good sense has returned and you realize what has happened to you. Fortunately of course you cannot marry without my approval and certainly not the Catholic daughter of a runaway embezzler (there are warrants out to seize him for debts).

In fairness I do understand you. Gordon Chen explained how easy it would be for a youth like you to be embroiled so do not despair. We have a plan that will extract you from her toils and prove to you conclusively that she is just a--sorry my son but I have to be blunt--just a jezebel.

When you marry your wife must be English, God-fearing, never a heretic, a lady of good family, trained and at ease in SOCIETY and worthy to be your wife, bringing you a suitable dowry and qualities to assist your future. When the time comes you will have many suitable ladies to choose from.

By the same mail I have written Dr.Hoag, and also McFay expressing my shock that he allowed this engagement stupidity to happen. I look forward to embracing you in a few days. your loving Mother.

Almost at once Jamie had rushed into the room, white-faced. "She's heard!"

"I know that. Never mind."

"Jesus Christ, Malcolm, you can't just say never mind!" McFay spluttered, practically incoherent. He offered him the letter that shook in his hand. "Here, read it for yourself."

The letter, without any form of greeting, was just signed Tess Struan: Unless you have a satisfactory explanation why you permitted my son (though he is to be tai-pan you must know is still a minor) to become engaged without first obtaining my approval--which you MUST know would never be forthcoming for such an unsuitable match, you will cease to head Struan's in Japan at the end of the year. Put Mr.Vargas in charge for the moment and return with my son on the mail ship to settle this matter.

Struan had angrily shoved the letter back.

"I'm not going back to Hong Kong yet-- I'll go when I choose."

"Christ Jesus, Malcolm, if she orders us back then we had better go. There're reasons th--"' "No!" he had flared. "Understand? No!"

"For God's sake, open your eyes to the truth," McFay had flared back. "You are under age, she is running the company and has been for years. We're under her orders an--"' "I'm not under her orders, any orders.

Get out!"

"I won't! Can't you see what she asks is wise and no hardship. We can be back here in two to three weeks, you have to get her approval sometime, surely it's better to try now, it'll clear the air for you and make our job easier an--"' "No! And... and I'm cancelling her orders: I order you. I'm tai-pan of Struan's!"

"Christ, you must know I can't go against her!"

Struan almost faltered in his steps remembering the dreadful stab of pain in his loins as he had thoughtlessly scrambled out of his chair to his feet and shouted at McFay: "You fucking listen, I remind you of your sacred oath to serve the tai-pan, the tai-pan for Christ's sake, whoever he is, the tai-pan, not his fucking mother!