"And almost died. Youforgot to add that unimportant detail." He paused. "You are foolishto protect this man, you know. He is no stray puppy."
"You know you likehim."
He thought about it. "Heis amusing, but it is dangerous to like Kartauk."
"Well, I like him."
"Because you think himwithout defense, but he is not without weapons. Get in his way and he'll passover you like a runaway locomotive."
He was probably right, but sheknew she still could not give Kartauk up to Abdar. "He did me a favor. Youknow I was desperate."
"He did himself a favor.He was hungry and you fed him." He finished the braid and then took ascrap of string from his denim trousers and secured it. "If Patrick findsout about Kartauk, he will be angry."
She tensed. "He won'tknow."
"Unless Abdar decides hewishes to involve him."
"He won't do that.Kartauk said Abdar doesn't want his father to know he's looking for him."Jane tossed back her braid. "And Patrick won't ask questions. He's toobusy building this blasted railroad."
"You mean he is too busydrinking and whoring and letting you build his railroad."
She didn't bother to deny thecharge as she would have done with anyone else. "He'll be better oncewe've left Kasanpore."
"You said that aboutYorkshire." He turned her around and began to button her blouse. "Andwith every passing day you grow thinner and more weary and Patrick grows lazierand does not see." He added softly, "Or does not care."
"Hedoescare."She jerked away from him. "He just doesn't know what to—the heat affectshim."
"It certainly gives him agreat thirst."
She could not deny that facteither, she thought wearily. These days Patrick started drinking in theafternoon and didn't stop until he staggered off to bed at midnight. But surelyhis escalating drinking was being caused by this inferno of a country. Heaven knows,the difficulties they had faced in England seemed minor compared to suffocatingheat, unskilled workers, and a maharajah whose impossible demands and pettishthreats had driven them to the brink of bankruptcy. "I don't want to talkabout it." She glanced cautiously out into the aisle before rising to herfeet. "I have to get back to the bungalow and get some sleep. We'restarting to lay the track on the bridge over Sikor Gorge tomorrow."
"And Patrick will benowhere within a mile of the site."
"He will. He promised methat—" She stopped as she met Li Sung's steady gaze and then burst out,"And if he's not, I won't care. It's no hardship. I like it."
"You like doing the workand Patrick getting the credit?"
"He needs me."
"So you give and giveuntil there is no more to give." Li Sung raised his hand as she started tospeak. "But why should I complain? I take as much as Patrick."
"Nonsense. You've alwaysworked harder than anyone on the line." She stood up and moved cautiouslyout of the shadows toward the aisle.
"What if Abdar is waitingfor you at the bungalow?"
"I'll circle and go inthe back way." She paused to smile gently at him over her shoulder."Stop worrying about me. Just keep Kartauk safe and tell him I'm trying tofind a way to slip him out of Kasanpore."
"He is notimpatient." He looked down at the chisel she had given him."Sometimes I wonder if he is even conscious of the passage of time."
She knew what he meant. Shehad also seen Kartauk in that oblivious state. "He can't stay here foreverwith Abdar searching for him. We'll have to get him away." She hesitatedas a sudden thought occurred to her. "You weren't waiting here in thebazaar because you'd just come from Zabrie?"
Li Sung gazed at herimpassively. "Why would you assume that?"
She persisted. "Didyou?"
He shrugged. "A man hasneeds."
"Abdar saw you at thesite with me. It's not safe for you to be seen in the city."
