"Nonsense." Shequickly clasped her hands together in her lap. "What sort of frieze? Areyou going to—"
"You did not come here todiscuss my 'dabbles,'" Kartauk interrupted. "Has Ian had asetback?"
"No, he is thesame." She looked down at her hands. "But he is—" She stoppedand then started again. "I'm going to have a child."
He went still. "You toldme the physician said that was not possible for Ian."
"He did." She couldfeel the heat in her cheeks and knew those annoyingly keen eyes would noticeher discomposure as he noticed everything about her. "But it must happen.You must make it happen."
He swore beneath his breathand then said caustically, "And how am I to do that? It is one thing toinstruct you on the art of arousing and satisfying a man, but I have no magicincantation I can mumble to make Ian able to impregnate you. Am I supposedto—"
"Be silent," shesnapped. "There's no reason for you to be testy. If you will listen,instead of ranting at me, I will tell you what I need of you."
He sat down on his stool andlooked at her. "By all means, proceed."
"Ian is…I cannot… " She drew a deep breath."If I do not give Ian a reason to live, he will die. Heneedsachild."
Kartauk made no comment,waiting.
"Since God has not seenfit to grant us this boon, I've decided to take matters into my ownhands." She looked straight ahead and asked quickly, "Will you matewith me, Kartauk?"
He went still. "What?"
She rushed on. "Onlyuntil the babe is conceived. After that, I will not trouble you further."
Silence. Why did he not speak?Though she was not looking at him, she could feel waves of emotion sweepingfrom him.
He said slowly, each wordenunciated precisely, "You are saying I'm to father an infant which youwill then pass off as your husband's?"
She nodded jerkily.
"And may I ask why youhave chosen me to act as stud to your mare?"
"Don't be crude."She moistened her lips. "You seem to be the reasonable choice. I believeyou have a fondness for Ian. You're strong in body and mind and capable offathering a fine bairn."
"Anything else?"
"It should be no hardshipfor you. You can't deny you have a lustful nature. Ellen MacTavish and thoseother women were—"
"Look at me."
"If it wasn't necessary,I wouldn't do this. A child is nec—"
"Look at me, madam."
She reluctantly shifted hergaze to his face. Anger. She had never seen Kartauk in a rage before, but shesaw it now.
"You will not use me,madam."
"It's not such a terrible…It has to be you. I thought of Ruel,but I—"
"Ruel!"
"He, too, has a lustfulnature and he might do it to save Ian, but I could not place that burden onhim."
"What burden?"
"Adultery," shewhispered. "It's a terrible sin and one I don't expect God to forgive. Itis better I suffer his anger alone."
