The rickshaw bounced shakily from side to side over the rough cobblestone street. I had never liked the motion associated with sea travel and now I was being subjected to it on land!

The two wheeled mode of transportation, little more than a cart really, was popular in China and thus was now popular here in the Empire. I’m sure it was quite quaint on a dirt road but it had no place here.

Leaning forward, I tried to get our porter’s attention by shouting at his beefy back. “SLOW DOWN! We are LADIES back here, not SACKS OF BEANS!”

He paid me no attention.

The cart jumped and I had to grip the arm rest to avoid falling off.

Laurellyn placed a gloved hand on my arm. “This is no time for peevishness. I’d hate to be the subject of scandal just because you are feeling out of sorts.”

I flopped back against the thin cushions that lined the inside of the rickshaw and scowled at my best friend. She was right and that deserved my very best scowl.

She laughed. “You look horrid!”

I bared my teeth. “I know.”