"Never mind, thatexplains everything," Margaret interrupted. "Ruel was ever cavortingaround with the most peculiar people." Her gaze raked appraisingly over LiSung before dismissing him and fastening on Kartauk. "How strong areyou?"
Kartauk blinked. "Strongas a bull. Mighty as Hercules."
"One can usually discountthree quarters of what braggarts say, but that may still be sufficient."She turned and called, "Jock!"
A small, burly man with ashock of red hair hurried down the steps.
She ordered Kartauk, "Getdown from that seat and help Jock carry Ian up to his chamber." Shescooted out of the wagon. "Jock, put him to bed while I go to the sculleryand see what I can find for him to eat." She turned to Jane. "Comewith me to the scullery and make yourself useful. We have only three servantsto run this vast place, and now with four more mouths to feed I don't—"
Jane interjected quickly,"We won't be a burden to you."
"Speak foryourself," Kartauk said as he and Jock carefully eased Ian's stretcherfrom the wagon. "An artist is always the most precious of burdens, and itis the privilege of all to nurture and care for them."
"You dabble inpaints?" Margaret asked.
Kartauk looked pained. "Ido not dabble. I create for the ages. I'm a great goldsmith."
"Just so you're a stronggoldsmith. I won't have you dropping Ian on the stairs." She turned to LiSung. "Take the wagon to the stable and unharness those horses. Then comeback to the scullery and I'll find something else for you to do."
"You're treating themlike servants," Ian protested. "These are our guests, Margaret."
"Glenclaren can afford noguests who will not work for their bread." The gentleness with which shesmoothed back his hair belied the harshness of her words. "Now hush, andlet me have my way in this. I'll be up as soon as Jock gets you to bed andyou've had a short rest." She turned and strode across the courtyard,demanding over her shoulder of Jane, "Coming?"
Jane hurried after her."Coming."
"Wait." Margaret'sgaze fastened on Sam, who was gamboling at Jane's heels. "The dog isyours?"
"Sam will be notrouble."
Margaret's stare shifted toBedelia, who was following the wagon into the stable. "And thehorse?"
"I couldn't leave her inKasanpore."
"You'll have to get ridof both. We can't afford them," Margaret said flatly.
Jane drew a deep breath andsaid clearly, "No."
Margaret blinked."No?"
"They stay. They belongto me and I'll take care of them."
"I see." Grudgingrespect flickered briefly across Margaret's face before she turned and enteredthe castle. "See that you do."
The scullery to which Margaretled her was drafty, as crumbling as the courtyard, and could have used athorough cleaning.
Margaret intercepted Jane'scritical glance and said, "I arrived only two days ago and cannot doeverything. If it doesn't please you, clean it yourself."
"I didn't mean to—"
"Of course you did. Behonest with me. I have no time for polite mouthings."
Jane found herself smiling."Then I'll give you none. Since you gave me no quarrel about Sam andBedelia, I decided to hold my tongue, but the place is a pigsty. Li Sung and Iwill set to cleaning it as soon as he gets back from the stable."
"That's better."Margaret indicated a small gray-haired woman seated by a huge open fireplacepeeling potatoes. "This is Mary Rhodes. Mary, this is Jane Barnaby. Shecame with Ian."
"Another mouth tofeed," the woman said sourly. "It's not as if you didn't have enoughto worry about."
"She'll earn herkeep." Margaret strolled across the kitchen toward the fire. "And I'mnot worried. It's foolish to worry about things you cannot help. Is the stewdone?"
