"Aye, but I still—"
"This is the right thingto do for all of us. It may be the only way to save the day. I promise Ian willbe right behind you." He smiled and suddenly his face was illuminated withlove. "Go, Margaret, trust me."
He lifted her to the saddleand swatted the horse's rear, sending it into a gallop toward the canyon.
He turned immediately andclimbed the veranda steps. He wished he could have watched her leave, to seethe slender straightness of her back, the way she held her head in that proudmanner he loved so well. It did not seem much for a man to ask.
But there was no time.
Margaret and Jock were almosthalfway down the canyon trail before she had time to realize the exact portentof Kartauk's words.
"My God," shemurmured as panic swept through her.
He had promised Ian would beon her heels.
He had said nothing abouthimself.
Ian was still sitting in thechair by the window when Kartauk entered his chamber. He turned to Tamar, whostood against the far wall beside the Cinnidan bearers. "Why isn't he inhis traveling chair? I told you to get him ready."
Tamar shook his head."And he told me not to move him. It is he I must obey."
"She's gone?" Ianasked.
Kartauk nodded. "Notwithout protest. We have to send you on your way to be sure she doesn't turnback. I promised you'd be right behind her." He crossed to Ian's chair."Brace yourself. I'm going to lift you."
"Not yet." Iangrimaced as he nodded at the glass of wine on the table beside him. "AfterI finish the wine. I've just taken my laudanum and I must wait until it takeseffect. The trip down that canyon will prove excruciating. I'll only be amoment."
"We don't have manymoments."
Ian picked up his wineglass."You don't intend to go with me, do you?"
Kartauk went still. "Whydo you say that?"
"You saidsend,notbring,and such an action would be reasonable considering yourcharacter."
"Considering mycharacter, you should expect me to do just the opposite. No one has moreself-concern than me."
"Not where Margaret isinvolved." He sipped his wine. "I take it you think it's necessary tostay and delay Abdar from following us."
Kartauk nodded. "Abdarwould enjoy having Ruel's brother to toy with."
"But not you?"
He shrugged. "I've dealtwith Abdar for years. I know him."
"But there is stilldanger for you."
"Finish your wine. Youhave to leave."
Ian nodded and obediently swallowedthe rest of the wine. "I know I mustn't keep you, but since I've beensitting here I've suddenly realized something. Something that's been troublingme since that night at Lanpur Gorge."
"We haven't time forthis." Kartauk took an impatient step forward.
"God always has apurpose, but I couldn't see His hand in saving me that night. It's all comingclearer now."
"I'm going to liftyou." Kartauk bent to gather him into his arms.
"I really wouldn't dothat," Ian murmured as he nodded at Tamar over Kartauk's shoulder."You appear so concerned about me, and if I fell it would cause me greatpain."
