"He was well able to carefor himself." Margaret moved her shoulders impatiently. "Enough aboutRuel. The rascal always seems to garner the bulk of attention even when he'snot on the same continent." She stood up and carried the potatoes over tothe fireplace and poured them into the boiling kettle. "Now, tell me aboutthe Chinese and that arrogant coxcomb who came with you."
Two hours later Margaret sweptinto Ian's chamber. "Have they made you comfortable?" She glanced atKartauk sitting beside the bed. "We don't need you here any longer. Youmay go and find a place to set up your workshop. Jane tells me you may be hereawhile and will need a place to putter."
"Putter." He saidthe word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. "Dabble. You have nounderstanding of the importance of my work."
"But I have an excellentunderstanding of the importance of mine." She gestured toward the door."Choose anyplace you like, but go."
Kartauk scowled. "Whatelse could I expect in this cold, barbaric country." He left the chamber.
"And good riddance."Margaret crossed to the bed and sat down beside Ian. "I've arranged forthe vicar to come to the castle in three days' time and marry us, so you mustrest and get your strength back from the journey."
"We're not going tomarry."
"Of course we are. Notthat I didn't expect this foolishness from you." She gently pushed thehair back from his forehead. "I've watched you trying to save Ruel fromhimself since the moment he was born, and now you think I need rescuing."
"I won't be anotherburden to you. Your father—"
"Is fading fast and willsoon no longer enter into the situation."
His gaze flew to her face."You didn't write me."
"Why should I? Would ithave helped him?"
"I would have come backto you."
Her expression softened."Aye, I know."
"I share yoursorrow."
She grimaced. "I wish Icould feel sorrow, but we both know my father is not a loving man. At timesI've thought perhaps God grew weary of his pretense at illness and gave himthis true reason for lingering in bed." She smiled with an effort."Which will probably cause him to send a bolt of lightning to strike medown."
"Never," Ian saidsoftly. "No one could have been kinder and more dutiful than you,Margaret."
"He's my father."She shrugged. "And we both know duty and honor make the only differencebetween civilization and savagery." She changed the subject. "Andspeaking of savagery, how is Ruel?"
"The same." Ianpaused. "And different."
"Well, that's clear.However, he appears to be displaying a newfound sense of responsibility. Ireceived a draft for two thousand pounds from him yesterday with word he wouldsend more as it became available."
"What!" Heimmediately shook his head. "That left him only a thousand for his ownuse. Send it back to him."
"I'll do no such thing.Glenclaren needs it. You need it," Margaret said. "It will be goodfor Ruel to think of someone else for a change."
"He saved my life at riskof his own."
"Oh, Ruel's very good atthose kinds of gestures. It's selfdiscipline he's lacking."
Ian laughed. "Lord, I'vemissed you, Margaret." His smile vanished. "But I will not let youwed a cripple. You've wasted enough of your life already."
"Who is to know if youwill remain a cripple?" She went on quickly as he opened his lips toprotest. "Besides, a strong body is all very well, but a strong heart andmind are more important."
"I cannot give youchildren. You love children, Margaret."
"Children may still bepossible. I will talk to the physician."
He shook his head.
"And many couples arechildless. God may have not seen fit to give us a child even if you were haleand hearty."
