Ian smiled and left the room.
Ruel muttered a curse as hestared at the closed door. He wouldn't give up searching for Kartauk because ofsome idiotic twinges of conscience, nor would it stop him from taking what hewanted from Jane. Christ, if he'd had any sense, he would have eased thisblasted lust in the railway car yesterday. He couldn't go on like this muchlonger, heavy and hurting whenever he was with her.
Why the hell shouldn't he takewhat he wanted? He was no saint like Ian. Dammit, he was through waiting andbiding his time.
"Where are therails?" Jane demanded of Patrick when he walked into the bungalow thatevening.
"I think the maharajahwas pleased, don't you?" Patrick strolled over to the cabinet and pouredhimself a drink. "He was preening like a peacock over those brasslanterns."
"The rails were supposedto be delivered with the locomotive. Where are they?"
"I had to delay theshipment until I could arrange another loan from the bank." He took a longdrink "God, it was hot out there in the sun."
"I need thoserails."
"And we'll get them. Inthree days. I took care of everything."
"I thought you told methe bank wouldn't give us any more credit."
He scowled. "I told you,I took care of it. Now, go see if that lazy Sula's bothered to make us anydinner."
He wanted to put an end to herquestions, but she couldn't permit it this time. "We'll be at Lanpur Gorgein a week. I'll need those rails."
"You'll have them."He dropped down on the easy chair and closed his eyes. "Trust me."
She had no choice. She wouldhave to trust him, she realized with frustration. "I'll tell Sula we'reready to eat."
She turned and walked awayfrom him. God in heaven, sometimes she didn't think she could go on. She wasweary of fighting these constant battles with Patrick and the maharajah, andnow Ruel MacClaren had appeared on the scene to disturb and perplex her. Shequickly shied away from the thought of Ruel. She had enough problems withoutremembering the expression on his face as he had looked up at that blastedpainting.
She noticed a subtledifference in Ruel at the site the next day. He scarcely looked at her andbetrayed no hint of the sensuality he had exhibited in the railway car, and yetthere was something…
The first time he spoke waswhen they were walking back to their horses at sundown. "You've beennervous all day. Would you like to tell me why?"
"I'm not nervous. I justhave work to do. You may have time to indulge your whims, but this railroad isno joke to me."
"Stop attacking and tellme what's wrong. I may be able to help."
"You can't help."
"How do you know? I'm avery resourceful fellow. I find answers to most questions."
She whirled on him. "Canyou stop the monsoons from starting next week?" she asked fiercely."Can you find me a hundred workers willing to work free? Can you keep themaharajah from plaguing me with demands to get the blasted railroad completed?Can you—"
"No, I can't do any ofthose things," he broke in. "And neither can you, so why not acceptit and tell the maharajah he's not going to have his railroad completed ontime?"
"Because he won't pay us,dammit." She smiled bitterly. "He, too, indulges in whims. If wedon't perform to his satisfaction, he could ruin us."
"Don't you have acontract?"
She nodded. "But it's notworth anything in Kasanpore. We're helpless to enforce any contract against themaharajah."
"Then why did you takethe job?"
"Patrick thought itwas—" She untied the mare and mounted. "Why should I bother to answeryour questions? You don't care about my problems. I don't even know why youcome back here every day."
"Do you really want toknow why I labor so devotedly at your side?"
"I've asked you oftenenough."
