She rose to her feet, pickedup the lantern, and moved toward the arched door. "Then His Highnessshould be pleased with us both. Did I not send for you the moment the girlcrossed my threshold? How did you know he would follow and ask for a whitewoman?"
"We could not be sure,but we knew he was watching her." He smiled. "And the Scot is not apatient man. It was only a matter of time until he made his move."
"So, I set the trap andyou sprang it."
"You set the trap, butthe Scot did not respond as you thought he would. You said he wouldn't trustthe word of the girl and would try the door leading to the hall, find youhadn't really locked it, and take the girl to the alley that way. Yet no onewas seen going out this alley door. How did they get out?"
"How do I know? The Scotis not predictable." She experienced a moment of regret as she rememberedhow delightfully unpredictable he had proved in their bouts together. Then shedismissed the emotion and asked, "What difference does it make as long asthe end was accomplished?"
"No difference. You'll beadequately rewarded for your services. The bitch made no mention ofKartauk?"
"I told you she had not.She was concerned only about her friend Li Sung." She had learned it wasalways better to tell a little bit of the truth when you told a lie and she haddecided it would not be wise to reveal all she knew to Abdar. "She'safraid he comes here too often and will anger Reilly by neglecting his dutiesin Narinth."
His lips curled. "How canyou bear to bed that mongrel Chinese dog?"
Mongrel. Pachtal regarded allbut his own caste as unclean. She had to smother the sting of rage his wordsbrought. "I must earn food for my table, and all men do not bring me asmuch pleasure as you and His Highness. I hope you found me skillful?"
"Adequate. His Highnesstold me he found you very pleasant to look upon."
"He did?"
He smiled. "He also saidwhen we found Kartauk perhaps he would have a golden mask made of yourface."
"I am honored."
"But you would be morehonored if he made you one of his concubines at the palace," he saidsoftly. "His women have fabulous jewels and rich golden trinkets thatwould make your eyes shimmer with delight."
She felt a leap of hope."Has he spoken of this?"
"No, but I have greatinfluence on His Highness. I could remind him how talented you were the onetime we both enjoyed you."
"And would you be sogenerous as to do this for me?"
"It's apossibility." He paused. "If you please me."
It was the answer she hadexpected. "I will please you." She smiled at him. "Come along tomy chamber and I will show you what we experienced before was only thebeginning."
He shook his head. "No,here."
Her eyes widened as she lookedaround the alley and then to the dead man a few yards away. "You jest.There is stink here and your servant… "
"It excites me," hemurmured. "Turn around and lean your hands against the wall."
"We would both be morecomfortable in my bed. I have cool silken sheets that feel wonderful againstyour skin."
"I don't wantcomfort." He took the lantern from her hand and carefully positioned it onthe ground beside the dead man's head. "I want to take you while he liesthere staring at us. I want to show him how good it is to be alive." Hisnostrils flared, his eyes glittered wildly. "But perhaps you do not wishto please me, whore?"
She swallowed and then turnedaround and leaned her palms against the rough sod wall. It did not matter, shetold herself. She had performed many acts almost as twisted as this with lessto gain.
Her skirt was pushed up andthe next moment she felt him plunge deep within her. He grunted, his breathingquick, heavy, excited as he began to rut with brutal animal ferocity.
Itdidmatter. He wastaking her as if she were of no more value than a bitch in heat. The smell ofgarbage and refuse churned her stomach, and she was horribly conscious of thedead man staring at them only a few feet away.
But she was no mongrel and,when she had the riches and power Abdar would heap on her, she would show themall.
Jane stopped in surprise asshe and Ruel were walking out of the hotel the next morning?
Her mare, Bedelia, was tied tothe hitching rail beside a chestnut stallion.
