The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure by Adam Williams

don’t hold with this Boxer nonsense but there have been incidences of banditry and it’s wise to take precautions. Trust you’ll go well armed. Mind you, in Shishan you have an excellent man in Airton. Very sound, and he knows the Mandarin well. You should be safe enough there.’
    â€˜I look forward to meeting him, Sir Claude.’
    â€˜He’s a wise head, young Henry. Listen to him, is my advice. Listen to him.’ Sir Claude looked intently at Manners as if to press the point. Manners smiled and dropped his eyes. Sir Claude turned towards Tom and Helen Frances. ‘I’ve not met your father, Miss Delamere, but Dawson tells me he is doing well by his company in those parts. Incidentally, I understand that congratulations are in order. The two of you are engaged, are you not?’
    â€˜Well, not officially yet, sir. More an understanding.’
    â€˜You have still to get the father’s permission. I quite understand. Well, I’m sure he’ll agree. You’re a lucky fellow. You’re going up there to be Mr Delamere’s assistant, I believe?’
    â€˜Yes, sir. Looking forward to it.’
    â€˜Good. Good. Well, I won’t detain you. You have a long ride back. Thank you all for coming. Look after yourselves in Shishan. And, Manners, mind the advice I’ve given you.’
    â€˜I say,’ said Tom, as they made their way towards the horses and carriages, ‘that was a bit like being put in front of the old headmaster again.’
    â€˜Silly old fool,’ muttered Manners. ‘Head in the clouds. Doesn’t know what’s going on.’
    â€˜What was this advice he was giving you? He seemed pretty strong about it.’
    â€˜Advice? Just the old Polonius. “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” Feels he owes it to my pater to keep me on the straight and narrow. Some nerve, actually.’
    â€˜Are you intent on becoming the black sheep of your family then, Mr Manners?’ asked Helen Frances.
    â€˜HF, golly, you can’t say things like that!’ Tom looked anxiously at his new friend, but Manners laughed.
    â€˜I already am the black sheep of my family, Miss Delamere,’ he said, swinging into his saddle. ‘By the way, I saw you too this morning. The vision of you listening on the side quite enlivened Morrison’s dreary homily. Cabot, Sir Claude was quite right. You’re a lucky man. I’ll see you on the ride.’
    Helen Frances watched Manners manoeuvre his horse skilfully through the carriage park to join B. L. Simpson and several other riders who had already mounted. She and Tom walked among the shining collection of barouches, buggies, landaus and coaches, each attended by uniformed grooms in conical hats, looking for the Dawsons’ carriage.
    â€˜Do you like Henry Manners, Tom?’ she asked quietly, putting her hand into his.
    â€˜Why, yes, he’s a terrific fellow. Great sportsman. Why do you ask?’
    â€˜He seems so different from you.’
    â€˜More worldly, you mean?’ grinned Tom. ‘Well, he has bashed about a bit. Done lots of interesting things.’
    â€˜That’s partly what I mean,’ said Helen Frances. ‘He seems to have a bit of a reputation.’
    â€˜Jolly well deserved, I would think. He’s been a soldier, an engineer. Lived in India, the East Indies, Japan. Probably got some good stories to tell us round the campfire on the way to Shishan. You don’t mind him coming with us, do you? I’m sure he won’t get in the way.’
    â€˜Of course I don’t mind, Tom, if it makes you happy.’ She gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. ‘You’re a very kind man, you know that, Tom?’
    â€˜Steady on, girl, someone might see,’ said Tom, but his eyes were gleaming with happiness and pride as, giggling, she kissed him again. She rested her head on his breast, and the two stood modestly embraced