"Once you meet the lady Ibelieve you'll realize she's not one to take advantage of you." Hemotioned a servant to refill Medford's glass. "How is your workgoing?"
"Well enough."Medford was not to be distracted. "Good God, wasn't that mess she made ofthe line in Kasanpore enough for you?"
Ruel stiffened. "You knowabout that?"
"Pickering told me."
"You didn't mention it tome."
"Because I couldn'tbelieve you wouldn't change your mind and give me the go-ahead to finish theentire line."
"You're gettinggreedy." He lifted his whiskey to his lips. "Not that I shouldcomplain when I've been accused recently of that fault myself."
"Really? Who was so boldas to dare risk offending the great white rajah of Cinnidar?"
"Jane Barnaby."
"Interesting. At least,I'm now assured she didn't use flattery to cajole you into hiring her."
"She doesn't know themeaning of cajolery."
"Which leaves me with thesame puzzle with which I started. Why the devil did you hire her to—" Hestopped in midsentence, his gaze on the doorway. "Is that our MissBarnaby?"
Ruel followed his glance andcaught a glimpse of braided red hair shining under the blazing chandeliers."Yes, that's-—" He stiffened in shock as his gaze wandered over Jane.
She wore a simple white gownof some filmy material that bared her arms and shoulders and emphasized thetininess of her waist and the fullness of her breasts. For the first time sincehe had met her, she looked totally, desirably woman.
"Never mind,"Medford murmured.
Ruel jerked his gaze from Janeto see Medford watching him. "What?"
"You don't have to tellme why you gave her the job," Medford said, his glance falling to Ruel'slower body. "It couldn't be more obvious."
Dammit, he had only had tolook at the woman to ready like a stallion eager to mount a mare. He saidcurtly, "I'll bring her over and introduce you."
"Don't hurry, I'm notpanting to meet your little… "
Ruel didn't hear the rest ofthe sentence as he moved across the wide salon, his gaze never leaving Jane.Her skin glowed with a soft flush and she was looking warily at him. She shouldbe wary. He wanted to touch that skin, brush his fingertips over her baredshoulders, reach into the gown and cup her breasts. Why not? he thoughtrecklessly. Medford had mockingly referred to him as the rajah of Cinnidar, butthat power was very real. He could have her brought to his chamber and doanything he wished to her. He could undo that tight braid and run his fingersthrough her hair. He could strip off her gown and part her thighs and move—
He stopped before her."Good evening. I didn't expect such elegance. You look... exceptional."
"And that makes youangry?"
"I'm not—" But hewas angry, he realized suddenly, angry and frustrated because he wasn't goingto take her tonight. Force would not rid him of this damn obsession for her.She had to come to him beaten and defeated. He tried to smile. "I've neverseen you in a gown before. You took me off guard."
"Margaret gave it tome." She glanced around the room. "Where is she?"
"She sent a messagesaying Ian was too tired to come to dinner and they would dine in theirsuite." His stare went to her bared shoulders. "As always, Maggie'staste is impeccable. How did she convince you to accept such a garment?"
She shrugged. "She alwaysinsisted we dress for dinner at the castle and said it was only fair shefurnish Li Sung, Kartauk, and me with the appropriate clothing."
When she had lifted hershoulders, the bodice had slipped a trifle, revealing more of the silky fleshof her upper breasts. He felt an aching stirring in his groin. "I'm surprisedyou obeyed her dictum to wear it."
"Margaret says a gowndoesn't make a woman any more than trousers do a man. They're both justtrappings that indicate difference, not superiority."
"How compliant you'vebecome. You've changed a great deal since you left Kasanpore."
"It's not compliant torecognize good sense. Of course I've changed. Only fools fail to learn from theyears." She added impatiently, "Why all this bother about agown?"
