"Well, then I think wereally should go to Johannesburg." Her eyes twinkled. "After all,your mine might play out in a hundred years or so, and then ourgreatgrandchildren would be left destitute."
"There's always thatpossibility." He threw back his head and laughed joyously before pickingher up and swinging her in a circle. "You really wouldn't mind going?You're not just telling me that?"
She shook her head. "I'dlike to get off the train there and look around and see the sights. Cinnidarwill be the last stop on the line, but I'm not ready for it yet."
He hugged her close. "Ipromise it will be for only a short while."
Their stay in Johannesburgmight be for only a little while, but there would probably be other places,other times when Ruel grew restless and would want a change. Who knows? Shemight be the one to grow restless. They would have to learn to accommodate eachother's needs in the years ahead. That was what love meant, and God knows shedid love Ruel MacClaren with her whole heart. "We'll have to see."
"Now that we have ournext move planned… " His hand tenderly stroked her hair back from her faceas he whispered, "What didn't you really want Li Sung to tell me?"
Ruel was being as tenacious asalways. She should have known he wouldn't be distracted, she thoughtresignedly. "Nothing important."
"A secret? Secrets arealways tantalizing." He kissed her lightly on the mouth. "I'll findout sooner or later, you know."
He probably would find out thetruth, but perhaps it would be at a time when the pain was not so fresh. In themeantime she would make sure they both had something to think about besides thepast. She changed the subject. "I'll want to be back on Cinnidar by thistime next year."
He frowned. "We'lltry."
"No, it's important. Wehave to be here."
"What's so urgent? We canput Li Sung and Dilam in charge of the railway and the mine."
She shook her head."While we're in Johannesburg I believe we should put our efforts to workon another project."
"What project?"
"One to which every rulerof a kingdom should give serious attention."
"What the hell are youtalking about?"
"A child." Shenestled closer and whispered, "I want to have a child, Ruel. I want ourchild to be born here on Cinnidar next year."
Margaret boarded theGoldenHaretwo days later to set out for Scotland.
"We'll come back toGlenclaren for a visit next year," Jane said. "But if there'sanything we can do to help, you must write us immediately."
"I'm not so helpless thatI cannot tend to matters myself," Margaret said impatiently. "ThoughI'll admit I'll be glad of your company." She gave Jane a brusque hugbefore turning to Ruel. "Treat her well or you'll answer to me."
"I tremble in terror atthe thought." Ruel brushed her cheek with his lips. "Good journey,Maggie."
"Marg—" She brokeoff. It was a small impudence and not worth bothering about. Ruel would neverreform, but he was coming along much better than she had dreamed possible."Of course I will have a good journey."
"She will not have it anyother way. No storm would dare to touch her."
Kartauk. She tensed as sheturned to see him striding up the gangplank. She had seen him only in passingsince that night at the encampment, and she had told herself she hoped he wouldnot come to bid her goodbye. Yet now joy was mixed with the sadness surgingthrough her.
He stopped before her."Even the supreme deity must bow before Margaret's will."
"Heathen blasphemy,"Margaret said. "Just what I would expect of you."
Jane glanced from one to theother and then gave Margaret a final quick embrace. "Good-bye,Margaret." She took Ruel's arm and tugged peremptorily. "Come on,Ruel."
He smiled with amusement andmockingly inclined his head. "As you command. I live only to make youhappy."
Margaret snorted as shewatched them walk down the gangplank. "Not likely."
"I disagree,"Kartauk said. "There is a certain amount of truth in his words. I'msurprised you cannot see it yourself." He turned to look at her. "Butthen, your judgment is clouded at present."
