"You may have troublemaking use of Kartauk," she said dryly. "He does not have a pliantnature."
"You've found thatout?"
"Kartauk has proved...helpful." She glanced away from him. "He amuses Ian."
"And does he amuse youtoo, Maggie?"
Her gaze flew back to him tofind his gaze narrowed intently on her. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Heshrugged. "I've been away a long time, and I'd forgotten how imbued withvirtue you are."
"Virtue?" Her eyeswidened in shock. "You thought I—"
"It slipped out," hesaid impatiently. "Forget it."
"I willnotforgetit." Anger poured through her. "Ilovemy husband, Ruel. Howdare you say—"
"I apologize, dammit.I'll watch my tongue next time."
"You'd do better to watchyour foul thoughts." She whirled on her heel and strode toward the door."And my name is Margaret. I allowed you a certain amount of indulgencewhen you were a boy, but if you ever call me Maggie again, I shall find a wayto punish your impudence."
"Yes, Margaret," hesaid.
The hint of amusement shedetected beneath the meekness in his tone grated abrasively. "I've changedmy mind. You've not changed a whit. You're as wild and insufferable asever."
His amusement instantlyvanished. "I need your help to get Ian to Cinnidar. Don't let your angerat me hurt him."
"Do you think I'd dothat?" She drew a deep breath and tried to control her temper. "I'llspeak to Ian tonight and try to prepare the way for you."
"That's all I ask."
"I doubt if it will doany good." She opened the door. "You'd best be prepared to give upyour plan and take Ian to Spain."
"If I don't get back toCinnidar soon, there may not be a Cinnidar…or a Glenclaren." He paused and smiled. "Curious. Iwonder why you're so angry with me."
She slammed the door of thestudy and marched across the foyer toward the staircase.
Ruel had been at Glenclarenonly a matter of hours and he was already throwing her into a turmoil with hiswicked tongue and wickeder thoughts. Mother of heaven, she had wanted to slapthat comely face and—
Why? Ruel was right, she didnot easily lose her temper.
It was perfectly reasonablefor her to be angry. He had given her insult.
But he had apologizedimmediately and she had never let Ruel's impudence disturb her before.
She would dismiss the rascalfrom her mind, she decided firmly. She had better things to do with her energythan let Ruel upset her like this. She must prepare Ian for Ruel's visittomorrow.
He had known there was nothingfor him here.
Ruel sat his horse on thecrest of the hill, his gaze fastened on the thatched cottage a few yards away.
The cottage had been desertedsince he had left Glenclaren and was probably overrun with rats andcockroaches. He had known when he left the castle tonight he would not be ableto sleep here. He certainly felt no sentiment for the place. He had spent morenights curled up in his blanket in the hills than in this hut. After the lairdhad lost interest in his mother and rejected her claim that Ruel was his son,she had made it clear Ruel was not welcome when she entertained the men of theglen.
Perhaps he had come here toreinforce how fortunate he was to have escaped this place that had brought himonly humiliation and tears. Tears? God in heaven, he had shed no tears since hewas a boy of seven. He must be becoming maudlin to be recalling that foolishlad.
Why the devil had he even comehere?
Jane.
