The Tiger Prince

Chapter 7

’ve decided the toy has to be in two parts,” Ruel told Ian. “I owe one more day to Kartauk, so will you go to see this Namir tomorrow? I want one of the figures of the toy to be a maharajah, the other an elephant. Tell him he may use his own judgment for the rest as long as the first part of the toy is fascinating enough to intrigue and yet still whet the appetite for the second half.”

“Quite a challenge. How much time will he have?”

“Three days. The tracks are due to be joined in another six, and I don’t want excitement over the completion of the maharajah’s big toy to distract from his interest in this one.”

“Isn’t it dangerous to withhold something he wants from the maharajah?”

“Probably, but I’m counting on him wanting the other half of the toy more than feeding me to the crocodiles. Besides, he likes the British and I’ll make sure to involve Colonel Pickering in the final negotiations.”

Ian nodded. “Very well, I’ll go see Namir in the morning. I imagine you’ll have to pay him fairly well.”

“Anything he wants. Who knows? I may not have to pay the maharajah as much as I thought for Cinnidar. Kartauk had some interesting insights into his character.”

“You like Kartauk?”

“He’s a keen judge of character. I don’t have to like him to appreciate his astuteness.”

“But you do like him?” Ian persisted.

“Ian, dammit, I told you—yes, I like him.”

“Good. And you like this Li Sung?”

“Well enough.” He scowled. “All right, I’m positively brimming with warm and felicitous feelings. Satisfied?”

“Oh, yes, things are going quite nicely.”

“I wouldn’t have thought you’d be so overjoyed at the prospect of my possible success with the maharajah. If I persuade him to sell me Cinnidar, you know I won’t go back to Glenclaren.”

“If Cinnidar is best for you, then that’s what I want.” Ian smiled gently. “Lately I’ve begun to suspect there’s more than gold waiting for you on Cinnidar. I’m not sure it’s even the gold you really want. You need roots and a home that you’ll love as much as I love Glenclaren. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, Ruel.”

Christ, Ruel felt as if something hard and tight were breaking up inside him as he looked at his brother. He wanted to reach out and touch him, clap him affectionately on the shoulder as he had done when they were boys together. Everything seemed to be shifting, changing around him since he had come to Kasanpore.

Or was Ian right and it was Ruel who was changing?

No, he couldn’t accept that the lessons of a lifetime could be so easily discarded. He may have allowed Jane and Ian to touch him on a certain level, but once he had paid his debt he’d be able to dismiss them from his thoughts and go about his own business.

“I’m glad you’re not disappointed,” he said in a reserved tone. “Good night, Ian.”

Ian smiled again. “Good night, Ruel.”

“In four more days we’ll be joining the rails,” Patrick said. “Lord, and it’s about time. I’ll be glad to see the last of this foul country. This last week has almost killed me.”

“I could come tomorrow and help you,” Jane offered.

“I wouldn’t think of it,” Patrick said. “You just stay here and let me do the work for a change.” He stood up and stretched. “I’ve got to get to bed. I’d forgotten how tired a man gets working the rails.”

“But I really want to help, Patrick,” she said eagerly. “Remember how it was in the beginning when we worked together in Salisbury?”

“You’ve done your share. Now let me do mine.”

She was disappointed but reluctantly decided not to insist. Patrick had cut his drinking down to less than a quarter of a bottle a day since he had taken over the site from her. If it was responsibility that had made this change in him, she would be foolish to rob him of it. “Well, if you change your mind—” She paused and then said casually, “Since you won’t let me help with the construction, I hope you won’t mind if I make the trial run to Narinth?”

“Why should I mind?” Patrick yawned. “I’ll be glad to stay home and rest my bones after the last week. I’ve got to take the maharajah and all those highbrow nabobs to Narinth the next day, and he’ll probably find a hundred things wrong.”

She hadn’t expected any other answer but still felt relieved. “Then it’s settled. I’ll bring Li Sung from Narinth to engineer and I’ll ride the fireman seat.”

“Whatever you like.” Patrick moved toward the bedroom. “It’s about time Li Sung came back and did some real work for a change. I bet he’s not out in the rain working the rails.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “And I noticed our friend MacClaren quit us the minute the rains started. I keep telling him I’m the only one who has the gumption to put up with this foul weather.”

“You do? When did you last see him?” she asked with careful casualness.

“Oh, he drops in at the site every day or so for a cup of coffee or a word.”

She hadn’t known Ruel had gone back to the site after that first afternoon and for an instant felt a completely unreasonable flicker of gratitude. After all, Ruel was not keeping an eye on Patrick for her sake. He wanted the railway completed as fast as possible so that he could get Kartauk out of Kasanpore.

Ruel staring at her across the temple, his gaze searing, demanding, holding.

“Your cheeks are flushed,” Patrick said idly. “Are you coming down with something?”

Her discomposure must be blatantly evident if Patrick, who never noticed anything about her, commented on it, she thought in exasperation. “No, I’m just feeling the heat. It seems worse since the rains came.” She jumped up from her chair and bid Patrick good night.

She would get over this craving, she thought desperately. She was not an animal.

Yet her body’s response to Ruel was like that of an animal in heat. There was not a moment in his presence she was not aware of him. When she had met his gaze in the temple she had felt a melting, a yielding that had frightened her.

She would ignore it and eventually this hunger would go away.

Dear God, it had to go away.

···

Ruel carefully placed the toy in a large box and then wrapped the package in bright crimson velvet and tied it with a flamboyant white satin bow.

An hour later he handed the package to the head footman at the palace, together with an extravagant bribe and the promise of an even bigger one if the maharajah received the gift at once.

He then went back to the hotel to wait for events to take their course.

The message came the next morning in the form of a summons from the palace to appear immediately for an audience with the Maharajah Dulai Savitsar.

An hour later he was ushered into the reception chamber to find the maharajah kneeling on the floor, the toy board on the carpet before him. The maharajah’s small, plump frame was garbed in a brilliant red brocade tunic and white silk trousers, and he bore little resemblance to his son, Abdar. Gray peppered the ruler’s bushy mustache and sleek black hair and, at that moment, there was no trace of Abdar’s blank impassiveness about his father’s demeanor. He was clearly displeased.

“You’re this Ruel MacClaren?” The maharajah didn’t wait for an answer but went on peevishly. “I’m very angry with you. It does not work. There’s something wrong with it.”

The four-foot board at which he was staring was a representation of a jungle with each tree, bush, flower, and animal exquisitely crafted and amazingly lifelike. The central figure on the board was a tiny maharajah wearing a gold tunic and tiny bejeweled crown. Ian had told Ruel that Namir had worked a year creating this elaborate toy and had found it necessary to substitute only a few of the figures to suit Ruel’s requirements.

“You see?” The maharajah pressed the mechanism.

A lion sprang at the tiny crowned figure, appeared to just miss him, but really triggered another mechanism, causing the maharajah to rise in the air and be lost to view behind the foliage of the branches of a tree. This action in turn triggered another mechanism that caused a figure identical to the first maharajah to spring down on the other side of the tree to stand before a rhinoceros. The rhinoceros charged and the second royal figure rose to be lost to view in the next tree. The motion of attack and evasion continued across the board, using various animals and reptiles with the tiny maharajah always evading the threat until he reached the edge of the board which resembled a high cliff. The final mechanism sent the maharajah hurtling into the air and then stopped, suspended over the abyss.

“Look at that. He just hangs there like an overripe pomegranate,” the maharajah complained. “Everyone knows a maharajah must always triumph against fate. It is most unsatisfying.”

“That’s because you don’t have the other part of the toy.”

The maharajah looked up quickly. “What other part?”

Ruel pointed to the almost invisible slots in the side of the toy. “The second half of the toy slides in here. The maharajah survives the fall from the cliff and lands before a tiger, then springs into another tree and then lands on the back of a magnificent white elephant, where he is safe at last.”

The maharajah’s eyes brightened. “An elephant?”

“A white elephant. What other animal is worthy to bear a maharajah?”

“That’s what I told my High Adviser, but they cannot find a real one for me. They keep making excuses.” He frowned with dissatisfaction at the figure hanging over the cliff. “I must have the other part of the toy. What kind of man are you to give me only half a gift?”

“But an extraordinary gift, one worthy of Your Majesty’s cleverness. I saw it in the shop and knew instantly it was fit only for a man of your taste and intelligence.”

“But I need the other part.”

“I’m searching for it now. Unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced it.”

The maharajah’s gaze narrowed on Ruel’s face. “And what would it take to help you find it?” He sighed. “I suppose you wish me to give you a present in return? Everyone wants something from me. What do you want me to give you?”

“Sell, not give. You own a small island in the Indian Ocean called Cinnidar I wish to purchase. I’ll give you forty thousand pounds for it.”

“Cinnidar? I do not recall …” He impatiently waved a plump, dimpled hand. “It cannot be very important if I don’t remember the place. I will ask my adviser if you offer a fair price. Meanwhile, you will continue to look for the other half of the toy?”

“Diligently. May I call on you tomorrow with word of my progress?”

“Yes, yes.” The maharajah turned back to the jungle board, pressed the button to reset the mechanism, and watched enraptured as the lion rose in the air. “Tomorrow.”

Hallelujah, Ruel thought jubilantly as he walked down the palace steps. It was only the first step but a damn big one. All the prospects looked bright. Even the rain that had been pouring down when he entered the palace had temporarily stopped. The murky sky would no doubt soon open up again, but it was still a good sign.

“The hotel, sahib?” the bearer asked as he climbed into the ricksha.

“Yes.” Then on impulse he said, “No.” He was brimming with hope he wanted to share but suddenly he knew it was not with Ian he wanted to share it. “Take me to the bungalow of Sahib Reilly.”

The cobra wove back and forth, his onyx eyes fixed malevolently on the dog excitedly darting back and forth directly in front of him.

Dear God, don’t let him strike, Jane prayed as she edged inside the stable door. She carefully set the bowl of scraps she’d brought for Sam on the floor and reached for the knife in her boot.

The snake was coiled in the middle of the stable directly in front of Bedelia’s stall. If he didn’t strike at the yapping dog dancing in front of him, he might turn on the mare.

“For God’s sake, hush, Sam,” she breathed.

The idiotic dog paid no attention to her, of course. His barking grew more shrill as the snake suddenly arched to a height of nearly four feet.

The blasted cobra must be at least ten feet long. If he launched that length at Sam, the dog would never be able to evade him. She glanced impatiently down at the knife in her hand and tossed it aside. A dagger would be no good as a weapon against the snake. To use it she would have to be too close. That pitchfork propped against the wall would be much more effective.

She froze as the snake’s head swiveled in her direction. Her heart was thundering so hard it seemed louder than the uproar Sam was making. Though she was beyond the cobra’s reach, fear still iced through her as she was pinned by those beady eyes.

Sam bounced to one side and the cobra’s head swung toward him.

Jane’s hand closed on the handle of the pitchfork.

“Back, Sam!” she cried desperately. “For heaven’s sake, stop teasing him.” She moved slowly in a circle until she was behind the snake.

“What the hell are you doing?”

She pulled her gaze from the cobra to see Ruel standing in the doorway. His skin was death-pale and gleaming with sweat. “Get away from him.”

“Be quiet!” Jane said sharply, her gaze shifting back to the snake. “And stand perfectly still. If you scare him, he might strike at Sam.”

“I don’t give a damn about Sam,” he said hoarsely. “Get away from that goddamn snake before he kills you.”

Jane ignored him and took a step closer. Four yards from the cobra. Three yards.

Ruel muttered an obscenity. “All right, I’ll get that crazy hound.” He took a step toward the dog. “Just get out of here!”

The cobra caught the motion and reared higher, hissing.

“Don’t move,” Jane whispered. Ruel froze.

The snake was confused, his attention divided between Sam and Ruel. He had forgotten about her. If she were quick, she might be able to—

She dashed forward, holding the pitchfork out in front of her. She caught the snake’s body between the tines and slung it across the stable. His long body struck the wall. Stunned, he fell writhing to the floor.

Sam immediately darted after it.

“No!” she screamed.

Ruel cursed steadily as he ran after the dog and scooped him up only a scant foot away from the serpent.

“Hold him!” Jane pushed Ruel aside and brought the wooden handle of the pitchfork down on the snake’s puffed head with all her strength. She struck again and again and again….

She stopped, breathless, as she realized the snake was no longer moving. “I … think he’s … dead.”

Ruel didn’t answer.

She poked at the snake with the pitchfork. No response. “It’s safe to let Sam down now.” She turned to look at Ruel, “He was a big one, wasn’t he? I don’t remember ever seeing one that size around here. They’re usually much— Let me go!”

Ruel’s hands were grasping her shoulders. “Damn you.” He shook her, his eyes blazing in his white face. “Damn you!”

“Get your hands off me or you’ll get this pitchfork in your belly,” she said fiercely.

“Do you think I care? You and your damn pitchfork and your goddamn snake.” He shook her again. “I could—” His hands fell away from her, and he staggered toward the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked, startled by the sudden abandonment.

“To throw up.” Ruel’s voice was muffled as he dashed outside.

She gazed after him in astonishment. She had been terribly frightened too, but Ruel’s extreme response was completely unexpected. She impulsively started after him and then stopped. Li Sung hated to be seen in moments of weakness, and Ruel would probably be even more resentful. While she was still shaking with her own fear she didn’t feel up to handling his bad temper. She turned back to Sam, who was sniffing at the dead snake. “All right, you troublemaker, let’s get rid of him.”

When she left the stable a few minutes later, Ruel was scooping water from the horse trough onto his face. His slicker lay on the ground beside him and his damp shirt clung to his torso. His face was still pale as he lifted his head to look at her. “Sorry,” he said curtly. “I don’t like snakes.”

“Neither do I.” She shrugged. “But I got used to them. I grew up in tents, and it wasn’t unusual for one to come visiting.”

“Why in the hell didn’t you do what I said?” he asked harshly. “You could have been—”

“Sam,” she interrupted. “The snake would have killed him.”

“And that’s worth risking your life for?”

“He belongs to me,” she said simply. “You have to take care of what belongs to you.”

He stared at her. “Christ.”

She bristled. “It’s none of your business. Sam’s not very smart, but he’s—”

“He’s an asinine hound.” He added grimly, “And a fitting animal for you. I couldn’t believe it when I saw you charging that cobra with a pitchfork. I wanted to strangle you.” His hands balled into fists. “God, I was scared.”

She hadn’t expected him to admit it. “So was I.”

“But snakes don’t make you freeze and break into a sweat.” He smiled lopsidedly. “I didn’t cut such a brave figure, did I? Hell, I was a sniveling coward. All I wanted to do was to turn tail and run away.”

“But you didn’t run away,” she said quietly. “You told me to go. You were going to help Sam.”

“Because there wasn’t any other way to get you out of that damn place. I saw you there and I—” He broke off and drew a shaky breath. “Jesus, I hated every second of it.”

She had never seen Ruel at a disadvantage, and this evidence of weakness filled her with curiosity. “Why are you so afraid of snakes?”

“We’re all afraid of something.” He picked up his slicker from the ground and pulled it over his head. Then as he saw her still watching him he shrugged. “I suppose I owe you an explanation for being such a damn coward.” He was silent a moment and then admitted, “I was bitten once.”

Her eyes widened. “By a cobra?”

“No, this was years ago at Glenclaren. An adder. I used to sleep in the hills sometimes.” He spoke quickly, jerkily, as if he wanted to get through it. “I told you about my pet fox. I used to take him with me. It got lonely sometimes. I woke up one night with a stinging in my left leg and found the adder snuggled under my blanket. I killed him with a rock.” His lips tightened. “But I found my fox dead a few yards away. The damn snake had killed him before he decided to crawl in bed with me.”

“Oh no,” she whispered.

“I took off my shirt and tore a strip off to bind my leg and went to find help.” He lifted his shoulders. “I was never a lucky lad. My mother had decided to go to the village for the night. Ian found me unconscious the next morning and got help for me.”

“Not before?” she asked, horrified. “Why didn’t someone else—”

He ignored the question. “End of tale. I was on my feet in short order and none the worse.”

Except he had lost a pet he loved and incurred a horror of snakes that would last him a lifetime.

His expression altered, closed. He said lightly, “You can see why I approved Kartauk rendering Abdar as a serpent on his golden door. I can’t imagine a greater insult.” He turned toward the ricksha waiting on the road beside the bungalow. “I believe it’s time I made my way back to the hotel. Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with any more of my reminiscences.”

“I wasn’t bored,” she said slowly. “It made me sad.”

“Really? I can’t understand why.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, yes, it must be the fox. Your heart is bleeding for my furry friend?”

“No.” But she had an idea his heart had bled that night. Not that he would admit to such weakness.

“Then it must be for me,” he said mockingly. “Tell me, do you want to take me under your wing as you have Kartauk?”

She stiffened as she realized how much of her resistance toward him had melted during the past moments. How stupid of her. Ruel was no more defenseless than that cobra she had dealt with in the stable. She hurriedly changed the subject. “Why did you come here? Is there something wrong?”

An indefinable expression crossed his face. “I just decided to drop by.”

His answer surprised her. Ruel and she were hardly on terms that would invite such a casual visit. “How was your interview with the maharajah?”

“Good.” All mockery completely disappeared as a sudden brilliant smile lit his face. “No, very good.”

“You think you’ll get your Cinnidar?”

He nodded. “I’m damn close.” He glanced at Sam. “Keep that dog in the bungalow no matter what your precious Patrick says. You don’t want another snake to pay him a visit. There are too many cracks in that stable floor.”

“I’d already decided to do that.”

“That’s right. You don’t need any advice from me, do you?” He took off his hat and bowed.

He was walking toward the ricksha when a sudden thought occurred to her.

“Ruel, how old were you when you were bitten by the snake?”

He glanced at her over his shoulder.

“I don’t remember. About nine, I suppose.”

She watched the ricksha roll away in a jingle of melodious bells.

It got lonely sometimes.

Nine years old. She had thought he had been speaking of a time when he was much older. What had a child that young been doing alone in the hills at night? And why had he not been found until the next day, after he had made his way back to the castle? She would probably never know the answers to those questions. Ruel had clearly slammed the door on any further confidences.

Not that she wanted to breach those barriers, she assured herself quickly. Just when she thought her own defenses impregnable, he had found a way to squeeze through them. The most exasperating aspect was that he had not even been trying. He had shown her weakness instead of strength, honesty instead of deception.

And in that vulnerability he was more dangerous to her than ever before.

“You’ve brought it?” the maharajah asked eagerly as soon as Ruel walked into the audience chamber the next afternoon.

“No, but I think I’m close to finding it.” Ruel paused. “Unfortunately, I’ve been so distressed by this business of the purchase that my memory has completely flown away.”

The maharajah scowled. “Why do you play this silly game? I know you could give it to me if you wished.”

Ruel merely smiled and remained silent.

“Oh, very well, you may have the island, but not for forty thousand pounds. The High Adviser says it’s worth at least ten thousand more.”

Ruel tried not to let the tension show in his expression. “I’m not a rich man. I could perhaps afford another five.”

“Done.” The maharajah smiled craftily. “We’ll sign the papers after you give me the—”

Ruel cut in quickly, “My brother and Colonel Pickering are outside in the anteroom with the proper agreements. Perhaps we could sign the papers now and then I could devote my entire attention to finding the other piece.” He paused. “You might have it within the hour.”

“Then let’s have it over with,” the maharajah said impatiently. “Call them in.”

Forty-five minutes later Ruel tucked one copy of the legal agreements in his pocket and handed another to Colonel Pickering, who in turn gave a bank draft to the High Adviser.

“There, it’s done,” the maharajah said. “Now keep your promise.”

“I have every intention of doing so.” Ruel snapped his fingers. “The carriage. I’ve just remembered I left the other package in the carriage after I left the toy store.” He turned to Ian. “Would you go out and fetch it for His Majesty?”

“Delighted.” Ian moved toward the door with Colonel Pickering. “I’ll give it to a footman and meet you at the front entrance.”

The maharajah watched them leave the chamber before turning and smiling slyly at Ruel. “You think you’ve bested me, don’t you?”

“Why would I think that?”

“But I’m the one who has cheated you. Cinnidar is worthless. My adviser said it’s just a barbarian wilderness of jungle, mountains, and wild animals. Even the summer palace my great-grandfather built there has probably rotted away with disuse. The island’s not worth a quarter of what I charged you for it.”

“Then you’ve obviously made a fool of me.”

He pouted. “You don’t appear upset. I wanted you to be upset.”

Ruel allowed himself a small smile when he felt like jumping in the air and shouting. By God, he had it! “No doubt when I’ve had time to think about my foolishness I’ll be appropriately dismayed.”

The maharajah brightened. “No doubt. I’ve been very clever, haven’t I?”

“Very clever.” Ruel turned and left the audience chamber.

···

“You had to give more than you planned for it,” Ian said as soon as Ruel joined him.

“I still have three thousand pounds left. It will get me started.”

“I wish I could help you,” Ian said, frowning. “But you know there’s never been any money at Glenclaren.”

“I don’t want your money, Ian,” Ruel interrupted.

“It’s your money too. I’ve always planned on sharing what little there is with you.” He added gently, “Don’t let bitterness stop you from accepting what’s yours.”

“I’m not bitter.” Ruel realized to his astonishment that he spoke the truth. For the first time since he could remember, he felt entirely free of bitterness. It was as if the acquisition of Cinnidar had miraculously banished the weight of those painful memories and made him suddenly lighter … younger. “Keep your money, Ian. Glenclaren needs it worse than I do. I’ll find a way to get what I need. I’ll be fine.”

Ian studied his face and then slowly nodded. “Yes, I believe you will. I guess it’s time I went home.” He cleared his throat and said, “Suppose we kill two birds with one stone? I’ll arrange passage on a ship out of Narinth for myself and a servant and go with you on the trial run. Scotland should be as safe for Kartauk as anywhere else.”

“But will Glenclaren be safe from him,” Ruel murmured. “He might decide to tear down the battlements to make a furnace.”

“What?”

“Never mind. I’m sure Maggie will be able to put a stop to any blatant desecration.”

“Margaret,” Ian corrected him automatically, then in a softer tone. “Margaret.”

Ruel felt an overwhelming surge of affection as he looked at Ian’s wistful face. Now that Ian was leaving, it was safe to lower the barriers he had raised against him so long ago. Even if it hadn’t been safe, he didn’t know if he could have stifled the emotion. In this moment the world seemed a bright and kind place, where no walls were necessary. “I’ll try to remember,” he said gently. “Margaret.”

“Cinnidar,” Abdar murmured. “You’re sure it was Cinnidar?”

Pachtal nodded. “So the emir said. He was boasting about what a fool the Scot was to buy a worthless island.”

“MacClaren is no fool. Cinnidar must have value of some sort. After we have Kartauk we may have to look into that purchase.” Abdar shrugged. “And, now that MacClaren has what he wants, we’ve lost a weapon. Pity. I believe the Scot provided us with an excellent chance to get Kartauk back.”

“And what now?”

“Now we must find Kartauk on our own … which means Jane Barnaby. Go to Zabrie’s and find out if the Chinese boy has returned.”

“I could approach the girl again and attempt to bring her here. Time has passed and she will probably not expect a move on our part.”

“Not yet. She has already demonstrated she is both loyal and stubborn, and it would take considerable time and effort to get the information out of her.” He reached out a finger and stroked the dagger in the goddess’s hand. “The railroad is nearly completed and she and Reilly will leave Kasanpore soon.”

Pachtal smiled. “Which means she will wish to leave Kartauk safe.”

“It seems a reasonable surmise. So we stay very close and when the opportunity presents itself—”

“We scoop Kartauk up and bring him back to the palace.”

“At last.” His finger touched a golden drop of blood. “I cannot tolerate that fool of a Benares for much longer. Compared to Kartauk his skills are laughable.” He smiled. “And since my father has no further use for the girl now that the railroad is completed, I believe we may also take her. Do you not think it fitting we let his little savior be Kartauk’s first subject?”

“Scotland?” Kartauk frowned. “My mother told me it was a stark, cold country. An artist needs warmth and color to feed his soul. I like the sunlight.”

“But I wager you like your hands better,” Ruel said.

“True.” He shrugged philosophically. “Perhaps I’ll get used to the cold. Your brother will be my patron?”

“Ian can’t afford to give you more than a roof over your head.”

“No matter. I will find a patron for myself. Perhaps your Queen Victoria. I hear she has much gold.”

“I’m sure she’ll be delighted to know you have plans for it.”

“Once she has seen my work, I’m sure she will also. Maybe I will even consent to do her head.” He frowned. “Though I doubt it. Her face does not please me and I abhor double chins. I’ll make her a salt cellar instead.” He turned to Jane. “Where do you and Patrick go after you finish here?”

“Patrick doesn’t have any offers of employment yet. He said we’ll make a decision as soon as we get the money from the maharajah.” She braced herself and turned to Li Sung. “I want your promise you won’t leave the temple until the night we go to Narinth.”

He gazed at her without expression. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Why do you ask when you know the answer?”

“Li Sung, I told you what happened at Zabrie’s.”

“And I have not gone to her since that time.”

“It’s even more dangerous for you to go to her now.”

“You do not know she betrayed you. She has given me gifts. It would not be proper for me to leave without saying good-bye.” He didn’t wait for a reply but walked out of the temple.

Jane’s hands clenched into fists with frustration. She wanted to strike out at something.

“Li Sung is no fool. He won’t betray us to the woman, Jane,” Kartauk said quietly.

“Do you think I don’t know that? I’m afraid for him. I wish I’d never given that woman one rupee.”

“And why did you give her money, Jane?” Ruel asked softly.

“Because I was stupid. Because I never thought—”

“Because she has too much heart,” Kartauk said. “She saw that Li Sung was hurting and tried to ease his hurt. Because of his race and his crippled leg, he was shunned by women, even the whores in houses like Zabrie’s.”

“So you went to Zabrie and paid her to make sure he was made to feel like a man, not a cripple,” Ruel said.

“You’re not to tell him,” she said fiercely.

“I respect Li Sung. I wouldn’t hurt him, Jane.”

“Wouldn’t you?” She strode across the room toward the temple entrance. “We’ll leave the station for Narinth at seven two nights from now, Kartauk. Ruel thinks the safest place for you to wait for the train is on the other side of Lanpur Gorge. I’ll come for you in the early afternoon of that day and take you to the gorge.”

Ruel followed her out of the temple. “I’d better be the one to come for Kartauk. If Abdar’s found out I’ve managed to buy Cinnidar from the maharajah, he’ll know you’re his only route to Kartauk and will be keeping a closer watch on you.”

“You can’t come here alone. You don’t know the way.”

“Yes, I do.” He smiled as he saw her startled expression. “I could have led you here the last three times. I have a very good sense of direction and the maze you ran me was nothing compared to the sewers of London. Did I mention I was once a rat catcher?”

Her lips tightened. “So you made a fool of me again.”

His smile vanished. “I could never make a fool of you, Jane. You have too much dignity and strength.”

For the first time since he had arrived at the bungalow today, she really looked at him. The hardness that was so much a part of his expression was gone, she realized. No, perhaps not entirely gone, but the gentleness with which he was looking at her reminded her of Ian. Impossible, it had to be a trick. He was nothing like his brother. “Sweet words.”

“True words.” He glanced away from her. “I want to tell you something else.” He paused before blurting out, “I’m … sorry.”

“What?” she said blankly.

“You heard me. Don’t ask me to repeat it.” He strode on down the path, still not looking at her. “And I won’t lie and tell you I wouldn’t do the same thing again. I wanted you and I wanted Cinnidar and there’s every chance I’d fall from grace.”

“Then why apologize? Why this change?”

“You too? Why does everyone insist I’ve changed? I merely wanted to—”

“Why?” she repeated.

He was silent a moment and then finally said simply, “I think I’m happy. I don’t ever remember being happy. I’ve been content, satisfied, but not happy. It’s a very odd feeling.”

“And now you’re happy because you’ve got your Cinnidar?”

“It’s more than Cinnidar. It’s like …”

“What?”

“A new life, a chance to start over …” He grinned. “Like getting off the train at the last stop and knowing it’s where you want to be. Does that make it clearer?”

“Yes.” He was describing how she had felt when she left Frenchie’s those many years ago, and she felt a sudden sense of kinship with him. “That makes it much clearer.”

“Anyway, I wanted to tell you.” He paused and then changed the subject. “You really think Li Sung will go to Zabrie?”

She nodded miserably. “He won’t listen to me. I wanted him to be happy but—” She had to steady her voice. “He’s always helped me and I wanted to help him too. Blast it, I should never have interfered.”

“How did he help you?”

“So many ways.”

“Tell me one.”

“Books. He taught me to read and write and cipher. His father believed knowledge would save Li Sung from staying a common laborer and made him study every book he could get his hands on from the time he was a small child. What Li Sung didn’t know, we learned together.”

“Kartauk said you’ve been together a long time.”

“He came to Frenchie’s, the place I grew up, when he was twelve. His father had been killed and Li Sung’s leg crushed in an accident a few months before. He was seventeen when we left with Patrick.”

“What kind of accident?”

“His father was a brakeman and was training Li Sung to the trade.” Her smile was bitter. “Li Sung was very proud of his father. Chinese were considered good enough to work the rails but not to be an engineer or fire a train, and even brakemen jobs were rare. His father could do all three and taught Li Sung. However, braking the train was his primary duty and one day he and Li Sung were both caught between two railroad cars and crushed.”

Ruel’s lips pursed in a low whistle.

“Oh, it wasn’t an unusual accident. It happened all the time before Westinghouse invented the air brake that could be worked from the cab by the engineer. Before that a link-and-pin coupler fastened one car to another, and to work it a brakeman had to stand between the cars. If he didn’t get the pin into the link at the right moment, the cars would come together and crush him.” Her lips tightened. “Which may be why the honor of being a brakeman was given to a Chinese. Li Sung’s father would probably never have been promoted to engineer,”

“And does the maharajah’s train have these air brakes?”

She nodded. “I had to cut corners on other things, but I made sure of those brakes.” She gave him a sidewise glance. “Why are you asking all these questions about Li Sung?”

“No reason,” Ruel said casually. “Just curious.”

“You were very strong tonight,” Zabrie murmured as she brushed a kiss on Li Sung’s shoulder. “Every time you get better and better.” She rose from the bed, draped herself in a gossamer-thin shawl that accented rather than hid her nudity. “Wine?”

Li Sung shook his head as he sat up in bed. “I must leave now.”

“Not yet. Stay awhile.” Zabrie crossed to the table and poured herself a glass of wine. “I have no other customers, and even if I did, I would give them to one of the other women.” She turned and smiled at him. “For you.”

She was more beautiful than he had ever seen her, Li Sung thought. Or perhaps it was because this was the last time, she appeared more lovely to him.

She moved back toward him. “I should be angry. You have not come to see me in a long time.” She sat down beside him on the bed, her middle finger tracing a line across his chest. “Why?”

“I was—” He broke off as her hennaed nail raked his nipple. “I cannot think when you do that, and there is something I must say.”

“I don’t wish you to think.”

His hand covered hers on his chest. “I want to say good-bye.”

Her head lifted. “You are leaving Kasanpore? When?” “Soon.”

“That is no answer.” She was silent a moment, looking at him. “Take me with you.” His eyes widened. “What?”

“I want to go with you.” She set her goblet on the floor beside the bed and leaned over to kiss his chest. “You know I please you and could make you happy. I’m weary of these men who use me and then spit on me because of my birth. You do not treat me this way.”

“No.” He felt a leap of hope as he gently stroked her shining black hair. The scent of jasmine drifted to him; he loved the way she always smelled of flowers and spices. “I also have known that pain. You truly wish to go with me?”

“Give me a week to settle my affairs here in Kasanpore and I’ll—” She caught his expression. “No?”

“Two days.”

“It will rush me, but it can be done.” She threw aside the shawl and moved over him. “I want you again. We will talk of the details later. Yes?”

“Zabrie …” He closed his eyes as her hand closed around him and he began to harden. Did he love her? At times he was sure he loved her. Certainly his body was enslaved by her. “Yes, we will talk later….”

He was a fool, Ruel told himself as he glared at the door of Zabrie’s pleasure house through the heavily falling rain. Not only was he a fool but would probably be a drowned fool if he didn’t give up this watch and go back to the hotel.

Li Sung walked out of Zabrie’s.

Ruel warily straightened away from the wall as he saw Li Sung cross the street and head directly to the alcove where Ruel was standing.

“You appear a little damp,” Li Sung said.

“I’m damn near floating away.” Ruel grimaced. “You knew I was here?”

“I’ve grown accustomed to watching behind me in the last weeks. I suppose you had a reason for following me?”

“Maybe I only felt like taking a stroll.”

Li Sung smiled derisively as he glanced out at the driving rain. “It is an odd night for a walk. Are you so fond of the rain?”

“I’ve forgotten it ever did anything else in Kasanpore.”

“Are you going to answer me?”

Ruel shrugged. “I thought it wouldn’t hurt to make sure you weren’t surprised.”

“Zabrie would not surprise me.”

“It’s not wise to trust anyone too far, Li Sung.”

“I thank you for your advice.”

“But you have no intention of heeding it.” Ruel nodded. “I’m not good at taking advice myself. Zabrie asked no questions?”

Li Sung glanced back at the house. “She wishes to go with me.”

Ruel went still. “How … surprising. And I suppose you told her about our plans to leave in two days.”

“I told her.”

Ruel said carefully, “May I suggest that wasn’t the most clever—”

“Hush.” Li Sung’s hand closed on Ruel’s arm and jerked him farther back into the shadows.

Ruel’s gaze followed Li Sung’s and his lips pursed in a soundless whistle.

Zabrie had come out of the house and was moving quickly down the street.

“AN odd night for a walk.” Ruel repeated Li Sung’s words.

“Yes.” Li Sung’s voice was strained. “Come.” He started down the street after Zabrie.

Ruel followed him. “Where are we going?”

“I have to see where she is going.”

Zabrie’s destination became obvious fifteen minutes later when she disappeared through the gates of the Savitsar palace.

“Abdar,” Ruel said.

Li Sung stared at the gate through which Zabrie had disappeared.

“No harm done, Li Sung,” Ruel said quietly. “We can change our plans now that we know she’s betrayed us.”

“No harm done,” Li Sung repeated dully. He slowly turned and limped down the street. “But we have no need to change our plans. I told Zabrie we were taking a boat from a point down the river to Narinth. I’m quite sure Pachtal and Abdar will be waiting on the dock in Narinth for us two nights from now.”

Ruel’s gaze narrowed on his face. “You suspected her?”

“I am no fool. At times she made me feel like a giant, but I know I am only a cripple.” His lips twisted bitterly. “No, she thought me worse than a cripple, a dupe.”

“Well, you’re no dupe. You were planning on waiting outside to see if she would go to Abdar?”

“I had to be certain. One can know with one’s mind and still not believe.” He turned to Ruel. “It is finished and you need no longer stay with me. Neither you nor Jane have reason to feel uneasy any longer.”

“Jane has nothing to do with this. You’re going back to the temple?”

He nodded.

“It’s a long way.” Ruel’s lids lowered to veil his eyes. “My hotel is only a block from here and Ian keeps a bottle of whiskey in his room.”

“I do not drink liquor. It blurs the mind and makes children of wise men.”

“Just a thought.” Ruel smiled at him. “Sometimes a wee drop helps to keep the damp away. If you change your mind, you’re welcome. Good night, Li Sung.” He turned the corner and started up the street toward the hotel.

“Wait.”

Ruel glanced over his shoulder to see Li Sung limping down the street behind him.

“Perhaps a wee drop.”