Watch over you.
The phrase held a sweet, wistfulfascination for her. Not that she needed anyone to watch over her, she thoughtquickly. "Laying tracks isn't the kind of work you'd want to do."
"A few days of it won'thurt me."
She glanced around thetastefully furnished hotel room. "You'd be of no use to me."
"Because I don't occupy ahovel? Ask Ian where he found me in Krugerville. When you're seeking anaudience with a maharajah, you don't spare the rupees. I assure you I can makemyself useful in most circumstances and I'm not afraid of hard labor."
She recalled the hardroughness of the calluses on the hand that had stroked hers.
"Lie down," Ruelrepeated. "I'll wake you at dawn and we'll ride out to the sitetogether."
She turned and lay back downon the bed, drawing the covers over her. She was accomplishing nothing butdraining her strength by fighting him. One day of pounding spikes shouldassuage his conscience. "I'll need a clean shirt to cover this bandage. Noone must know I've been hurt."
"I believe I can supplyone."
"No." She nodded atIan. "Him. He's bigger and I want it loose."
Ian smiled. "It will bemy pleasure."
"And be sure to wake meat dawn." She closed her eyes.
"Should I send word toReilly that you're here?" Ruel asked.
"No, he won't miss me.I'm usually gone by the time he wakes up in the morning."
"How charming," Ruelsaid caustically. "I must remember to—"
"Go away," she saidwithout opening her eyes "You're keeping me awake."
She heard Ian's delightedchuckle. "Are you properly put in your place, Ruel? Let's retire to my roomand have a glass of whiskey. I've had enough of this soggy air for one night.I'll be glad to get home to Glenclaren."
"So you tell me everyday."
"I decided it would do noharm to remind you. I've always believed in fortifying my position."
Her eyes remained shut afterthe door closed behind them. What a strange contrast the two men made, Ruel asvolatile and glittering as quicksilver, and his brother sturdy and homely asraw granite. Yet, in spite of their differences, she could sense a strong bondbetween them.
She must stop thinking of Ruelor his brother. Scottish lords and beautiful exotic young men had nothing to dowith what was important in her life. She must get to sleep and gain strength tofight off this weakness.
"I like her." Ianhanded the glass of whiskey he had just poured to Ruel. "She's a braelass."
"You like her becauseshe's just as obstinate as you are."
"I admit I enjoyed seeinga woman say no to you. I'm sure it's very good for your character." Iantook his own glass and moved to the window. "It appears the threat to thegirl Abdar spoke about is more than the maharajah's displeasure."
"Yes."
"But you always suspectedthat, didn't you?"
"I told you I wasfamiliar with crocodiles."
A few moments passed beforeIan spoke again. "You were gone a long time. Did you—" He hesitated.
"Are you trying to ask ifI had a carnal romp with our guest?"
"I suppose I am."
