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hadn’t actually met Hasuko before the wedding, so he’d been unable to judge her character.
    Most men didn’t care what their wives or anyone else thought about them, but Taro was different. He had genuinely wanted his new wife to feel welcome and to learn to respect him because he was worth it, not because she had to. When he’d seen how lovely she was, he also decided to show her how pleased he was with the match, in the hope that she was too. So far his demonstrations had fallen on stony ground and it all felt very one-sided.
    ‘Have you had any visions since?’ he asked.
    ‘Only once, when I heard her voice in the garden, together with that of her sister. Now there’s another one that bears watching.’
    Taro had concluded that as well. The Lady Reiko was constantly at her sister’s side, making sure Hasuko had everything she needed. The two were practically inseparable and seemed to be the best of friends. And yet, whenever Taro looked at his sister-in-law, she sent him flirtatious glances which disconcerted him no end.
    Although she was a widow whose husband had died soon after their marriage, he was uncomfortable with her forward behaviour. He couldn’t imagine what she hoped to gain by it, unless she wanted him to take her on as an official consort so that she would have a position in his household too. Legally, he could have a wife and as many consorts as he wished, but why would he want her when he had Hasuko? No other woman could possibly compare to his wife. Besides, her father would no doubt wish to marry Reiko off to cement an alliance with some other family.
    ‘And what was your second vision?’ he said now.
    Yanagihara turned his head away. ‘It was the same.’
    ‘What could be the cause, do you think?’
    Yanagihara didn’t comment on the fact that his master now seemed to believe him, where before he had dismissed the vision abruptly. He turned back to look into Taro’s eyes.
    ‘It is my guess that the Lady Hasuko thinks herself above you and perhaps resented her father choosing you for her husband. There was some talk of her marrying the Shogun ’s nephew, I heard, but nothing came of it. She may have been disappointed. Some women are every bit as ambitious as men, if not more so. Although naturally they can’t act on their inclinations except by subtle means. Another possibility is that she was physically attracted to the Shogun ’s nephew. I’ve heard he is a favourite with the ladies.’
    ‘Well, I know I’m not related to the Shogun , but there is nothing wrong with my lineage and although I say it myself, I’ve had my fair share of flirtatious glances from ladies I’ve met. And I have more than enough wealth and land. I can give her anything she wants, she only has to ask.’ Taro scowled. He didn’t want to believe the old man, but his words made sense. His wife certainly had a very high opinion of her own worth, and so did Reiko. That much he had understood from the way they treated his servants. And she most definitely hadn’t shown any signs of finding him attractive.
    ‘Her family is more ancient than yours and related to the Shogun themselves. She could have married anyone. Her father only chose you because you are neighbours and he is lazy. He can’t bestir himself to do anything strenuous.’ Yanagihara snorted to show his disdain for such sloth, and added, ‘I mean no disrespect, my lord. He chose well when he settled on you, but I doubt he gave the match much thought so it was pure luck. His daughter may think differently.’
    ‘Hmmph.’ Taro crossed his arms over his chest. That was indeed the impression he had received of his father-in-law, but even so … ‘Well, there’s no going back now, is there. And I don’t really want to. All I’m asking for is her respect, perhaps even a measure of admiration or appreciation of my good qualities. Is that too much, do you think? Or are you suggesting I should divorce her?’
    ‘No, no. She hasn’t done anything