"Then I believe we havenothing more to discuss." He nodded politely. "I'll see you onCinnidar."
She watched him walk away,bold, tough, and dauntingly confident.
But she would not be dauntedby him, blast it.
She would give him hisrailroad and grab this chance for an independent life for herself and Li Sung.She would work harder than she ever had in her life and not give herself achance to think of anything else.
The mandarin would not winthis time.
Chapter12
It is truly a palace," LiSung murmured, his gaze on the massive structure on the hill. "But it isnot what I'd expect of Ruel."
Jane's grasp involuntarilytightened on Bedelia's reins as she looked at the magnificent palace. Two rowsof cypress trees bordered the sides of the road leading up to a courtyard whosecenter point was a large marble fountain. The central section of the palace wasdomed, with wings sprawling with faultless symmetry on either side. The longveranda, extending the entire length of the palace, was interspersed with eightarched columns and sported white marble fretted balustrades that shimmered likediamond lace in the late afternoon sunlight. Everything about the structurespoke of exotic beauty... and power. Ruel's power. At that moment she did notneed such a potent reminder that this was Ruel's kingdom. "Why not? Healways said he wanted a palace."
"Words are not actions.Men like him are not truly comfortable surrounded by luxury any more than weare."
"Well, at least Ian willbe comfortable." Jane glanced over her shoulder at the large carriagecontaining Margaret, Kartauk, and Ian lumbering up the hill a few hundred yardsbehind them. "He stood the trip very well, didn't he? Much better than thetrip to Scotland."
"He's stronger now."Li Sung's tone was abstracted as he narrowed his eyes against the glare of thesun setting beyond the palace. "I think I see Ruel on the veranda. Let ushurry."
The man on the veranda wasonly a blur of white from this distance but she, too, knew it was Ruel. Janetensed and then forced herself to relax. She had been dreading this momentsince they left Scotland and must not reveal any hint of nervousness when sheagain confronted him. "You go on. I'll stay with the carriage."
Li Sung gave her a shrewdglance. "You cannot avoid him for the next seven months."
"But I don't need to rushto meet him. I'm surprised you're so eager. You certainly didn't display anyvast amount of enthusiasm when I told you I'd signed the contract."
"Because you were afraid.I've never seen you afraid before."
"I'm not afraid. It's asplendid opportunity that could mean a great deal to us. Naturally, I wisheverything to go well."
"And why should you fearit will not?"
"I don't fear—you readthe contract and Medford's report. We candothis, Li Sung."
"And the compensation isextraordinarily generous," he said thoughtfully. "Too generous."
"That penalty clauseisn't all that generous, but Ruel will comply with the terms of thecontract."
"Yes, he will keep hispromise. I admit I feel better about the arrangement since we've arrived.Perhaps this Cinnidar is the paradise Ruel believes it."
"He never said it wasparadise." She made a face. "And the problems Medford stressed in hisreport certainly don't indicate any celestial Eden. Jungle, steep mountaingrades, marshlands, tigers, elephants."
"We can do this,Jane." Li Sung smiled faintly as he repeated her own words.
"Hoist with my ownpetard." She felt a sudden lightness of spirit. "Of course we can.Why do you feel better about it now?"
"I do not know. It is afeeling without a reason. I saw the island and it—" He hesitated.
"Called to you?"
"Do not put suchnonsensical words in my mouth. Islands do not have voices with which tocall."
"Ruel says this onecalled him."
"He spent years searchingfor gold. No doubt he saw the mountain and his miner's instinct prompted him tobelieve this foolishness."
"No doubt." Shesmothered a smile. Li Sung was, as usual, scoffing at the mystical even whileobviously feeling its magnetism. "And to what instinct did yourespond?"
