"At the moment I'minvolved in investing." He laughed at her incredulous expression. "DoI look too rough to be a man of commerce? It's true I'm not comfortable withthe business world, but I learned a long time ago everything is forgivenroyalty."
"Royalty?"
"With enough money a mancan make himself a king."
"Is that what you want tobe?"
His eyes twinkled. "Well,perhaps I'd be satisfied with being crown prince as long as I had prospects.Isn't that what everyone wants? It's a hell of a lot better than being crushedunder someone else's heels,"
She shook her head. "Idon't think I'd be comfortable in a life like that. It would be…strange."
"You'd rather slave onyour railroad?"
"It's not always like this.It's been bad here, but sometimes the work is easier."
"And worthwhile?"
She nodded eagerly. "Oh,yes."
"Why?"
"I can't explain."She thought for a moment. "A train is…freedom. You step on a train and it takes you away and lets youleave all the bad things behind."
"And what if the trackleads you somewhere that's worse than what you left behind?"
"Then you get off beforeyou get to that somewhere. It gives you a choice."
"And escape." Hisgaze narrowed on her face. "What are you trying to escape from,Jane?"
"I've already escaped andI'm never going back," she said quietly.
"And your Patrick helpedyou make your escape?" She smiled. "Yes, Patrick helped me."
"Another whiskey, Mr.MacClaren?" Patrick asked.
"I don't believe so,thank you."
"I believe I'll have adollop." Patrick poured the last of the whiskey in the bottle into hisglass. "I know they're putting less in these bottles. I think that servantat the club is shortchanging me. You know you can't trust these Indians,MacClaren."
"Has that been yourexperience?" Ruel asked politely.
"Sula!" Patrickcalled. "Where is that woman? Jane, run to the kitchen and tell her weneed another bottle."
"I took the last one fromthe kitchen cabinet last night," Jane said.
Patrick scowled. "She'sprobably been selling the liquor to someone in the bazaar. It was never likethis when Li Sung was handling my whiskey. I want you to get him back herewhere he belongs, Jane."
Jane looked quickly down ather plate. "I told you I needed Li Sung in Narinth."
"This is the Li Sung youmentioned to me?" Ruel asked.
She glanced up to see his gazenarrowed on her face and anger flared through her. It wasn't enough thatPatrick was under that merciless scrutiny all evening. Now it seemed it was herturn. "Yes, Li Sung works for us."
"Good man for a chink.Not like these cheating Indians." Patrick rose to his feet and weavedtoward the door leading to the veranda. "Be right back, MacClaren. I thinkI left a full bottle on the table on the veranda."
"Pleasant fellow,"Ruel commented as Patrick disappeared from view.
Jane whirled fiercely on him."Why don't you leave?"
