"I used to know," hesaid harshly. "Now I'm not so sure anymore."
A moment later he had mountedhis horse and trotted off toward town.
"Li Sung isn't inNarinth," Ian said. "He hasn't been there since he visited the townsome two months ago with Jane Barnaby."
"Then the next questionwe ask is why she lied?" Ruel murmured. "And where the gentleman isat present."
"And why you've had threewhiskeys in a row since you walked in the door," Ian added mildly.
"I was thirsty." Hesmiled recklessly. "And it's good Scotch Whiskey. You should approve.Isn't everything even remotely touching on Glenclaren worthwhile?" Hethrew himself in the chair. "Wonderful, splendid Glenclaren. Tell me, haveyou heard from Maggie lately?"
"You know I havenot."
Ruel lifted his glass to hislips. "No doubt she's still nursing her father and being the dutifuldaughter. As I remember, MacDonald made Maggie's life hell on earth. I alwaysthought he was malingering just to tie Maggie to his bedposts and keep her slaving."
"So did I. He has noliking for the idea of giving Margaret to a man with little means."
"Haven't you ever beentempted to push the old bastard over the edge?"
"Frequently."
"And?"
"It's a mortal sin. Wecan wait."
"Shall I do it foryou?"
Ian's eyes widened.
"Shall I?" Ruelrepeated.
"You're joking."
"Am I?" Ruelwondered himself if he had made the offer only to shock Ian or if he actuallymeant it. He was in a mood for violence, and MacDonald's nagging, torturousenslavement of his daughter seemed to him to be far worse than the mortal sinof which his brother spoke. "How do you know?"
"I know you."
"Not anymore."
"It's only the liquorspeaking." Ian shifted his shoulders uneasily. "Now, stop talkingnonsense."
"As you like." Rueltook another drink. "Tell me if you change your mind."
"Why are you like thistonight?"
"Like what?"
"Wild."
"It's the nature of thebeast."
Ian shook his head."You're on edge. Why?"
"I'm not on—" Whydeny it when Ian wouldn't believe him anyway? He had hoped the liquor woulddull the sharpness of the jealousy, anger, and pity Jane's words had arousedand had not lessened since he left her. He wanted to strangle—who, for God'ssake? Patrick, Kartauk, those men who had made her childhood a nightmare? Oh, whatthe hell. He poured another drink. "I saw the gold door tonight."
"And?"
"It's a splendiddepiction of the Garden of Paradise... with Abdar's face as the head of theserpent."
