She kept the tears fromflowing until she closed the door of her room. The dream was over. It had beena foolish dream anyway. She had no need of a father. She had always had Li Sungto help her through the hard times.
But, dear God in heaven, ithurt.
"Come in." Abdarsmiled as he beckoned Zabrie to enter. "You must not be frightened."
Zabrie hesitated, glancingwarily from Abdar to Pachtal before slowly coming forward into the receptionchamber. "You are not angry with me?" She rushed on, the wordstumbling out. "It was no fault of mine. Li Sung lied to me. That foul dogdeserved his death in that gorge. I had no idea the information I gave you wasfalse."
"I know this. You wouldnot dare to try to fool me." Abdar glanced at Pachtal. "Though myfriend Pachtal tried to convince me otherwise. He has a very suspiciousnature."
She shot Pachtal a poisonousglance. Ungrateful bastard. She fell to her knees before Abdar. "I did notknow. I would never have sent you to Narinth if I had suspected Li Sung hadlied to me."
"You were tooconfident," Pachtal said coldly. "You thought your meager bed skillswould overcome his loyalty. I could have told you otherwise."
She flared with anger."You seemed to find me pleasing enough." Wrong move, she realizedinstantly, she must be more clever if she was to win through this situation.She forced a smile. "As Your Highness will in the future. I have planned anight to remember to show you how much I regret inconveniencing you."
"Have you indeed?"Abdar's smile widened. "I recall the pleasure you gave me and Pachtalbefore. I cannot think how you can best that unique episode."
He was intrigued. She loweredher lashes to hide both her contempt and triumph. Maharajahs or beggars, menwere all the same. They would forgive you anything if you could find a way tosatisfy their lust. "That was only the beginning. I can make you—"
"Promises." Abdarinterrupted. "Words do not interest me." He took a step forward andcupped her cheeks in his hands. "But you do," he said softly. "Ifind you exceptional. So much life... From the first moment I saw you I knew Ihad to have you."
Satisfaction surged throughher. It had been even easier than she thought. "I seek only to give youpleasure," she whispered. "You will permit me?"
"How can I resistyou?" His dark eyes were glowing as his fingers trailed down her cheek ina gentle caress. "I believe you're right. This will be a night toremember."
Chapter9
Youmust eat,Ian." Jane looked down withian anxious frown at the untouchedtray on the bed beside Ian. "How can you expect to get well if you don'teat?"
"I'm sorry. I'm a greatbother, aren't I?" Ian picked up his fork and took a few bites. "There,now I've eaten."
"Not enough."
"That's more than enoughfor a man flat on his back. It isn't as if I expend a great deal of energyanymore." He shifted from his side to his back and added, "But youmustn't tell Ruel. He worries too much as it is."
"He wants to get you wellenough to go back to Glenclaren."
"I've been thinking aboutthat." Ian looked down at his plate. "Perhaps it would be better if Ididn't go back."
She looked at him, stunned."Not go home?"
"Servants are cheap hereand I'll need care... for a while."
Because he prayed he wouldsoon die and be freed from his bondage. Aching pity flooded through her as shelooked at him. His dark hair had grown shaggy and lackluster in the past weeks,his big body distressingly thin, but it was that wistful yearning for releasefrom life that worried her most. "But you love Glenclaren."
His lips thinned with pain."That's why I'm not going home. I'm no good for Glenclaren anymore."
"Don't be foolish. You'llbe a great help to—"
"Margaret?" For thefirst time she saw bitterness in his expression. "Yes, I'd be a big helpto Margaret... another invalid for her to nurse. A cripple to lean onher."
"If she's the woman yousay she is, she would want you to come home to her."
"There shouldn't have hadto be a choice," Ian whispered. "I should have died in that trainwreck. God meant me to die that night. Ruel shouldn't have pulled meback."
"You think I have thepower to overrule God?" Ruel stood in the doorway, a smile pasted on hispale face. "I'm surprised at you, Ian. That's blasphemy, and besides, yougive me too much credit." He strode forward. "I see you haven't eatenyour lunch. Why don't you try a little more?"
"Ruel, I can't… " Hemet Ruel's gaze and then sighed, picked up the fork again, and began to eat.
