"More than you broughther. She came running to me wailing you had stolen her virginity."
His smile faded. "Nottrue. A man has his needs, but I have no traffic with women who lack experiencein the joust. Jock assured me she was—"
"Jock? Now you have Ian'sservants procuring your harlots?"
"A man has hisneeds," Kartauk repeated. He sat down on the stool before the worktable."Is Ellen MacTavish to be the subject of your harping?"
"And Deidre CameronandMartha Belmar."
"Good God, Scottish womenare garrulous. They all came to you?"
"I'm the laird's wife.It's the custom for the women of the glen to come to the castle if there'strouble."
"I brought them pleasure,not trouble, and I made no promise of marriage to any woman. Did they say Ihad?"
"No." Margaretfrowned in distaste. "They were mewing like cats in heat because you hadnot come back to them."
Kartauk's laughter boomed out."It would not have been fair." He tapped his massive chest with hisfist. "To be struck once by the divine lightning is a blessing, more thanthat would have made them forever dissatisfied with other men."
She closed her eyes."Sweet Mary, what an arrogant coxcomb you are. I do not know how I can bearto be in the same room with you."
"Because you needme."
"Need?" Her lidsflew open. "I don't need anyone. Certainly not an impudent braggart whobelieves all women are useless if not in bed or posing for one of your infernalstatues."
"Not totally useless. Itolerate you who refuse to pose for me and give me neither pleasure nor—"
"Tolerateme." She stood up, glaring at him."It's / who tolerateyou.You occupy this stable, which we now needfor horses and livestock, and give neither aid nor—"
"You're right."
"What?"
He smiled gently. "I'm aselfish scoundrel who causes you nothing but grief."
"You certainly are."She gazed at him suspiciously. "Why are you being so agreeable?"
"Perhaps I am lonely anddo not wish you to leave. Sit down and finish your coffee."
"You, lonely?" Sheslowly sat back down on the stool. "You're never lonely."
"How do you know?"He went to the stove and poured himself a cup of coffee. "A man's needsare sometimes not only of the body. Li Sung is not the only one who does notchoose to reveal his weaknesses. There are times when we all do things to bringabout a desired result without baring our souls." He resumed his seat atthe worktable. "Perhaps I struck those women with my lightning because Iknew it would bring you to me.
"Nonsense."
He threw back his head andlaughed. "You know me too well. You're right, why should a man of mygreatness fear to ask for what I want."
"You certainly did notfear to ask what you wanted of Ellen MacTavish," she said tartly.
He shrugged. "Some needsare simpler than others to satisfy. However, I ask myself why you did not feelit necessary to reprove me for my philandering until today when Ellen came toyou yesterday morning."
"I was busyyesterday." She looked away from him. "I had no time fortrivialities. You surely do not think I made an excuse to see you?"
"Heaven forbid I would soflatter myself." He sipped his coffee. "But I did notice you appear abit strained today."
"Ellen MacTavish—"
"Would not have causedyou to blink an eye. I'm sure you scolded her for her lack of virtue and senther about her business. What's really wrong?" He met her gaze."Ian?"
