He pouted. "You don'tappear upset. Iwantedyou to be upset."
Ruel allowed himself a smallsmile when he felt like jumping in the air and shouting. By God, hehadit!"No doubt when I've had time to think about my foolishness I'll beappropriately dismayed."
The maharajah brightened."No doubt. I've been very clever, haven't I?"
"Very clever." Ruelturned and left the audience chamber.
** *
"You had to give morethan you planned for it," Ian said as soon as Ruel joined him.
"I still have threethousand pounds left. It will get me started."
"I wish I could helpyou," Ian said, frowning. "But you know there's never been any moneyat Glenclaren."
"I don't want your money,Ian," Ruel interrupted.
"It's your money too.I've always planned on sharing what little there is with you." He addedgently, "Don't let bitterness stop you from accepting what's yours."
"I'm not bitter."Ruel realized to his astonishment that he spoke the truth. For the first timesince he could remember, he felt entirely free of bitterness. It was as if theacquisition of Cinnidar had miraculously banished the weight of those painfulmemories and made him suddenly lighter... younger. "Keep your money, Ian.Glenclaren needs it worse than I do. I'll find a way to get what I need. I'llbe fine."
Ian studied his face and thenslowly nodded. "Yes, I believe you will. I guess it's time I wenthome." He cleared his throat and said, "Suppose we kill two birdswith one stone? I'll arrange passage on a ship out of Narinth for myself and aservant and go with you on the trial run. Scotland should be as safe forKartauk as anywhere else."
"But will Glenclaren besafefromhim," Ruel murmured. "He might decide to tear downthe battlements to make a furnace."
"What?"
"Never mind. I'm sureMaggie will be able to put a stop to any blatant desecration."
"Margaret," Iancorrected him automatically, then in a softer tone. "Margaret."
Ruel felt an overwhelmingsurge of affection as he looked at Ian's wistful face. Now that Ian wasleaving, it was safe to lower the barriers he had raised against him so longago. Even if it hadn't been safe, he didn't know if he could have stifled theemotion. In this moment the world seemed a bright and kind place, where nowalls were necessary. "I'll try to remember," he said gently."Margaret."
"Cinnidar," Abdarmurmured. "You're sure it was Cinnidar?"
Pachtal nodded. "So theemir said. He was boasting about what a fool the Scot was to buy a worthlessisland."
"MacClaren is no fool.Cinnidar must have value of some sort. After we have Kartauk we may have tolook into that purchase." Abdar shrugged. "And, now that MacClarenhas what he wants, we've lost a weapon. Pity. I believe the Scot provided uswith an excellent chance to get Kartauk back."
"And what now?"
"Now we must find Kartaukon our own... which means Jane Barnaby. Go to Zabrie's and find out if theChinese boy has returned."
"I could approach thegirl again and attempt to bring her here. Time has passed and she will probablynot expect a move on our part."
"Not yet. She has alreadydemonstrated she is both loyal and stubborn, and it would take considerabletime and effort to get the information out of her." He reached out afinger and stroked the dagger in the goddess's hand. "The railroad isnearly completed and she and Reilly will leave Kasanpore soon."
Pachtal smiled. "Whichmeans she will wish to leave Kartauk safe."
"It seems a reasonablesurmise. So we stay very close and when the opportunity presents itself—"
"We scoop Kartauk up andbring him back to the palace."
"At last." Hisfinger touched a golden drop of blood. "I cannot tolerate that fool of aBenares for much longer. Compared to Kartauk his skills are laughable." Hesmiled. "And since my father has no further use for the girl now that therailroad is completed, I believe we may also take her. Do you not think itfitting we let his little savior be Kartauk's first subject?"
"Scotland?" Kartaukfrowned. "My mother told me it was a stark, cold country. An artist needswarmth and color to feed his soul. I like the sunlight."
"But I wager you likeyour hands better," Ruel said.
