The Chrysanthemum and the Rose
by DJ Clawson
This is story 9 in the series that started with "A Bit of Advice." You might want to click on my author profile and start with the first one at this point. Otherwise, enjoy!
Chapter 8 - A Fool's Errand
"Are you serious?"
"Do you think I am not capable of being so?"
Brian Maddox paced the study. He and Princess Nadezhda were the first invited guests of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy of Lancashire (excepting George Wickham). They were not told the real reason for the invitation prior to their arrival, but they would not pass on the coveted opportunity to see how Georgie was faring. When she greeted them she was thin, and obviously weak, but she did put up an effort to be pleased at their arrival.
"Honestly, I thought you would support the idea," Georgie said.
"It is very dangerous," Nadezhda said.
"We've no intention of doing anything illegal," Geoffrey assured them.
"Nonetheless, it would be a fool's errand."
"What is the worst that could happen?"
"We all die at sea."
Geoffrey rolled his eyes. "That can happen on the way to France. Aside from that."
Brian stuck his arms into the folds of his kimono. "You are aware that the country does not admit foreigners, except at a certain port, and only for good reason, and only for a limited time. In fact, they may not allow you access to the grounds of Nagasaki at all. The foreigners are hosted at Dejima, a city built on wharfs in the sea, with only bridges connecting them. You have to have permission from the governor to cross the bridge."
"And only during daylight," Nadezhda added.
"And only at great expense," Brian said.
"We have fifty thousand pounds," Georgie offered.
Brian looked at his wife, then back at Geoffrey, "The reason I say it is a fool's errand is not only will you have no access to the country, but as soon as they establish that you have no real business there other than personal, they will simply send you off to Batavia, in Indonesia, to await the ship's return. Or they may exclude Georgie and Alison and send them back but give you permission to stay in Dejima. Even if we could pass you as a company man, we certainly could not for a wife and child, unless the governor is in an exceptionally good mood. In other words you may travel three months – or more – just to turn around and go home again."
"We're willing to take that chance."
Seeing they would not be swayed, Brian nodded to his wife, who turned to Georgie. "Jorgi-chan, there is every reason to believe that Mugen is no longer with us. He has never responded to any of our couriers that we dispatched throughout the country since he sent his sword, and we do not even know that he sent it." The Darcys had not even given the reason they wanted to go to Japan; they did not have to.
Georgie did not wait to formulate an answer. "I know that. And if I have to wait in Batavia while we wait for an answer, I will. But I've never had a chance to write him."
"She's not to be swayed, Mr. Maddox," Geoffrey said.
Brian began pacing again. "You'll have to learn Japanese. Fluently. They will provide interpreters, but I won't leave it to chance."
"I know," Geoffrey said.
"And about their customs, as a misunderstanding will get you killed. It is completely legal to kill foreigners there if they have cause, and they can find one easily enough."
"We know."
"It would take months to arrange the transport. We'll have to go to Holland to catch the ship, arrange for some purpose for you to accompany us – and you will have to eventually get your father to agree."
"My father does not need to agree," Geoffrey replied. "I don't inquire as to his reasons for traveling and he can give his opinion on mine, but I have every intention of doing this and the means to do it."
"It won't be so easy."
"You do not have to tell me that, Mr. Maddox."
Geoffrey did not look even remotely hesitant. Brian looked at his wife again, and sighed. "I'm afraid that though it is to our advantage to do so, we cannot refuse you."
It was the first dinner they hosted as a couple, since the incident, and it was a success. Georgie even laughed a few times, though she tugged on Geoffrey's hand. She looked tired, and there was little after-dinner entertainment. Brian and Nadezhda were ever-accommodating guests, and while Nadezhda went to help Georgie put Alison to bed, Geoffrey sat outside in the brisk fall air with Mr. Maddox, smoking the Indian pipe the latter brought with him. It did not smell of tobacco, and it was much easier on the throat than a cigar, which he found distasteful.
"Good for digestion," Brian said, after teaching him the proper way to hold it.
"Do they smoke in Japan?"
"From little pipes – and tobacco is very expensive. Most people are farmers, and they aren't allowed. It's considered wasteful." He exhaled the apple-scented smoke. "You are asking a lot of yourself. You are a pampered Englishman."
"So are you."
"It was not always this way. I also do not mind being an outcast or a laughingstock."
Geoffrey looked at Mr. Maddox, with one sword in his cloth belt and the other, longer one resting in his lap. "It is very hard to laugh at you."
"How is your fencing? Be honest."
He looked away. "My abilities are limited. If I win, it is because my opponent makes a mistake, or I trick him somehow."
"Have you fenced since Cambridge?"
"A little."
"You're not good enough for the way I fight, are you?"
Geoffrey shook his head. "I can try, but I think it will be too much motion. If I can't keep my head straight, I don't last very long."
"Are you allowed to fire a gun?"
"Yes. I can shoot quite well, actually. I have to wear an earpiece, but it does not distract me."
Brian nodded, playing with the mouthpiece end of the pipe. "If you have a gun, you'll be very safe. The trouble is they'll search you." He rubbed his chin. "We'll have to break the pieces down, and hide them in something else. And you'll have to bring the metal and make your own bullets there. They won't be good bullets, but if they don't explode, that will be good enough."
"Firearms are outlawed in Japan?"
"Not outlawed, but restricted. The shogun – the warlord who controls the kingdom – had them destroyed when he defeated his rivals. He wanted peace, so he disarmed almost everyone. He took swords away from everyone but the samurai, and guns away from everyone but his chosen soldiers. For two hundred years, there has not been a war in Japan, and his dynasty is unchallenged. The guns they do have are often very old technology. Our soldiers would laugh at them."
"Why don't they?"
He shrugged. "Japan is too hard to get to, to launch a serious attack. Perhaps if we conquer India, it will be possible."
They fell into an easy silence. Gawain came up beside Geoffrey and Geoffrey stroked his fur, which had become rougher and grey with age.
"I always thought Georgie would do this," Brian said. "When she married you, it seemed, perhaps not. I was even preparing to give up the thought – until now." He sighed. "There could be some complications if she becomes with child on the journey."
"I don't think that will be a problem."
To Geoffrey's horror, Brian just smiled. "So. That is the state of things."
Geoffrey grumbled and didn't respond.
"There are ways – "
"I know. They don't work."
"Oh. Well, that explains Alison, does it not?" Brian laughed, and Geoffrey's face burned. "You're a married man now. It is a legitimate question to ask, if your wife wants to lay off childbearing."
As horrifying as it was to ask, now he was obligated to. It had never occurred to him that he could simply do so. Brian was right; it was legitimate, with Georgie so weakened by her previous pregnancy. "Do you have a recommendation for a doctor?"
"Don't bother with my brother; he's always stayed away from that end of medicine. You are not, in fact, required to travel very far for your answers." Brian took another puff, and exhaled to blow a ring of smoke. "There was a time when Nadezhda and I had not given up all hope, and were scourging to the ends of the earth – somewhat literally – for an answer."
"I do not understand."
"The process works both ways. There were any number of things – brews, fruits, teas, items – that we were told to stay away from. Things that would decrease fertility, as it was termed. I'll have to discuss it with her, to remember them all."
Geoffrey shielded his eyes from Brian's amused stare. "If you ever tell anyone – "
"There is a lot I do not tell anyone, Mr. Darcy – unless it is relevant. Or especially hilarious. Did I ever tell you of the time I paid a whore to – "
"Yes, you did. Before my wedding, if you don't recall."
"Oh? Oh, yes. I do." He smiled. "Well, I won't embarrass you any further. I do hope I was of some help."
He rose, and bowed very low. "You were, Mr. Maddox."
If only it was that simple. Mr. Reynolds changed him into his bedclothes, he checked on his daughter, and was about to blow out the lights when he heard the sound of weeping. Holding his breath, he opened the door joining his room and Georgie's, which had been closed for months. "Georgie?"
She sat on the bed, her sword on the table with the various odd cleaning tools she used. She was unharmed, but doubled over, her head in her hands. He dared to sit unbidden next to her. "Georgie." She did not resist when he pulled her into his arms. "What is it? What can I do?"
"I don't know. I don't know," she said. "I am happy, I think. I don't know why – " She coughed. "I don't know why I'm crying."
He stroked her hair. "Do you remember it was like this when Alison was born? You would cry for no reason." He whispered, "There's nothing wrong with you."
"I hate it," she said. "I hate all this misery."
"I also remember that it passed," he said, "and you were better. And we were very happy."
She sobbed into his bed robe. "Don't leave me."
With a pang of guilt, he tried to suppress his instincts towards how good that made him feel. "I won't."
Though her tears did stop, she did not release him, and they fell asleep on top of the covers of her bed, still holding each other.
"What do you think?"
Nadezhda didn't respond at first. She was busy with her sewing. Only she knew how to properly stitch back up the sleeves of their kimonos when the strings came loose, and Brian had a habit of decimating his rare and authentic clothing. "I think Georgie's not well."
"She's lost weight." He sighed and removed his swords, setting them down on the stand. "Do you think Mugen will answer us this time?"
"If she writes him."
"Nady," he said, "be honest with yourself. What makes you think he's alive?"
"He promised her he would be, and these are the sort of promises he keeps."
"I asked you to be realistic."
She finally set the shirt down and looked at him. "Even if he isn't, it will be some closure, perhaps, and she needs it. You know quite well I won't deny her anything. If she wants to go to Japan, and put her life at risk, and her husband's life, and her daughter's life, then I will support her. And I will make you support her."
He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "You don't have to make me."
It was settled. Brian and Nadezhda did not tarry; they would have to go to Holland and try to catch the returning boat and speak to the captain about the current conditions in the country. Only two ships a year were allowed into Dejima, and one would depart again in the spring. Before then, Geoffrey would have to learn Japanese, Georgie would have to return to health, and someone would have to tell the family at large.
"I cannot repay you," Geoffrey said.
"You can by staying alive if we see this through," Brian said. "I would prefer not to end this mission with seppuku, but it is better than facing Darcy and Bingley."
Only when they were gone did Georgie explain what he meant. Geoffrey didn't know the term, and didn't understand at first that Brian was probably being perfectly serious.
Georgie picked up their daughter, who was playing in the sand garden and getting herself all messy again. "Do you suppose we should get her vaccinated?"
"I suppose we should all be vaccinated. For ... whatever they have over there." The sight of Georgie holding their daughter brought a smile to his face. "Are we bringing a nurse?"
"Nadi-sama said she would ask the Dutch; they would know. One more person might be a problem." She looked at Alison. "What do you think? We've not even consulted you! Do you want to go to Japan?"
"Japan, Alison?" Geoffrey said to their befuddled daughter.
"Alisan!" she said, raising her arm.
"No, Japan. Though that is your name."
"Gawan!"
"No, that's the dog."
She put her hand in her mouth. "Grangran!"
Georgie just rolled her eyes.
The Darcys of Lancashire traveled to Pemberley for the harvest festival. It was important for Geoffrey Darcy to see and be seen by his future tenants, who were eager as usual to see the Darcy clan up-close, especially the father with a young daughter. It was even more important for the family to see Georgiana, and for the family to see her making strides. On only one day of their stay did her mood sink and she requested to remain in her quarters on some other excuse.
"Are you going to tell him?"
"Of course," Geoffrey said, "when he's properly inebriated."
"Geoffrey."
He kissed her. "He is not the ogre you think him to be."
"I do not think Uncle Darcy an ogre!"
"Overprotective parents can seem like it, can they not?"
To this, she could give him no reply without sacrificing her point.
In the hours of the actual festival, they were utterly consumed by hosting duties, even though they were not master and mistress of Pemberley. Everyone wanted to see the Darcy grandchild and how she was growing, and a few men dared to pat Geoffrey on the back and assure him the next one would be a son. Alison appreciated the attention more than her parents or grandparents, and she was taken away after a short period, where she could kick and scream to her content in the Nursery, under the staff and Cassandra Darcy's care.
"I don't see why I'm not allowed to stay," Cassandra said as she tried to settle Alison in her crib. The toddler seemed to be expressing the same sentiment in whining and gibberish. "And don't start with this nonsense of being out. People could care less if my hair is up or down. Besides, what can you say of it? Your hair isn't either."
Georgie ignored that. "I needn't remind you that your father just wants to protect you from leering old men."
"My father wants to protect me from having fun. Since when are you on his side? Because you're Mrs. Geoffrey Darcy?"
"Because I'm a parent," Georgie replied.
Downstairs, Geoffrey was walking around in a bit of a fuzz, having had a few more glasses of wine than he had had in a long time. It was not his tradition to intoxicate himself at the Harvest Festival – in fact, quite the opposite – but he lacked his cousins George, Charles, and Frederick, and now he lacked his wife. He was relieved she wasn't there each time he heard those reassurances about her next pregnancy, which was sure to be soon and sure to produce an heir, but they also had the unexpected result of making him moody. No, Georgiana was not pregnant – he was positive of that.
"Cheer up, nephew," Uncle Bingley said. "You're starting to look like your father."
He bowed. "Uncle Bingley."
"Geoffrey. It is good to see you. And good to see Georgie looking so well."
Geoffrey smiled. "It is."
"There is a rumor on the wind that my business partner has gone to Holland on your behalf – would you care to enlighten me?"
"I was going to make a more formal announcement when we're sure," he said. Maybe the brandy in his glass made him feel less inhibited, or it was his uncle's easy smile. "Georgie wants to go to Japan in the spring and I want to take her."
His uncle's face went through a series of reactions, but the first thing he said was, "And you were putting off telling Darcy?"
"If I'm going to infuriate my father, I might as well do it when I'm sure there's a proper end to the means. And it will do just that. I've never done anything so foolish, especially without his consent."
"What is so foolish?"
Geoffrey groaned. Of course he hadn't heard his father walk up behind him. The musicians were too loud. He turned, and bowed. "Father."
"Answer my question."
"In good time," he said. "First, I think I might need another glass of brandy."
The evening's festivities were over and the guests departed, but there was no peace in the Darcy house.
"You want to what?"
Geoffrey turned to his wife and said, "Why does everyone say that? It's a perfectly comprehensible sentence."
His father turned to Bingley and said, "I blame you for this."
Bingley replied, "I blame Brian for this."
"Fortunately for him he's in Holland."
"And armed."
"No one is at fault for anything," Geoffrey said, standing by his wife's side in his father's study. The air of disapproval (from his father) and concern (from his mother, aunt, and uncle) did not bother him. He knew perfectly well – despite his slight inebriation – what he was about. "We wish to travel, as many fashionable couples with young children or without young children do, to an exotic location. For personal reasons, we've chosen Japan. I've never been out of the country and Georgiana's never been further than France. With the rest of my cousins darting about or living abroad, I don't see what is so exceptional."
"They are exploring reasonable places," Darcy said.
"Safe places," his mother said. She meant to soften it.
"Is Europe not full of disease, bandits, and occasional wars?" Georgie said. "As for the dangers of sea travel, we'd need a ship to go anywhere; we live on an island."
"There is quite a difference between two hours to Ireland and three months to Nippon," Bingley said. "Those merchant ships don't always come back."
"When was the last time there was a wreck?"
He fumbled. "Three – four years I think."
"And disease," Aunt Bingley said. "Georgie, your father had to sleep under a net to keep from getting bitten while he was in India. A single bite from the wrong bug would kill him."
"And yet the British presence in India survives," she said. "Besides, we're not going to India. We're going to a country with no known plagues and a culture obsessed with cleanliness."
"And obsessed with fighting," Darcy said.
"Uncle Brian just makes it seem that way, Uncle," she replied. "There hasn't been a war in two hundred years. The swords are ceremonial."
"He said the warriors train with them because they have nothing else to do with their time," Geoffrey added.
"Mr. Bingley," his mother said, "you were briefly in Japan. Is it not true that foreigners are confined to a single port?"
"Not even. We were confined to a single complex of wooden houses that sit on docks outside a single port. I only set foot on land maybe half a dozen times there, and all under the pretense of business."
"We know that," his daughter replied. "Her Highness said something about an ambassadorship. Then we would get to go to Edo."
Bingley nodded despite himself. "That could work."
"Bingley, don't encourage them!" Darcy said. "You are not going to Japan, and you are not taking our granddaughter to Japan!"
"We are," Geoffrey said calmly, and without hesitation, "and if you intend to cut off my funds to stop us, we have calculated that fifty thousand pounds is more than enough to not only get us there and back with all the right bribes, but allow us to live comfortably when we return. That is, if you want to threaten to disinherit me."
His mother interrupted, "Your father would never – "
"He would threaten to," Geoffrey said. His father stood there, with his mouth open, but saying nothing. "But it won't work. Now I can promise you that we will only do this if the Dutch East India Company says it's possible, and we will do it with every bit of care and with full legality. We will all be vaccinated, and have Mr. Maddox and her Highness to protect us. Foreigners are not killed in Japan for no reason. And yes, we might be confined to a port and then sent home, but so be it. The ship will have to make stops on the way and we will have our fill seeing Capetown and Batavia and wherever else they stop." He continued before his father could respond, "We are going to go through with this, and would like your blessing. Otherwise, we will do without."
"And Alison?"
"I've no intention of missing two years of my daughter's life," Georgie said, "and many mothers bring their children along with them when their husbands are merchants. It's not uncommon and she will be vaccinated."
Uncle Bingley, as usual, found a reason to smile. "She'll come home speaking Japanese."
"Ought a woman to be accomplished in languages?"
His mother giggled, and his father gave her a glare, then paced angrily, but the mood in the room was turning towards their side, and Geoffrey was aware of it. "I blame you entirely for this," Darcy said, pointing to Bingley, "and I will continue to blame you for it until Brian returns, at which point I will blame you both."
It was not a verbal blessing on the endeavor, but it would do.
Next Chapter - Proper Englishmen
