The clouds hovered gray andheavy over the mountain. Just the sight of them made Jane feel as if they werepressing down, smothering her in a sluggish languor. No, it wasn't the weather.The day had only just turned threatening and yet she had been experiencing thisheaviness since she had opened her eyes that morning.
"I'd like to ride overand see James Medford later this afternoon," she said over her shoulder toRuel. "I need to talk to him about the schedule for joining therails."
"Restless already?"Ruel's lips tightened. "It's been only two days. I'll have to apply myselfto keep you more interested."
He was angry. Jane had beenaware of Ruel's growing edginess for the entire day. He had been prowlingaround the summerhouse like a caged lion for the past few hours. "You'rerestless yourself. Neither of us is accustomed to being cooped up with no workto do."
"This is your work forthe time being."
She whirled away from thewindow, holding tight to the sheet she had draped around herself. "Goodheavens, we cannot fornicate every hour of the day. It's only making youbad-tempered."
"I'mnotbad-tempered!”
"You most certainlyare."
He scowled. "Then it'syour job to distract and soothe me."
"You shouldn't needsoothing. I told you that you'd be disappointed."
"I'mnotdisappointed.I've done exactly what I said I'd do." His smile was a mere baring ofteeth. "And enjoyed every minute of it."
"No, you haven't."She frowned, trying to put together the pieces of his behavior. "For somereason... oh, I think you've enjoyed my body but not the other."
"What other?"
"You didn't like hurtingme."
He stiffened. "I've notnoticed any bruises."
She did have a few bruises onher body but not by his intent. It would have been impossible not to have gonethrough the orgy of sexual indulgences of the past forty-eight hours withoutshowing any signs. "You know the kind of wounds you inflicted. It gave youno satisfaction."
"I regret you're readingme wrong. I'm very satisfied with every aspect of our time together and, ifyou'd admit to it, I believe you received an equal satisfaction."
"Because you gave mepleasure?" She shook her head. "Every time you gave me that pleasureit hurt me. It stripped my pride and made me feel less than myself, just as youintended it to do."
"I'm surprised you'retelling me this."
"I wouldn't have admittedit when I came here." She shrugged. "It's different now. I don't mindgiving you small victories. You need them more than I do. It must be terribleto live with such a passion for revenge."
"How condescending ofyou." His lips thinned. "You might consider how you would feel if itwere Li Sung instead of Ian who was going through torment before blaming me forwanting to settle accounts."
She shook her head wearily."I don't know how I would feel. It's too horrible to imagine." Shemet his gaze. "And I've never blamed you. I don't blame you now. I'm justglad it's over."
A multitude of expressionscrossed his face, but she could single out only shock, frustration, anger, anddesire. "Oh, it's not over yet." He smiled recklessly. "And Ibelieve you'd best prepare to give me another victory." His gaze wanderedover her. "If you must cover yourself, it won't be with that sheet. Ibelieve it's time for you to don more appropriate apparel. Put on thecloth-of-gold gown in the armoire."
At first she didn'tunderstand, but her eyes widened as she recalled his words that first night shehad arrived on Cinnidar. "You actually had it made?"
"Of course. I always keepmy promises. Put it on."
"Don't you think thispromise could be—" She broke off as she saw his face. His eyes were shimmeringrecklessly and she could sense the core of violence and frustration just belowthe surface ready to explode. She shrugged. "If you insist. It's not wortharguing about." She walked toward the armoire across the room.
A few moments later the threemirrors on the wall reflected her image gowned in a loose garment that wasstill blatantly sexual. It draped only one shoulder in the Greek fashion andthen dipped across her body to bare one breast. The skirt was slit to the waistto show her limbs with every movement. She could feel the color sting hercheeks as she looked at herself. She felt more naked in this gown than she hadtotally nude.
"Lovely." Ruel'sarms slid around her from behind, one hand cupping her breast. "Just as Iimagined you."
She met his gaze in themirror. "As a whore?"
"What else?" heasked mockingly, his thumb and forefinger pulling at her nipple.
