"Hearn,.Lian.-.Otori.02.-.Grass.For.His.Pillow.v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hearn Lian)

“If it were Iida’s child, I would know what to do,” Shizuka said. “I
would not hesitate. There are things I can give you that will get rid
of it. But Takeo’s child is my own kin, my own blood.”

Kaede said nothing. The child may inherit Takeo’s gifts, she was
thinking, those gifts that make him valuahle. Everyone wanted to
use him for some purpose of their own. But I love him for himself
alone. I will never get rid of his child. And I will never let the Tribe
take it from me. But would Shizuka try? Would she so betray me?

She was silent for so long, Shizuka sat up to see if she had fallen
asleep. But Kaede’s eyes were open, staring at the green light
beyond the doorway.

“How long will the sickness last?” Kaede said.

“Not long. And you will not show for three or four months.”

“You know about these things. You said you have two sons?”

“Yes. Arai’s children.”

“Where are they?”

“With my grandparents. He does not know where they are.”

“Hasn’t he acknowledged them?”

“He was interested enough in them until he married and had a son
by his legal wife,” Shizuka said. “Then, since my sons are older, he
began to see them as a threat to his heir. I realized what he was
thinking and took them away to a hidden village the Muto family
have. He must never know where they are.”

Kaede shivered despite the heat. “You think he would harm them?”

“It would not be the first time a lord, a warrior, had done so,”
Shizuka replied bitterly.

“I am afraid of my father,” Kaede said. “What will he do to me?”
Shizuka whispered, “Suppose Lord Shigeru, fearing Iida’s
treachery, insisted on a secret marriage at Terayama, the day we
visited the temple. Your kinswoman, Lady Maruyama, and her
companion, Sachie, were the witnesses, but they did not live.”

“I cannot lie to the world in that way,” Kaede began. Shizuka
hushed her. “You do not need to say anything. It has all been
hidden. You are following your late husband’s wishes. I will let it be
known, as if inadvertently. You’ll see how these men can’t keep a
secret among themselves.”