Page 48 of Gumiho Kiss
When he turned to Chin Sun, she lowered her gaze.
“What’s the purpose of this meeting?”Sang Mi pressed.“My cousin could get into a lot of trouble if anyone saw them.The gossip would be terrible, and Father—well, it wouldn’t be good.”
“Dol Sam has ...something to give her, that’s all.”
“Oh?”Sang Mi tilted her head.“A gift he couldn’t send to the house?”
“Yeh.”
“I wonder whatthatmight be....”There was no mistaking the suggestive note in her voice, let alone the kiss she blew Chin Sun’s way.
Chin Sun glared in return, but before she could apologize for her cousin’s indecency, Mr.Park turned to her.
“Lady Lee, why did you need to speak to me about this?Are you having second thoughts about marrying Dol Sam?”
His hawk-like stare was searching, nervous, as if he were afraid of her answer.
“I ...”
What was she supposed to say?If she admitted that she didn't want to marry Young Master Kang, would Mr.Park take it as a sign that she was interested in him instead?Would he give her the kiss she needed?
“You couldn’t have wished for a better person to marry.”
He’d spoken of Young Master Kang with such admiration—swaying him wouldn’t be easy.She’d have to convince him to betray his friend’s trust, a thought she hated to consider.
And even if she was successful, what then?She’d have destroyed a friendship and left Mr.Park with nothing.
But if she lied and said she wasn’t having second thoughts, would she lose her chance to get the bead back before it stole the rest of Mr.Park’s lifeforce?He hadn’t been in her life for long, but she’d glimpsed enough of his character to know he didn’t deserve such a fate.He may be frustrating and stubborn, but he was also brave, disciplined, self-sacrificing.
And the only man who made her feel capable of anything she set her mind to, even without her powers.
“Of course she isn’t,” Sang Mi cut in.“She just wanted to know if there was a good reason to put her reputation on the line.”She wrapped an arm around her cousin’s shoulders.“And a present is certainly a good reason.”
Chin Sun watched Mr.Park closely, trying to gauge his reaction.He didn’t speak at first, but his jaw tightened, almost like he was holding back anger.But why would he be angry?Because Sang Mi had butted in, or ...because he wanted Chin Sun to be having second thoughts?
He turned to Chin Sun with a stony expression.“Make sure you’re ready tomorrow evening at sunset.”
Chapter17
The Trap
Hyun Soo’s hand gripped the pommel of his sword as he snuck Lady Lee through the city streets.Every nerve in his body was on edge, waiting to see if Lady Lee would prove his suspicions true.
He hoped so desperately that she wouldn’t.
But whether that hope was for Dol Sam’s sake or his own, he couldn’t tell.By all rights, any desire he felt for her should have shriveled up the moment she’d become a suspect.It was important for him to be objective, clearheaded, especially when it came to an adversary as dangerous as Gwishin.
Yet even now, her presence was making it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.
The pair slunk through the shadows, stopping every so often to check for passersby.Most people had already returned to their homes for the night, but they’d come across a few stragglers leaving the tavern near the Lees’ residence.It wasn’t after curfew yet, but they still couldn’t afford to be seen.A single witness was all it took to start a wildfire of rumors.And Hyun Soo knew all too well how powerful rumors could be.
“Is it much farther?”Lady Lee whispered at his side.
Hyun Soo caught sight of people just ahead, so he pulled her close and put his hand over her mouth.He and Lady Lee huddled under the eaves of a yakbang, the local drug store and clinic, still some distance from their destination.An officer stood a few paces away, conversing with a gisaeng whose face was partially concealed by her jeonmo hat.They were laughing, oblivious to Hyun Soo and Lady Lee.A moment later, they strode off together and disappeared into the gisaeng house.
Hyun Soo let out his breath and looked down at his companion.Her eyes were wide, and even in the dying light, he could make out a maroon stain on her cheeks.
He released her with a soft apology and looked away.“Let’s keep going.This way.”
