Ruel's brows rose. "HaveI done something to offend you?"
"You sat there allthrough dinner and watched him, taking him apart with—" She stopped anddrew a deep breath. "You watched both of us. I didn't like it."
"I like watchingyou." He smiled slightly. "I thought I knew everything about you, butI'm finding out new things all the time."
"You don't know me at alland you have no business judging Patrick when you know nothing about him."
"You wound me." Hisblue eyes gleamed in the lamplight. "And I thought I was being bothcharming and informative. I'm sure Reilly thought so. Providing he could thinkat all through that haze of spirits surrounding him. Is he always drunk by thetime you come home from laboring on his behalf?"
"It's the heat."
"Indeed?" He rose tohis feet and placed his napkin on the table. "Since I seem to haveoverstayed my welcome, I will take my leave." He bowed slightly."Thank you for dinner. I trust the presence of this Sula assures 1 youdon't have to act as a kitchen skivvy as well as day laborer?"
Her hands clenched into fistsbeneath the table. "Good night."
Abruptly the mockery vanishedfrom his expression. "For God's sake, go to bed," he said roughly."You're dead tired and he won't miss you. I'll see you tomorrow on thesite."
"You're comingback?"
"Oh, yes, I found it amost interesting experience." He moved toward the door. "It's alwaysintriguing learning new things. That's why I had such an enjoyabledinner."
"And what new things didyou learn here tonight?" she asked warily.
He slanted her a glance overhis shoulder. "That you're incredibly loyal and genuinely willing to workyourself to exhaustion for that likable sot."
"He's not a sot. I toldyou—"
"It's the heat," hefinished. "I've met any number of men out here who blame theirself-indulgence on the weather. The heat makes them thirsty, the monsoons makethem depressed, and the sandstorms give them headaches. But I'm not reallyinterested in Patrick Reilly now that I've found out what I want to know abouthim."
"And what," sheasked scathingly, "would that be?" He met her gaze. "Thatwhatever lies between you, the rumors are wrong. He doesn't share yourbed."
"Well?" Ian asked asRuel walked into his hotel room an hour later. "Was your dayproductive?"
"Productive enough."Ruel stripped off his coat and shirt and strode across the room toward thewashstand. "I met Patrick Reilly."
"And?"
"He's not involved withKartauk. I'd judge he isn't involved with anything but his bottle."
"Poor lass."
"She wouldn't appreciateyour sympathy." He poured water into the bowl and began splashing hisface. "And anyone who can take on Abdar is too strong to deserve it."
"I still feel sorry forher. She reminds me a little of Margaret."
"Our pure and properMaggie would not be pleased at the comparison with a woman who frequentsbrothels and struts around wearing men's clothes." He grabbed a towel anddried his face. "Believe me, they're nothing alike."
"You never really knewMargaret." Ian smiled. "And I don't believe you know thatchild."
"I'll know hersoon." He cast him a glance over his shoulder. "And Kartauk." Hebegan unbuckling his belt. "This Li Sung she mentioned is supposedly inNarinth. Why don't you take a ride tomorrow and see if he's really there?"
"You think he hassomething to do with Kartauk?"
"Maybe. I know she liedabout where he is." He threw his belt on the chair and began unbuttoninghis trousers. "She doesn't lie well."
"Which means she's anhonest lass."
"Suppose you get out ofhere so I can get some sleep?"
