Jack Higgins - Chavasse 02 by Year of the Tiger

was certainly one hell of a woman, but he was going to have to tread carefully. It seemed quite evident that she was pleased to see him, mainly because the Russian element in her nature was uppermost and she considered herself to be a Westerner, an alien in a strange land.
    He wondered how she managed for suitablemale companionship. Heaven knows, Hoffner was too old for her, but Captain Tsen had made no secret of his regard, and there was always Colonel Li, an unknown quantity in more ways than one.
    The door opened and Joro entered, carrying a neat bundle which he placed on a chair. He squatted beside the tub and grinned. “The woman told me to bring you fresh clothing.”
    â€œI was wondering when you’d show up,” Chavasse said. “Are they treating you all right?” Joro nodded. “I’m sleeping in the kitchen, which is warmer than the stables at least.” He frowned and shook his head. “There have been changes since I was last here.”
    Chavasse reached for a towel, stood up and started to dry himself roughly. “In what way?”
    â€œThere’s no longer anyone here I know, which in some ways is a good thing, and I’d never met the Stranoff woman before today. There are only two servants now, a man and his wife.”
    â€œAnd why should that worry you?”
    â€œBecause they’re both Chinese and they don’t care for Tibetans—they’ve made that plain enough already.”
    â€œAnd you think they’re working for Colonel Li?”
    Joro nodded. “One can’t be certain, but I think you’ll have to be very careful.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Chavasse said with feeling. “I intend to be.”
    He dressed quickly in the clothes which Katya Stranoff had sent up. There was a black silk Russian shirt like the one she had been wearing, a pair of quilted pants and a heavy woollen sweater.
    He examined himself carefully in the mirror, combed back his hair and turned to Joro. “How do I look?”
    Joro grinned. “Very pretty. I’m sure she’ll be impressed.”
    â€œLet’s hope so,” Chavasse told him. “It might prove to be important. You’d better go back to the kitchen now. I’ll see you later.”
    As Chavasse was going downstairs, a door clicked open and Katya Stranoff crossed the hall. She paused as she heard his foot on the stairs and glanced up, and her eyes sparkled in the lamplight.
    She was wearing a Chinese sheath dress of heavy black silk embroidered with scarlet poppies, which fitted her lithe body like a second skin. It buttoned high about her neck, and two discreet vents on each side of the skirt gave him a glimpse of slender legs as she moved to greet him.
    â€œYou certainly look better for the bath. All you need now is a drink and a decent meal.”
    â€œI’d love both,” he said, “but first, would it be in order for me to compliment you on that astonishing dress?”
    He could have sworn that she blushed, but inthe lamplight it was difficult to be sure. She took his arm and smiled. “Doctor Hoffner is waiting to meet you.”
    She opened the door and led the way into a large and comfortable room. The walls were shelved from ceiling to floor and packed with books, and a table in the centre was laid for a meal. A pleasant fire burned on the large open hearth and flames danced on the shiny surface of a grand piano which stood against one wall by the window. The whole room possessed a wonderful air of peace and tranquillity.
    The man who had been sitting reading in a chair by the fire turned and got to his feet. Wearing an old corduroy jacket and an open-neck shirt, he was one of the largest men Chavasse had ever seen, with a great breadth of shoulder and hair like a snow white mane swept back behind his ears. But it was the remarkable eyes which most impressed Chavasse. They were dark and deep and full of a tremendous serenity.
    For a brief