“You’ll forgive my saying so, brother, but that’s hardly the same as a wife. There are other needs.” He gave a soft chuckle and raised his cup. “Here’s to lovemaking, Akitada. The sages have taught us that a man needs it regularly to keep his body strong and healthy.”

Akitada laughed. “I do my best,” he said. “Such things are easy enough to arrange. Why do you ask? Do you have someone in mind?”

Kosehira gulped. “Well,” he said after a moment, “I could make enquiries if you wish. I haven’t had much occasion … I’m a family man, brother. Three desirable ladies are enough for me.”

Akitada apologized, and they changed the subject.

∞

Tora had not returned by the next morning either, and Kosehira offered to send a servant to Akitada’s house. Akitada, by now seriously worried as well as angry with Tora, decided to go himself.

He arrived at home before the midday rice, much to the surprise of Genba who greeted him.

“Is Tora here?” Akitada snapped before Genba could do more than bow and offer a welcome.

“No, sir. Isn’t he with you? He left early yesterday.”

Before Akitada could say anything else, a strange woman interrupted them. She came from the direction of the kitchen. “Genba,” she called out. “I need you to run to the market. That fool of a cook forgot to buy shrimp. You know how much his lordship’s children like them. If you ask me, they’ve been given too many sweets. All they want is moon cakes and sweet dumplings.”

“Who’s that?” Akitada asked.

“Tora was to explain sir. She’s Saburo’s mother. Mrs. Kuruda.”

“Saburo has a mother?” Foolish question, but somehow the issue of Saburo’s family had never come up. Akitada had always assumed that someone as grotesquely scarred as the man he had met in Naniwa must be alone in the world. This oversight angered him further.

The short, round woman, no beauty herself, reached them as he swung himself out of the saddle. She took in his clothes and hat and made him a small bow. “If it’s business for his lordship,” she informed him, “he’s not home. He’s a guest of his Excellency, the governor of Omi. “I’m sure I can be of service if you wish to leave a message. Allow me to show you inside.”

Normally this would have been amusing. Genba was grinning, but Akitada had no time to be entertained. “I’m Sugawara and this is my home,” he snapped. “I’m told you’re Saburo’s mother. Where is he?”

At this, she made him a better bow. “A great pleasure, my lord. My son has told me much about you. It’s been an honor to meet your charming children and look after them. But children need their parents. Alas, poor mites, they’ve lost their mother. If you don’t mind my saying so, you really should spend more time with them, my lord. But business presses. I understand that well enough. My late husband was an official himself. His duties were more important than anything to him. I learned soon enough that as his wife I must be both mother and father to my children. If I do say so myself, I’m very good at it by now. I’ve enjoyed looking after Lady Yasuko and Master Yoshi. But I’m rattling on. You must be hungry. I’ll run and see about some food and wine. Genba, you’d better hurry and get those shrimp.”

Akitada was momentarily speechless. Then he said, “Stay, Genba.” To Saburo’s mother, he added, “You are welcome here as Saburo’s mother, but I assure you there is no need for you to manage my household or my children.”

She waved that aside with a smile that revealed crooked front teeth. “It’s no trouble. I’m used to working hard and I’ll go on working if it helps my boy. A mother’s care is never done, don’t you agree? No, don’t answer. I know you’re a sensible gentleman. A Chinese sage said you must honor your parents. He knew what he was talking about. His mother slaved and suffered for him. I imagine yours worked and worried for you. Yes, I can see I’m right. Now that I’m here, my Saburo will have his mother’s support as long as she draws a breath.” She looked over Akitada’s shoulder. “ Ah, here he comes now. What a clever gentleman you are to have asked Saburo to work for you. The boy is simply brilliant. He has a great future ahead of him. Saburo, here’s your master come home when we least expected it. I must see about his dinner.” For a moment she looked distracted. “Shrimp would have been nice, but never mind. I’ll think of something.” With another bob, she was off.

Saburo knelt and touched his forehead to the gravel of the courtyard. “I’m very sorry about this, sir. She suddenly showed up. Please forgive her. She’s a very silly woman.”

“Get up, Saburo,” Akitada said wearily. “She is your mother?”

Saburo stood, head hanging low. “Yes, sir. She has no place to go.”

“Then she is welcome here. Where is Tora?”

Saburo looked up, startled. “He didn’t get back to you?”

“No.”

“I think …” Saburo faltered. “I may be wrong. It isn’t like Tora not to report back to you, but perhaps he’s gone to Enryaku-ji.”

“Ah! I half suspected it. But he hasn’t come back from there either.”

“Yes. It’s extremely troubling.” Saburo twisted his hands together and glanced over his shoulder in the direction of the kitchen. “I should go look for him, but my mother …”

Akitada frowned. “I’m sure your mother is quite safe here. Do you know much about the monks at Enryaku-ji?”

“Yes, sir. I was sent there once.”

“I didn’t’ know. Neither, for that matter, did you mention your mother. Is there anything else I should know?”

Saburo flinched. “Probably. I’m very sorry. I was afraid you would dismiss me again. I can see now that keeping silent made things worse. My mother and I will be gone as soon as Tora is found. I don’t like to impose on you and the others. She’s a difficult woman. But I think I’d better go look for Tora right away.”

“You can make a home for her here,” Akitada said rashly. “After we’ve all had something to eat, I want everyone to come to my study. We’ll discuss it then.”

Saburo looked uneasy, but he nodded.

∞

Mrs. Kuruda was the first to arrive. After making him a bow, she glanced around. “If you don’t mind, my lord, I could do wonders with this room. After a good cleaning, I’ll have your things rearranged in a more pleasing manner. It could do with a bit of straightening, too.”

His study was neither dirty nor disordered, and he definitely did not want this woman to touch it. He snapped, “Do not touch a thing in this room!”

She opened her mouth to argue, but the others arrived, and the room, though sizable, was hardly large enough to hold them all. The children had come as well and were wide-eyed with curiosity.

Akitada smiled at them and said, “I came looking for Tora and instead find Saburo’s mother. Thank you all for making her welcome, both for Saburo’s sake and because it’s the proper and kind thing to do. Mrs. Kuruda, you are welcome here. I hope you’ll become a part of my household.” Seeing Saburo’s mother open her mouth to respond, he raised a hand. “No, there’s no time now. The others will help you settle in. They have my trust, and I hope you will, too. In my absence, Hanae is in charge of household matters. Genba looks after the house and grounds, and the horses.” He saw a look of dismay on her face, but it was just as well to establish her position early. She had sounded as if she planned to give the orders in the future.

With a glance at Hanae, he went on, “Tora did not reach me yesterday. Saburo and I think he ran into some problem on Mount Hiei. Saburo knows the area well and will look for him. I have to return to Otsu.”

A troubled silence fell. The children looked upset. In an effort to lift their spirits, Akitada reminded them of the Sanno festival. That brought smiles, and in the end, everyone bowed and left except for Hanae.

She asked, “Is my husband in some kind of trouble? Has he been foolish or disobedient?”