"Neither do I." Sheshrugged. "But I got used to them. I grew up in tents, and it wasn'tunusual for one to come visiting."
"Why in the hell didn'tyou do what I said?" he asked harshly. "You could have been—"
"Sam," sheinterrupted. "The snake would have killed him."
"And that's worth riskingyour life for?"
"He belongs to me,"she said simply. "You have to take care of what belongs to you."
He stared at her."Christ."
She bristled. "It's noneof your business. Sam's not very smart, but he's—"
"He's an asininehound." He added grimly, "And a fitting animal for you. I couldn'tbelieve it when I saw you charging that cobra with a pitchfork. I wanted tostrangle you." His hands balled into fists. "God, I was scared."
She hadn't expected him toadmit it. "So was I."
"But snakes don't makeyou freeze and break into a sweat." He smiled lopsidedly. "I didn'tcut such a brave figure, did I? Hell, I was a sniveling coward. All I wanted todo was to turn tail and run away."
"But you didn't runaway," she said quietly. "You told me to go. You were going to helpSam."
"Because there wasn't anyother way to get you out of that damn place. I saw you there and I—" Hebroke off and drew a shaky breath. "Jesus, I hated every second ofit."
She had never seen Ruel at adisadvantage, and this evidence of weakness filled her with curiosity."Why are you so afraid of snakes?"
"We're all afraid ofsomething." He picked up his slicker from the ground and pulled it overhis head. Then as he saw her still watching him he shrugged. "I suppose Iowe you an explanation for being such a damn coward." He was silent amoment and then admitted, "I was bitten once."
Her eyes widened. "By acobra?"
"No, this was years agoat Glenclaren. An adder. I used to sleep in the hills sometimes." He spokequickly, jerkily, as if he wanted to get through it. "I told you about mypet fox. I used to take him with me. It got lonely sometimes. I woke up onenight with a stinging in my left leg and found the adder snuggled under myblanket. I killed him with a rock." His lips tightened. "But I foundmy fox dead a few yards away. The damn snake had killed him before he decidedto crawl in bed with me."
"Oh no," shewhispered.
"I took off my shirt andtore a strip off to bind my leg and went to find help." He lifted hisshoulders. "I was never a lucky lad. My mother had decided to go to thevillage for the night. Ian found me unconscious the next morning and got helpfor me."
"Not before?" sheasked, horrified. "Why didn't someone else—"
He ignored the question."End of tale. I was on my feet in short order and none the worse."
Except he had lost a pet heloved and incurred a horror of snakes that would last him a lifetime.
His expression altered,closed. He said lightly, "You can see why I approved Kartauk renderingAbdar as a serpent on his golden door. I can't imagine a greater insult."He turned toward the ricksha waiting on the road beside the bungalow. "Ibelieve it's time I made my way back to the hotel. Don't worry, I won't boreyou with any more of my reminiscences."
"I wasn't bored,"she said slowly. "It made me sad."
"Really? I can'tunderstand why." He snapped his fingers. "Oh, yes, it must be thefox. Your heart is bleeding for my furry friend?"
"No." But she had anidea his heart had bled that night. Not that he would admit to such weakness.
"Then it must be forme," he said mockingly. "Tell me, do you want to take me under yourwing as you have Kartauk?"
She stiffened as she realizedhow much of her resistance toward him had melted during the past moments. Howstupid of her. Ruel was no more defenseless than that cobra she had dealt within the stable. She hurriedly changed the subject. "Why did you come here?Is there something wrong?"
An indefinable expressioncrossed his face. "I just decided to drop by."
His answer surprised her. Rueland she were hardly on terms that would invite such a casual visit. "Howwas your interview with the maharajah?"
"Good." All mockerycompletely disappeared as a sudden brilliant smile lit his face. "No, verygood."
