Chapter 3

The sun was rising as the Duke settled on the rails of the dock.

He had woken up early in the morning with the intention of going to the island. In the past three days, he hadn't managed to get a good night's sleep because his thoughts were constantly occupied by the mysterious woman he had met at the hotel. He couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance she had with Josephine, which made him wonder if there was some kind of connection between them. Being a member of the well-known Montague family in London, he knew that their family history must have deep connections in different parts of the country. Despite the possibility of being distant cousins, the similarity in their appearances seemed too uncanny to be mere coincidence. Hugh was aware that the Montague family had suffered the loss of a child before he got to know them, but he had refrained from prying into the sensitive topic, as it was a delicate matter for them. As long as the past stayed in the past, he didn't feel the need to delve deeper into the details.

Mr. Reilly and Hugh had devoted a significant amount of time over the past three days to developing a strategic plan aimed at increasing the demand for their business operations in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, their efforts were being jeopardized by a gang of criminals who seemed determined to sabotage their enterprise. Mr. Reilly had looked into the matter and discovered that similar criminal activities were targeting local merchants in Hong Kong. These nefarious individuals appeared to be involved in a scheme to steal and conceal Chinese goods before departing the Qing, thereby hindering the export growth of Western nations. This dire situation was causing concern not only for the British government but also for the Duke of Westford, who had a vested interest in the colony's prosperity.

Prior to his departure for the colony, the Duke of Westford, a member of the royal family, had approached the Duke with a proposition to address the challenges facing their business in Hong Kong. In exchange for helping resolve the situation in the colony, the Duke offered to forgive the debt left behind by the Duke's late father. Tragically, it had come to light that the late Duke had been involved in financial misconduct, swindling money from affluent families in Scotland. This unethical behaviour had apparently commenced following the passing of his mother when he was just seven years old. Arthur Kingsley had then married Adeline Blair, the Dowager Duchess of Kensington and Hugh's stepmother, whose father had made a deal with him to overlook his embezzlement from the family in exchange for financial compensation. The Dowager had remained oblivious to her husband's deceit until after his demise. Hugh was not taken aback by the revelation, as his stepmother seemed more preoccupied with social status and public approval rather than the family's integrity and values.

Hugh had taken on the responsibility of settling his father's debts, even going as far as selling off his own businesses to help clear the debt. Despite the perception of wealth and power associated with the Kingsley family, they were actually forced to lay off staff regularly to prevent the debt from growing further. The families in Scotland who invested their money with them were promised growth, but after Arthur's death, their money was used to maintain the family's lavish lifestyle. Hugh often pondered on why his father had chosen to act in this manner. Memories of his mother revealed that they rarely discussed financial matters, leaving a young Hugh with doubts about his father's affection towards him.

As Hugh breathed in the salty sea air, taking in the ocean views before him, he realized it had been a while since he had enjoyed a holiday. Leaving England had granted him a sense of freedom that he had not felt in a long time. The pressures of his upcoming responsibilities as a duke and the burden of his debts had kept him from taking a break. He worried that if his life remained unchanged, he would start to see signs of ageing before even reaching his thirties.

His belongings were being loaded onto the vessel provided by Mr. Reilly for his journey to the island. The trip would only take an hour before he reached his villa, where his men had been sent ahead to prepare for his arrival. Hugh wondered if Ms. Green had accepted his proposal, which he had only made possible thanks to the financial support from the Duke of Westford. To bring her closer to him, he considered offering her a position at his villa, but she seemed more capable of other matters than housework. Possible a position as his assist or secretary.

Keeping his visit a secret from Ms. Green, Hugh hoped to gather information from her about a group of criminals, while also ensuring her well-being upon their arrival on the island. As he watched the leaves rustle in the wind, he noticed Ms. Green approaching in London attire, looking somewhat uncomfortable in her corset. Following her were three individuals whom he did not recognize: an elderly English woman on her right, a Chinese man in traditional hanfu attire on her left, and a young Chinese woman engaged in a heated conversation with the older man.

As Hugh saw Ms. Green nearing him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement at her cautious steps, trying not to stumble. The sight of her, dressed in a modern English dress, with the corset restricting her movements, made him smile. By her side were the English lady ensuring her stability and the Chinese individuals engaged in an intense discussion.

As he observed the group of people approaching him, he couldn't help but notice something unique about the sight before him. The diversity among the members of the family in the picture was striking, something he had never encountered before. Despite its unfamiliarity, he found it quite refreshing and captivating.

In the midst of the group, Ms. Green stood out in her elegant English attire. She wore a stunning velvet blue dress that gracefully revealed her shoulders, a garment adorned with delicate gold accents that complemented the gold pendants hanging around her neck. Her luscious curls cascaded down to her elbows, with a dainty braid adding a touch of sophistication to her hairstyle.

Lost in thought and concentrating on maintaining her balance, Ms. Green approached Hugh without even glancing up. However, upon finally meeting his gaze, she let out a long, shaky sigh. Hugh couldn't help but notice the small beads of sweat forming on her forehead, which only added to her charm and allure.

As Ms. Green stood before him, their eyes locked in a moment of silent understanding. Despite the physical exertion evident in her appearance, Hugh couldn't help but be captivated by her grace and beauty. The slight grin that played on her lips only served to deepen his intrigue and admiration.

"Well, good morning, Ms. Green," he said, smiling. "I'm glad to see you have taken me on my offer."

"Good morning, Your Grace," she said. The old English woman next to her cleared her throat. Anle realized her mistake and murmured, "Oh," with an uncomfortable curtsy to the Duke. "Am I doing it right, mother?"

"Oh, child, get up, you're embarrassing yourself," the elderly woman exclaims. She puts her palms on her forehead and mutters, "It's my fault for not teaching you proper English etiquette."

Hugh, chuckling, asks his new companions, "May I introduce myself. I'm Hugh Kingsley, the Duke of Kensington. I'm delighted to make your acquaintance."

Giving him a polite curtsy, the old woman responds, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I am Charlotte Green, Anle's mother. And this is Jian Haoyu, Anle's adoptive father and teacher, and my lover." The woman made her final sentence with hesitancy, embarrassed by her title.

Hugh shakes his hands and says, "It is an honour to meet you, Mr. Jian."

"Please call me Master Haoyu. Mr. Jian is overly formal," the man adds in English, shaking his hand. "And this is Li Li, the daughter of my colleague, Anle's closest friend."

The young Chinese woman nods and says in English, "Please take care of my Anle. She is valuable to me, and if something happens to her, I will hunt you."

Anle's eyes widen at that comment, and she turns to look at her companion, who had evidently gone insane by insulting the Duke. Returning her attention, Li Li shrugs her shoulders and looks away. "I was only kidding, you know. Who else will be responsible if you go missing?" Li Li speaks to her in Mandarin.

"You cannot be making such remarks to a duke, Li Li. He could kill you for your remarks," Anle advised in Mandarin.

Hugh decided to strike up a conversation with Madame Green while the two young ladies were arguing. He had discovered that she had left England following the death of her late husband sixteen years ago. As well as the important fact that Anle wasn't her biological daughter.

"Wait, so where are her actual parents," Hugh asked.

"I wouldn't know. Fourteen years ago, she had showed up on the footsteps of Haoyu's academy. She has no memory of anything other than the fact that she had been kidnapped," Madame Green replied.

Entering the conversation, Master Haoyu adds, "She was terrified when I first met her. Fortunately, I raised her to protect herself in the event she ever comes across the same incident twice. So I ask you, Your Grace, could you secure her safety for me?"

Hugh came to understand the underlying cause of the argument and glanced over at Anle, who was engaged in a heated discussion with her friend. After observing the tense situation, he directed his focus back to Anle's guardians. This situation was not new to him, as he had been in similar predicaments before. In England, it was customary for young women to be introduced to him in hopes of marriage. Hugh had declined numerous marriage proposals to spare his future wife from the burden of his father's financial obligations.

After a few seconds of delay, he replied, "I will assure, my intent with your daughter is purely business, which I cannot get into. Though, you have my word that nothing shall come of your daughter." The couple looked at each other, feeling reassured by his response.

...

After forty-five minutes of conversing, the Duke's men had completed gathering his and Anle's belongings while waiting for them to board the vessel. Anle had bid farewell to her mother, Master Haoyu, and Li Li, vowing to bring back souvenirs.

After uttering her goodbyes, she hurried up to the Duke who was already on the boat, directing the captain for departure. Anle walks cautiously on the plank, careful not to trip, and enters the boardwalk. She hadn't got used to the heels her mother had bought for her yesterday, or the outfit with the corset restricting her torso. Her mother believed it was most acceptable for her to dress as a lady on her first day in Hong Kong Island.

She hadn't felt it was essential, knowing quite well that her hanfu would suffice. With her hanfu, she could move freely without being constrained by the hemlines of her clothing.

Looking back at her mother and waving farewell as the ship set sail. Tears streamed down her mother's cheeks as she stood near the railing. Anle waved farewell while holding back tears.

Looking back on the ship, she had lost sight of the Duke and was left with the rest of the men. Some she recalled seeing three days before, which had led her to His Grace's office back at the hotel. She had discovered that the Duke's primary servant was Mr. Gibson, a fifty-year-old man who had been working for his family for thirty years.

Mr. Gibson had introduced her to the rest of the staff, who appeared to be all males in their thirties. They were all perplexed as to why the Duke had employed a woman, and she responded in kind. Anle had learnt that the Duke was opposed to spending money on useless competencies, therefore she had best make herself useful. She appreciated her conversations with these English guys, some of whom were not even English but had lived in England. She had questioned Mr. Gibson about living in England, since it piqued her attention.

"Well, England is very much a respected country and much not like life is in Hong Kong," he went on to say. "You would prefer the countryside over London's crowded streets. I heard you grew up in the mountainous regions of Kowloon. Is that correct?"

"Yes, for the past fourteen years. I'll certainly miss viewing the city from there on Lion Rock," she said. "That is where I generally began my days before a martial arts session."

"Oh, you have skills in combat?"

"Yes, I even brought my sword," she said, referring to the blade she slung around her waist. She wasn't sure if she'd need it, but she took it just in case. "How about you? Have you had a sharp eye for martial arts?"

"I've done my fair share of fencing, but hand combat is something I wouldn't conceive of. However, His Grace is exceedingly skilled with a sword. Perhaps you might take him upon a match."

"That is not something I would dare to request. He appears preoccupied with other matters."

"Well, a great way to alleviate stress is a good match of sabre."

She laughs and agrees with the man. When things got too difficult for her, she would practice her tai chi on her own. She had learnt from Master that it was an excellent technique for meditating. "Speaking of His Grace, where has he wandered off to?"

"He ought to sit in his office. Just proceed to the back entrance of the ship, and you'll find him."

"Thank you, Mr. Gibson."

"My pleasure, Ms. Green," he replies as she leaves in that direction.

It didn't take long for Anle to find the Duke, as the entrance had a lounging area with a tiny corridor leading to a double doorway. Anle approaches the end of the corridor and knocks on the wooden doors.

"Come in," a voice within says.

Pushing the door open, she sees the Duke at his desk, going over a couple of documents. The emerald-eyed man looks up and meets her gaze. "May I assist you, Ms. Green?" He asked.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't think you'd be occupied."

"Not at all, please enter."

She bows and steps inside, shutting the door behind her. She hadn't noticed it was only the two of them inside after closing the door. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she took long breaths to calm herself. She switches her gaze from the ship's floor to the bookshelves on her right. As she stroked the tips of her fingers along the line of books, she could feel his stare following her every move.

"Are you an avid reader?" he inquired.

"Not quite; I spend most of my days at the academy. Keeping up with my meditations and swordsmanship," she said, her gaze fixated on a leather book.

"Well, have you read any British novels?"

"Unfortunately, I haven't. The majority of the volumes in my mother's library are Chinese scriptures and French poetries, which I find far too uninteresting."

"Well, I would concur. I'm not too keen in poetry myself."

The cabin was silent after that, leaving just the sound of waves smashing against the vessel. As she felt him emerge out of his seat, he rested against the shelf of books and reached for a leather red book. Looking up at the book, she observed the title Sword Training of the Ages by Manchester Fitz.

"How about you amuse yourselves with this? I have heard that it is a good read. Maybe you'll enjoy it," he replied, offering her a book. He brushed his finger against hers as he placed the book into her hands. She felt a tingling sensation following their brief contact. Despite the fact that they were wearing gloves, she considered it was improper for them to make any form of physical contact.

"Thank you, Your Grace," she commented with a little curtsy. She was slowly adjusting to having to comply rather than bow.

"Hence, when will I have the pleasure to have a round of jousting with you?" He inquired as he pointed to the sword wrapped around her waist.

Looking down, she continues, "I wasn't sure whether you liked swordsmanship. Mr. Gibson had informed me you were quite excellent with swords."

Scuffing, he takes a step nearer and extends his hands to her. "May I?"

Seeing her uncertainty, he proceeds, "Your blade, Ms. Green."

"Oh!"

Placing the book underneath her armpits, then take her sword from its scabbard and placed it in the gentleman's hands.

"It's quite authentic, you know. Master had stated that it has been used several times in warfare. This dates back to the early Qing period. However, today's guns are used for conflict. Retiring 紫电 (zi diàn). Which means purple lightning."

"That's the name of the blade?"

She nodded.

"How intriguing." Examining the blade sheath, which is coated black with purple designs. A purple ribbon was wound around the end of the blade's handle. It truly was a magnificent blade. The Duke unsheathed the blade, revealing Chinese letters engraved into it.

The Duke walked to the centre of the room, away from Anle. Swinging the sword, he lunges at the entrance, putting his front leg forward while keeping the back leg immobile and straight. Then resumed back into the en garde position. Turning to face Anle, he replies, "What do you suppose? Do the abilities I possess match potential?"

"Hmm. We'll see. Maybe another day we may have an actual bout, although my wardrobe does not appear appropriate for fencing, it appears."

"There's no question. I had forgotten to mention, you look striking in London attire," he quips. As heat rises to her face, she glances away.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Before another minute of solitude passed, the Duke restored the blade to its rightful owner. "Best to keep it protected. You would not want to misplace it. As of now, I must return to monotonous work. Thank you, Ms. Green, for accepting my offer."

"You're very welcome, Your Grace. Nonetheless, I have my own intention for this journey that I simply cannot share," she said. "I'll be certain to return the book, and I'll leave you to continue your work."

Anle gracefully leaves the room, making her way through the corridor. She had not anticipated how refreshing it would feel to engage in conversation with someone other than Li Li and her mother. Anle used to feel hesitant about meeting new people due to her shyness, but now she welcomes the change. She is determined to shield herself from any pain similar to what she experienced in her childhood. Upon reaching the cosy lounge area at the corridor's end, she settled comfortably on the sofa and delved into the book gifted to her by the Duke.

...

Hong Kong Island

June 1856

It had only taken them an hour to traverse the harbour and arrive at Hong Kong Island. As the ship docked, Mr. Gibson alerted Hugh of their arrival. He had not seen Ms. Green, since she returned the literature he had recommended to her. He valued her company, but she looked like she seemed to have changed since their initial meeting. Perhaps it is simply his own thoughts.

Hugh steps off the ship and meets Mr. Gibson, who had accompanied Ms. Green. He observes her as she absorbs the new sight. Hong Kong Island had remained unchanged substantially since his previous excursion. There have been a few new residences developed on the island. More of the English had begun to settle in and enjoying their new holiday residences. The marinas were decorated with pastel-coloured bouquets greeting incoming arrivals.

"Mr. Gibson, is the carriage ready," Hugh yells to the old man.

Mr. Gibson answers, "Yes, Your Grace," as he concludes his talk with Ms. Green and turns to face his employer. "However, there appeared to be traffic in the vicinity, so it could be prudent to proceed somewhat south in order to approach the carriage."

Hugh had failed to see the immense throngs of people who had recently arrived from who knows where. Although some may have been American or French, the vast majority likely originated from the British Isles.

"Indeed, that ought to be acceptable," he said, returning his attention to Mr. Gibson. "Come on, Ms. Green, I suppose we'll just have to stroll to the carriage," Hugh remarks as he approaches the woman.

Hugh takes her hand and leads her through the throng, but he stops short of taking a step when he felt her come into a halt. When he returned his sight to her, he noticed she was staring down at their joined hands before shifting her focus to his.

He leaned in close to speak softly in her ear, sensing her tremble at the sound of his voice. "I don't want you to wander off in this busy crowd. Also, Mr. Gibson and the other gentlemen are going to retrieve our things. Let's hurry along, shall we?"

Hugh began pulling the woman through the crowd once again, noticing a hint of blush in her cheeks out of the corner of his eye. He didn't consider the fact that they were both unmarried and holding hands in public, a sight that may be perceived as inappropriate. However, Hugh was in a rush to find some rest and didn't want the woman to wander off on her first day on the island. Throughout the night, he had been mulling over recent theft cases in Kowloon, noticing striking similarities between each incident. In these cases, shop owners were attacked and merchandise was stolen by armed criminals.

He also had some expectations that the Montagues might offer assistance. It is their usual practice to visit the island during this period. This has always been a custom for them to follow. While the Earl would usually stay for only a month, the Countess, who also engaged in charity activities for local orphanages, would extend her stay by two months. He had anticipated seeing Josephine this time, but she is currently in London, grieving over the loss of her mother-in-law.

He had the intention of introducing her to Ms. Green to see if they shared any similarities, as they bore a strong visual resemblance. Maybe that discussion could be saved for a later date. He was more concerned with completing his task at hand. It was possible that Nolan Montague could provide access to the cases that Hugh had been reviewing for the past three days. Whenever the Earl was absent, he and his wife would ensure they stayed with the Countess during their travels. He planned to have a conversation with Nolan on another day; at the moment, he simply wanted to rest.

Struggling through the crowd towards the main road, Hugh spotted his carriage waiting for him. His coachman had parked the carriage by a shop, with his footman positioned nearby. When he finally reached them, he introduced them to Ms. Green. After quickly instructing them to navigate away from the congested area, they left and headed towards his villa.

...

They had been travelling for a quarter of an hour. His Grace had dozed off during their journey. Anle was seated across from him, occasionally sneaking glances at him and observing his breathing. She examined his face closely, unafraid of him waking up. He had pulled his top hat down, causing his blond curls to fall against his forehead. The breeze ruffled his hair, accentuating his attractiveness. She felt a strong desire to run her fingers through his hair and expose more of his eyes. Noticing his long eyelashes that enhanced the green hue of his eyes, she couldn't resist gazing into them once more.

Shifting her focus from His Grace, Anle gazes out of her window. The mountain they were climbing passed before her eyes, with tall trees and grand mansions along the way. Comparing her own home to these opulent residences felt futile. The European-style architecture, mostly in shades of yellow and gold, inspired thoughts of what her life might have been without the childhood abduction. Her mother's words hinted at a life among the wealthy. She imagined herself in one of those grand houses, free from judgment based on her looks. Occasionally, she pondered if her family still thought of her after so long. Would they accept her if they were reunited one day?

After passing several more estates, the carriage finally stopped in front of an impressive gate. Like the neighbouring villas, the gates were adorned with a golden hue. Upon speaking with the gatekeepers, they were granted entry. Anle gazed out the window as the carriage moved along the brick-lined path towards the grand mansion, peeking through the trees. The structure was a deep red, resembling a castle. It was undoubtedly the largest mansion on the island, surpassing all the other villas in grandeur.

The carriage pulled up to the front of the mansion, encircling the fountain at its centre. Coming to a stop, Anle noted that the Duke was still fast asleep. She hesitated to awaken him, but they had arrived nonetheless. With a gentle nudge, his emerald eyes suddenly flickered open.

"It appears that we have reached our destination, Your Grace," she informed him as he woke up. After stretching and rubbing his eyes, the Duke finally peered out the window. He turned towards her and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Forgive my impoliteness, I couldn't sleep at all last night."

"That's alright. It seemed like you needed the rest."

"Did I happen to snore?"

"Um, no. You are a quiet sleeper. Did you have any pleasant dreams?"

"Not really. I rarely dream on days like this. Anyway, we should probably disembark."

The Duke nodded and was the initial person to exit the carriage. He allowed the footman to assist Anle out of the carriage. Anle followed behind the Duke onto the gravel ground. The Duke appeared to be chatting with one of his companions. Anle wasn't really listening because she was completely focused on the mansion. It surpassed her expectations, being much larger and more magnificent than Madame Green's house and the academy. Anle wished Li Li could see it.

His Grace called out to Ms. Green, drawing her gaze towards him. He beckoned for her to come closer and introduced her to a man standing behind him on the Lanai stairs. As she approached, she could see the figure of a man in traditional English clothing. When she reached the top of the steps, she stopped in astonishment. Her eyes met his, and she was shocked to see him there. It had been more than a year since their last meeting, and she never thought they would cross paths again.

"This gentleman is Mr. Lau, newly arrived from Macau to offer his assistance to me," His Grace announced, introducing the newcomer to Anle. Anle, however, was too preoccupied with her thoughts to truly acknowledge His Grace, her focus solely on the man who had been a constant presence in her life for the past fourteen years. He was no stranger to her, but rather her brother, Ye Hua.