"I have no idea why youwould be so devious," she said tartly. "I've heard men of the Eastdelight in such convoluted maneuvering. No doubt it's an affliction of yourheathen blood."
"No doubt," he saidblandly. "But I'm sure a Godfearing Scottish lady such as yourself willhave no trouble seeing through my heathen trickery."
Before she could answer, hestrode ahead of her down the hall and started down the stairs.
** *
It was after nine o'clock inthe evening when Jane and Li Sung finally finished cleaning the scullery andclimbed the stone stairs to the front hall.
"Sweet heaven, I'mtired." She arched her back to rid it of stiffness. "And my kneesfeel as if they're black and blue from scrubbing that blasted floor."
"Go to bed. You will feelbetter in the morning." Li Sung opened the front door.
"Where are yougoing?"
"To the stable. Kartaukhas found a place for his workshop and quarters. I will live with him."
"But you have a chamberhere."
"I'm used toKartauk."
"But will you becomfortable there?"
"More comfortable thanhere. The temple had far more potential for comfort than this castle."
"Then we must make themost of what we have. We've done it before."
"Yes." Li Sungpaused. "But this is different."
She knew what he meant.Glenclaren seemed foreign to both of them. Neither she nor Li Sung belonged incastles and were far more accustomed to building than maintaining andrepairing. "We'll get used to it."
"Because you must helpIan? I would judge Margaret MacDonald is all he needs." He smiled faintly."More than he needs."
"She cannot doeverything. While she helps him regain his strength, I'll do all I can to helphis Glenclaren." She added, "But you don't have to stay here ifyou're not happy."
"What would I do? Searchout Patrick in that lodging house in Edinburgh and share his bottle?" heasked bitterly. "I admit there have been times when I've been tempted tochoose that escape."
Her eyes widened. "Youhave?"
"Why do you think Irarely permit myself to drink liquor? It's not easy being a cripple, to limpinstead of run."
She reached out and gentlytouched his arm. "I know, Li Sung."
"No, you do notknow." His gaze went to the stairs. "But now Ian knows." Hestarted down the steps. "I will stay here, where there is notemptation."
Jane followed him to the doorand watched him limp across the courtyard toward the stable. Did anyone everreally know another person? She had thought she knew Patrick, and he had donethat unspeakable thing. She had thought she knew Li Sung, but she was againbeing proved wrong.
Blue eyes searing, blazing,in a face as beautiful as a fallen angel's.
What had caused the thought ofRuel to pop out of nowhere? She could claim to know him even less than others.Margaret's revelations this afternoon had shocked and disturbed her. Shesupposed she shouldn't have been so surprised. No one was less predictable andmore enigmatic than Ruel.
Yet in those weeks after thewreck she had seen in him a resolution and a will that would never waver.
No, she must not think ofRuel. She had probably only thought she loved him. No, she would not lie toherself. She had loved Ruel, but surely time and distance would make that lovefade and wither. She would make sure she kept herself busy enough to block outall thought of him.
In the distance she could seegently rolling hills, the heather a pale blur in the darkness. How differentthis land was from Kasanpore, as different as the life she must now lead here.
But she must no longer thinkof that other life. While she could help Ian, her place was here.
