"And it's fine workyou've done too." He sipped the whiskey. "But these monsoons are anasty business, and I'm not having you out there in that rain and mud. Youcould fall ill again. Give me one more day to transfer the rails, and then I'lltake over on the site and you can stay home and take the rest youdeserve."
She slowly raised her head tolook at him. He sounded as if he meant it, but she mustn't get her hopes up. Hehad made promises before and they had come to naught. "It would help ifyou'd come," she said cautiously.
"Then it's done." Hebeamed. "And in nine days we'll finish up the job and bid his highmuckity-muck and this blasted country farewell."
"I don't need a rest.With both of us at the site the work will go fast—"
"Nonsense. I can handleit myself. If you want to be helpful, you can take on those pesky accounts inthe top desk drawer. They haven't been done since Li Sung's been gone."
She was beginning to believehim. Hope leapt within her as she realized that without the burden ofsupervising the work on the site, she could spare the time to find a way to getKartauk out of Kasanpore. "You really mean it?"
For an instant a flicker ofcompunction crossed Patrick's face. He leaned forward and covered her hand withhis. "I really do. God knows, it's time I did some of the work aroundhere. Sometimes I wonder why you stay with me."
Because you're my father, shewanted to tell him. Because someday, if she proved she was worthy of it, hewould tell her so.
She knew she couldn't saythose words yet, but hope was growing stronger, brighter. "I made you apromise, didn't I?" She threaded her fingers through his. "And itwill be good to rest a bit. Thank you, Patrick."
He withdrew his hand andreached for his glass. "Speaking of rest, you'd better get on to bed. Youhave one more day of dealing with that muddle before I take over."
"You're right, I'll dothat." She stood up and moved toward her bedroom. "Good night,Patrick."
Now that she had theopportunity, how was she going to get Kartauk out of Kasanpore?
Ruel. She instantly rejectedthe thought and then brought it back and examined it. He had promised her notonly escape for Kartauk but to find a sanctuary for him. She could find a wayto the first requirement but had no means to furnish him a permanent safehaven. No one could doubt Ruel was a forceful, clever man and would probably bea match for Abdar. His words in the railway car had made sense and had alsoseemed sincere. His brother was an honorable man and believed in Ruel's basicintegrity.
Dear God, she didn'twanttobe involved with Ruel MacClaren again. She wanted only to be quit of him. Shehad been berating herself for her foolishness since the moment she had lefthim. She had told him it had been her choice, but she had yielded him somethingshe had never given before and she felt hurt and betrayed. Her body still achedfrom his possession and her emotions were raw as an open wound. The mere ideaof seeing him again frightened and angered her.
Frightened? It was ridiculousto fear him now that she was aware of how he had manipulated her. She had amind as well as a body and from now on would make certain her mind was fully incontrol. He was no longer an enigma, and now the only decision she must makewas whether she could trust Ruel enough to use him as he had used her.
Two hours later Ruel openedthe door of his hotel room in answer to a brusque knock.
Jane stood in the hall.
"What a pleasantsurprise. Would you care to come in?"
"No," she saidcoldly. "I just came to tell you Patrick is taking over the site day aftertomorrow which leaves me free to try to work on getting Kartauk out ofKasanpore. Be sure to be at the site on time tomorrow. We don't want Abdar tosuspect anything is wrong."
He became still. "Then Itake it this means you're going to accept my help?"
"Why not? As you said,it's not often you offer it."
"Quite true." Hepaused. "You don't have to worry, Jane. I'm capable of doing any number ofself-serving things, but you can be sure of two things about me. I always takerevenge for any injury done me and I never break my word."
"I will worry but I'll bewatching you." She turned and strode back down the hall toward the steps."And getting Kartauk out of Kasanpore is worth the risk."
"Wait. How did you gethere?"
"What difference doesthat make?" she asked impatiently. "I walked. I wasn't about to takeBedelia out in this weather again." She disappeared around the landing.
He was tempted to follow herand offer to escort her back to the bungalow, but he knew she would reject hisprotection. She distrusted him and perhaps, though she wouldn't admit it, evenfeared him. A fear that was more justified than she realized, he thoughtgrimly. He had expected his lust to abate after the afternoon, but having herhad only whetted his appetite. The moment he had opened the door and seen hertonight he had hardened.
She had probably reached thestreet now and was starting toward the outskirts of Kasanpore.
There had been no sign ofAbdar and Pachtal in the past weeks, but who knew when Abdar would growimpatient? The streets were dark and in this heavy rain someone could hideunseen in one of the shop alcoves...
He slammed the door andhurried down the hall, cursing himself. Since when had he become enamored ofrescuing females? Jane knew how to care for her own well-being and, if she sawhim following her, would probably draw that knife in her boot and gut him. Hewas bone-tired, dry for the first time all day, and didnotwant to goout again.
But he knew he wouldn't sleepuntil he knew the blasted woman had safely reached the bungalow.
