"Ruel said he'd tear outmy tongue if I didn't keep our talk on a strictly business basis." He shrugged."He should have known better. I'm not a man who hides what hethinks."
"I've noticed," shesaid, her mind on what he had said. Why had Ruel tried to protect her when hehad not clone so before?
"Time for you to go,Medford." Ruel stood in the doorway. "She has to rest now."
"I was justleaving," He nodded to Jane as he moved hastily toward the door. "Ihope you recover quickly, Miss Barnaby."
"Good day, Mr.Medford."
"He stayed toolong." Ruel scowled as he closed the door behind the engineer. "I toldhim one hour. Did he tire you?"
"No," she saidslowly. "But I'm confused."
"Fever?" He sworebeneath, his breath as he moved across the room. "That damn doctor said itshouldn't come back right away." He touched her forehead. "You don'tfeel hot."
"I don't have afever." She turned her head to avoid his touch. "And I don't have tobe ill to be bewildered about how you're treating me. Why are you being so kindto me?"
"No wonder you'reconfused. You haven't received an overabundance of the commodity from me, haveyou?" He smiled mockingly. "Pure self-interest. I need you well tobuild my railroad."
"I…don't think so."
He dropped down into the LouisXV chair in front of the window. "What other reason could there be?"
She wished she could see hisface. He sat there, his legs indolently stretched before him, the sunlightforming an areola about his hair, his face in shadow. "I'm not sure, but Ithink it's because I became ill."
"Are you saying I pityyou?"
"No." She wassilent, trying to fit the pieces together. "I believe it's because youtook care of me. Kartauk says some people are natural caretakers and the morethey guard and protect, the stronger the obligation to keep on doing it."
"Oh, yes, he told me youwere one of the caretakers of the world. I assure you I'm not so giving bynature."]
"You gave to Ian."
"Ian is theexception."
"Is he?"
"I believe I've provedthat during the last few days." He got to his feet. "I'm growingbored with all this searching of souls. Do you play poker?"
She nodded. "But I'm notas good as Li Sung."
"I didn't think you wouldbe. Bluffing wouldn't come easily to you." He opened the drawer of thetable next to him. "While I'm truly superb in the art."
"Then why should I playwith you?"
"To pass the time."He sat down at the table and started to shuffle the deck. "And to give mea victory. I'm feeling in dire need of one."
"Then what satisfactionwould I receive?"
He smiled. "I'm a runningpatterer, remember? I might be persuaded to give you the benefit of my skill tocompensate. Sit down and I'll tell you how I found my first gold mine."
"Is it an interestingstory?"
"At the time it washarrowing rather than interesting. I was nineteen and still had a few lessonsto learn." He began to deal the cards. "But I'll make it entertainingtor you."
She was sure he would do that.He would amuse and intrigue, cloaking the grimness of the tale in glitteringeloquence, but perhaps she might catch glimpses of that younger, morevulnerable Ruel.
"Well?" Ruel pickedup his cards.
