"I didn't—" Shestopped as she met his knowing gaze. "What if I did? I didn't want youhere and you've made sure Patrick thinks you're his friend. You have no need totalk to him."
"Oh, but I do. I intendto ask for his daughter's hand." He snapped his fingers. "But then,that would confuse him, wouldn't it? He won't admit he has a daughter."
"You're notserious?"
"Of course I'm serious.Since I'm walking the path of virtue, I want to observe all the proper forms.He can't be asleep yet. I'll just go in and—"
"No!" She drew adeep breath. "This is foolishness and I won't have you botheringPatrick."
He suddenly gave in."Very well."
She started to swing the doorshut.
"If you'll come and walkout with me."
"Walk out?"
"At home in Glenclarenit's the custom for an affianced couple to walk out together in the evening.Properly chaperoned, of course."
"I have no desire to'walk out' with you."
"Then I'll be forced tocome in and have my talk with Patrick. I believe he'll give his consent to thematch. As you say, he has a liking for me."
He was clearly not to beswayed. "It's raining," she said weakly.
"All right, I'll besatisfied with sitting with you on the veranda." His brows lifted."Providing Li Sung has vacated the couch."
"He went back to thetemple early this morning." She gazed at him in frustration. He wassmiling, but she could sense both recklessness and implacable resolutionbeneath that glittering exterior. She threw open the door and turned on herheel. "Very well, ten minutes."
"Yes, memsahib." Hefollowed her across the room toward the open french doors. "You see howobedient I am? Obeying your every wish, trailing at your heels like yourfaithful dog, Sam."
"Sam doesn't trail at myheels." She sat down on the cushioned rattan couch. "Even he has toomuch sense for that."
"A remark aimed atme?" He sat down beside her. "But I'm not so favored as Sam. I'vetrespassed and must exhibit the proper show of humility."
"You?"
He chuckled. "I agree theidea is foreign to me, but I'm trying to make an adjustment. Give me yourhand."
"Why?"
"I want to hold it. I'msure even Ian and his Margaret hold hands. It's a proper courtingprocedure."
"We're notcourting."
"Of course we are."He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. "I thought I'dmade that clear. No, don't jerk away from me. I'm only holding your hand."His tone was soothing. "We'll just sit here and make conversation andlisten to the rain."
Her muscles were tensed andshe had to force herself to sit still. She was acutely conscious of hisshoulder touching hers, their locked hands.
"Relax. I'm no threat toyou. Actually, I'm trying to show you how tame I can be."
If she hadn't been so tense,she would have laughed aloud. He was no more tame than the winds preceding atyphoon.
She tried to ignore the heatbeginning to spread from the hand he was holding to her wrist and upper arm."You seem to know a great deal about courting customs in Glenclaren."
"Only from hearsay. I wasa wild lad and never had the patience for any of the more propertraditions."
And the mandarin would have noneed of patience. He would charm and issue a siren call and everything andeveryone would come to him. She moistened her lips. "Is Glenclaren farfrom—"
