XVI

Trying For Trust

Night fell over Rathbone Hall. The outside torches had been lit to mark the way for those arriving for last minute accommodations the eve before the Jubilee Ball. After dinner, and after carefully sneaking through the kitchen's hidden halls, Rathbone gathered enough leftovers of the dinner.

Lin heard steps coming up the corridor to the secluded room and climbed above the moth-eaten canopy to hide. Through the cobwebbed holes of the bed's canopy she watched as a darkly dressed figure stepped inside and set a wrapped bundle and small oil lamp upon the table. He glanced around curiously before he stepped to the window and drew the curtains for the first time in probably a decade. They were stubborn to straighten from their folded state, but after some stubborn shakes the curtain finally smoothed out enough to cover the entire casement.

Finding herself in pitch black, Lin dared not to breathe until Rathbone struck a match against the table and lit the lamp upon the table. She watched him wave the match out and glance around the darkened room one last time before he began unwrapping the bundle. Lin perked up at the sight of food again. Her stomach growled noisily, drawing his attention towards the bed. Lin tensed, not at his attention, but at the tearing beneath her elbow. Suddenly it tore loudly, and she dropped straight down with a short yelp.

A cloud of dust and cobwebs went airborne as she flopped onto the blanket, coughing and sneezing. When all the springs stopped squeaking beneath her, she caught the sound of quiet chuckling.

"You are a very odd, but very entertaining woman, Lin. Here." She looked up, finding the very man was handing her a small plate, "Supper. Unless you've stolen food as well as more of my maid's undergarments?"

Lin paused with her hand upon the plate. She gave a sheepish grin before quietly accepting the food… attempting to ignore his knowing smirk. "You make me suspicious."

"The kindness, hm?" Rhetorically clarifying as he took a seat on the other side of the room. "I'd rather not have you as an enemy. Or your brother, for that matter."

Lin paused. Swallowing hard, she stared at him. "How did you know about Wang?"

Clasping his hands over his chest as he slouched in the chair, he looked from the light to Lin, "Wu Chow. He said you would probably notify him and that he is far more relentless than anyone he knows. Although I'm sure Wu Chow was not including himself on the statistics. I suppose I would be assuming too much to think your brother could be as forgiving as you. I personally don't believe you're really all that kind hearted or stupid."

Lin lowered the plate to her knee, sitting with her legs folded. "You said it was an accident."

"I still stabbed the man. Although I appreciate your faith in me, given how little you really know about my character, I on the other hand have more faith in the inevitable."

"…What do you mean?"

"Think about it Lin." He folded his arms as she tried to force another bit… but her appetite had gone. "If I were to join forces with you, your brother may or may not side with your or I. We would be greatly outnumbered still by the rebels and in the end Wu Chow would get the seal, as he intends to do."

"…Oh."

"But if I helped him, and we won…" His eyes drifted off for a beat before he continued, "I would be left truly without any family left, and the knowledge of what I've done, cushioning me on my way to hell. That is, if I ever live to see long years of guilt."

"Wu Chow."

He nodded.

"You don't trust his word?"

"Not unless it is a threat. Which is why I'm asking you now for some input. You two have some history, correct?"

Lin nodded, taking a large bite and stuffing her cheeks with pie. "Ets…" She chewed some more and then swallowed, "It's long ago. I was very young, and he was banished. I do not remember much, except the stories that still linger about what he has done. Before he left, he poisoned those who betrayed him… those who told the Dowager Empress he was stealing the seal. The guards were led to the temple and he was banished since then. He asked his old friends for a toast before his departure. They did not know that he knew. They all died that night."

"I see…" He fell silent, pondering as he tapped his lower lip. His brow knotted with the troubled thoughts as she continued to eat. Finally he broke the silence, "What would you say to your brother if he arrived?"

"He… already arrived."

Rathbone's attention locked onto her, "When?"

"The day I escaped. He brought his friend with him and they intend to find you on their own. I knew I would beat him here because he's always had a poor sense of direction."

"His friend?"

"No, Wang." Her eyes averted, a faint smile settling to her lips. "Bu this friend is charming. He's had many books written about him. He also gave me these cards." Setting the plate aside, she reached into her vest and removed the deck of cards, crawling to the edge of the bed to hand it to him.

Rathbone turned the cards to the light. A dark brow escalated at the sight of nude women. "Ah, this makes more sense."

"What do you mean?" She asked curiously, taking her plate from the bed to carry it to the table beside him. Taking the second seat, she helped herself the stack of biscuits.

He set the cards aside, turning them over to hide the naked women, "You said he's charming. Charm is usually a mask one uses to hide what they really are."

Disapprovingly, Lin pursed her lips at him. "He's a good man. My brother would not keep a friend like you say around. Roy O'bannon is a good man."

Rathbone stared at her, his forehead creasing as he slowly broke into chuckles of disbelief. "O'bannon… Roy O'bannon?"

"Yes."

"Not the same written by Sage McAllister."

Lin frowned, not comprehending.

"Oh no," He laughed, rubbing his face in an attempt to wipe the grin from his face. "Lin, the man is a complete fraud. Those stories defy all logic and meaning. No wonder you were so taken with him – he's a convincing liar!"

"I only just met him!" She stomped her foot and rose to a stand. "I'm not a stupid child!"

"No, you must admit, it is amusing."

"No it isn't!"

"Why get angry with me then?" Finally stifling his laughs, he looked up to her patiently.

"Because you laugh at me."

"Consider it a feat. I don't laugh very often. And you are a funny woman."

"I'm not funny!" She barked so quickly that she cut off any following words. Realizing she was acting like a child, the cloud of rising anger lifted. Her frown broke into an embarrassed smile and she seated once more, "Change of subject."

"Yes, all right." Clearing his throat and all his musing with it, he obliged to her request, "When the ball is in session tomorrow, you swear to me you will not go wandering about in the open."

Lin nodded, replying in a tiny voice. "I promise."

"Good."

"Is Wu Chow coming soon then?"

"Soon."

She waited for an addition to the response, but received none. "When?"

"Tomorrow. I won't tell you when or where." He canted his head knowingly, "Because I know you'll follow if I give you any leads. He can't see you here again. He'll grow suspicious of me and possibly do you harm."

Not liking this answer, Lin averted her eyes to the lamp.

Slipping out his pocket watch, Rathbone unclasped the door. "It's almost one o'clock now. I'd better get some sleep… I've a busy day tomorrow."

"What am I supposed to do tomorrow? Hide in here all day? All night?"

Standing up, he nodded, straightening his coat. "Yes, as a matter of fact. Because I know you're not stupid enough to try anything else. I promise that after my meeting with the snake himself I'll report to you promptly. If I can rest his worries tomorrow then I will have negotiated to him that I am none the wiser to whatever actions he may attempt in the future."

Lin quickly stood, her hand resting upon the table as she almost started for him in protest. But he turned quickly, cutting her off sharply before she could begin. "Good night Miss Chon."