She hastily threw a robe overher white cotton nightgown, ran to the front door, and flung it open.
Ruel and Li Sung stood on theporch.
"What are you doinghere?" Jane whispered. She glanced anxiously over her shoulder, but theknocking had evidently not disturbed Patrick. Her gaze flew back to Li Sung."What's wrong. Why aren't you at the temple?"
"He wanted to seeyou." Ruel made a face. "And made his desire known at the top of hisvoice. It was a question of being thrown out of the hotel or bringing himhere."
"What was he doing at thehotel?"
"A wee drop," LiSung murmured. He swayed and his knees gave way.
Ruel caught him and leaned himagainst the doorjamb.
"He's drunk," Janesaid blankly. "Li Sung never drinks."
"A wee drop… " LiSung's eyes closed.
"Nowhe wants to sleep," Ruel said indisgust. "He was wide awake and noisy as the devil at the hotel."
"You got him drunk,"she accused Ruel.
"Aye, it seemed a goodidea at the time." Ruel shifted his hold. "Is there a place here hecan sleep, or do I have to drag him back to the hotel?"
"The veranda." Shestepped aside and watched him half carry, half drag Li Sung across the roomtoward the french doors. "Why was it a good idea?"
"Do you think I set outto corrupt your virtuous friend?" He dropped him on the couch, snatched upa pillow, and put it under his head. "If I did, you can bet it won'thappen again. After the second drink he insisted on shouting Chinese proverbsat the top of his voice."
"Why was it a goodidea?" Jane repeated. "And why was he at your hotel and not at thetemple?"
"We ran into each otheroutside Zabrie's, and I invited him back to have a drink."
"Zabrie!" Her gazewent to Li Sung, who was now curled on his side, sleeping peacefully. "Andwhat were you doing outside— You followed him?"
"I was just out for astroll."
"You followed him."
"He's crippled and Ididn't like the idea of Pachtal— Dammit, how do I know why I did it? I seem tobe acting on impulse more often than not these days." He picked up acashmere throw from the chair and tossed it over Li Sung. "You don't haveto worry about him going back to Zabrie's. She went straight from Li Sung toAbdar at Savitsar Palace. After which our friend here felt the need of a bit ofcomforting oblivion."
"I see." She feltthe tears sting her eyes as she looked at Li Sung. "I should never havemeddled. She hurt him."
"He said she also madehim feel like a giant. You have to take the bitter with the sweet."
She swallowed. "Thank youfor caring for him. It was very kind."
"I'mnotkind. Itold you, it was an impulse that I—" He stopped and then said gruffly,"I don't like to see you worried and unhappy. It bothered me."
She gazed at him inbewilderment. "How strange."
"I thought so too,"he said testily. "And there's something else. I've been doing a bit ofthinking since this afternoon—" He stopped and then said in a rush,"Oh, what the hell, there's no other way to say it. I've decided I want tomarry you."
She stared at him in shock.She didn't think she had heard him correctly. "I beg your pardon."
"Not right away. It'sgoing to be a few years before I can offer you anything but the chance to watchme slave myself half to death. But when I have the mine working and the moneystarts rolling in… " He grimaced. "God knows when that will be. I maybe asking you to wait as long as Ian has for Margaret."
She shook her head dazedly."I don't understand this."
"Ian says I want a home.He says I need… " He shrugged. "Maybe he's right. What's a homewithout a wife?"
