The Reinvention Of Rudd Carter. A Western Action Adventure Novel by R.L. Davis Page A

back to Hong Kong. Knowing she would not be happy in London by herself and not willing to be her consort publicly and possibly expose their indiscretion, Smythe paid for her passage home. At the age of twenty-three, European-educated and very experienced in the social graces, she entered the prime of her life.
    The morning the ship carrying Ming Li pulled into the harbor at Hong Kong, Madam Wang was waiting to welcome her home at the bottom of the gangplank. “At last, my Ming Li is back with me. I have missed you.”
    “As I have missed you, Madam,” she gasped through softly flowing tears. “At last I am home with those whom I love.”
    Once inside the carriage on the way to Madam Wang’s home, the Madam placed her hands on either side of Ming Li’s face and looked long and adoringly at her. “I cannot believe how you have blossomed. You were a beautiful girl from the first moment I saw you, and now you carry yourself with such grace and have become a lovely young woman. I want you to know that I am here to serve you in any way that I can.”
    Moved by her words, Ming Li said, “Madam, I wish to live with you in your home so that I can receive your guidance and wisdom in starting my life in Hong Kong again.”
    Within a short time, Ming Li once again became one of the most in-demand courtesans in Hong Kong. With Madam Wang’s guidance, she commanded the highest fees for her services. She wasn’t promoted for her sexual acumen, but for the illusion of class and sophistication she would bring to the stature of any gentleman seen in public with her. In fact, at this stage in her career, she rarely provided sexual favors, not because of her exorbitant price, but because she exemplified the epitome of European class and sophistication. On occasion, if a client especially appealed to her and willingly paid her price, she would spend the night with him.
    On one particular afternoon during this period, Madam Wang invited Ming Li to her parlor for tea to meet a client. Greeting her with a warm embrace, she turned to her client and said, “Sui Yen, it gives me pleasure to introduce you to Ming Li. I couldn’t feel closer to her if she were my own daughter.”
    Ming Li bowed gracefully. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Sui Yen. How can I be of service to you?”
    “Sui Yen is an officer of the Carter Hong Kong Bank and is here to deliver a letter to you about a proposal for your employment for the next few years,” explained Madam Wang as she handed an envelope to Ming Li. Ming Li opened the envelope and read quietly as the others looked on. When she finished, she slowly placed the letter back into its envelope and paused for a moment. “Sui Yen, I will be most happy to be the Chinese language tutor and mentor for young Rudd Carter, upon approval by Madam Wang.”
    “Of course you have my permission, but understand this will be your career, your only career, for the next few years. Sui Yen and I have discussed the financial arrangements, and they are more than generous. You may never have to work again, if you choose not to.”
    “When is the earliest convenient time for you to meet Master Rudd?” he asked excitedly. “Perhaps, tomorrow evening at his hotel?”
    “Yes. That will be fine,” she answered.
    “Good. I’ll stop by for you at eight o’clock.”

Chapter Nine
    1895, Hong Kong
    Rudd and Ming Li lived together for almost two years. At the age of 34, she still looked like a teenager to him, and his friends remarked that she appeared more beautiful than ever. She seemed as contented and happy as he was. She made him feel his needs came before anything else in her life, and he never failed to show his appreciation for the gift of having her in his life.
    Under Ming Li’s skillful guidance, Rudd mastered several Chinese dialects and was promoted more than once to significantly higher offices at the bank. He found the banking business dreary, however, and often daydreamed of doing something more exciting