"Good." All mockery completely disappeared as a sudden brilliant smile lit his face. "No, very good."
"You think you'll get your Cinnidar?"
He nodded. "I'm damn close." He glanced at Sam. "Keep that dog in the bungalow no matter what your precious Patrick says. You don't want another snake to pay him a visit. There are too many cracks in that stable floor."
"I'd already decided to do that."
"That's right. You don't need any advice from me, do you?" He took off his hat and bowed.
He was walking toward the ricksha when a sudden thought occurred to her.
"Ruel, how old were you when you were bitten by the snake?"
He glanced at her over his shoulder.
"I don't remember. About nine, I suppose."
She watched the ricksha roll away in a jingle of melodious bells.
It got lonely sometimes.
Nine years old. She had thought he had been speaking of a time when he was much older. What had a child that young been doing alone in the hills at night? And why had he not been found until the next day, after he had made his way back to the castle? She would probably never know the answers to those questions. Ruel had clearly slammed the door on any further confidences.
Not that she wanted to breach those barriers, she assured herself quickly. Just when she thought her own defenses impregnable, he had found a way to squeeze through them. The most exasperating aspect was that he had not even been trying. He had shown her weakness instead of strength, honesty instead of deception.
And in that vulnerability he was more dangerous to her than ever before.
"You've brought it?" the maharajah asked eagerly as soon as Ruel walked into the audience chamber the next afternoon.
"No, but I think I'm close to finding it." Ruel paused. "Unfortunately, I've been so distressed by this business of the purchase that my memory has completely flown away."
The maharajah scowled. "Why do you play this silly game? I know you could give it to me if you wished."
Ruel merely smiled and remained silent.
"Oh, very well, you may have the island, but not for forty thousand pounds. The High Adviser says it's worth at least ten thousand more."
Ruel tried not to let the tension show in his expression. "I'm not a rich man. I could perhaps afford another five."
"Done." The maharajah smiled craftily. "We'll sign the papers after you give me the—"
Ruel cut in quickly, "My brother and Colonel Pickering are outside in the anteroom with the proper agreements. Perhaps we could sign the papers now and then I could devote my entire attention to finding the other piece." He paused. "You might have it within the hour."
"Then let's have it over with," the maharajah said impatiently. "Call them in."
Forty-five minutes later Ruel tucked one copy of the legal agreements in his pocket and handed another to Colonel Pickering, who in turn gave a bank draft to the High Adviser.
"There, it's done," the maharajah said. "Now keep your promise."
"I have every intention of doing so." Ruel snapped his fingers. "The carriage. I've just remembered I left the other package in the carriage after I left the toy store." He turned to Ian. "Would you go out and fetch it for His Majesty?"
"Delighted." Ian moved toward the door with Colonel Pickering. "I'll give it to a footman and meet you at the front entrance."
The maharajah watched them leave the chamber before turning and smiling slyly at Ruel. "You think you've bested me, don't you?"
"Why would I think that?"
"But I'm the one who has cheated you. Cinnidar is worthless. My adviser said it's just a barbarian wilderness of jungle, mountains, and wild animals. Even the summer palace my great-grandfather built there has probably rotted away with disuse. The island's not worth a quarter of what I charged you for it."
"Then you've obviously made a fool of me."
He pouted. "You don't appear upset. I wanted you to be upset."
Ruel allowed himself a small smile when he felt like jumping in the air and shouting. By God, he had it! "No doubt when I've had time to think about my foolishness I'll be appropriately dismayed."
The maharajah brightened. "No doubt. I've been very clever, haven't I?"
"Very clever." Ruel turned and left the audience chamber.
. . .
"You had to give more than you planned for it," Ian said as soon as Ruel joined him.
"I still have three thousand pounds left. It will get me started."
"I wish I could help you," Ian said, frowning. "But you know there's never been any money at 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 added gently, "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 time since he could remember, he felt entirely free of bitterness. It was as if the acquisition of Cinnidar had miraculously banished the weight of those painful memories 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'll be fine."
Ian studied his face and then slowly nodded. "Yes, I believe you will. I guess it's time I went home." He cleared his throat and said, "Suppose we kill two birds with one stone? I'll arrange passage on a ship out of Narinth for myself and a servant and go with you on the trial run. Scotland should be as safe for Kartauk as anywhere else."
"But will Glenclaren be safe from him," Ruel murmured. "He might decide to tear down the battlements to make a furnace."
"What?"
"Never mind. I'm sure Maggie will be able to put a stop to any blatant desecration."
"Margaret," Ian corrected him automatically, then in a softer tone. "Margaret."
Ruel felt an overwhelming surge of affection as he looked at Ian's wistful face. Now that Ian was leaving, it was safe to lower the barriers he had raised against him so long ago. Even if it hadn't been safe, he didn't know if he could have stifled the emotion. In this moment the world seemed a bright and kind place, where no walls were necessary. "I'll try to remember," he said gently. "Margaret."
"Cinnidar," Abdar murmured. "You're sure it was Cinnidar?"
Pachtal nodded. "So the emir said. He was boasting about what a fool the Scot was to buy a worthless island."
"MacClaren is no fool. Cinnidar must have value of some sort. After we have Kartauk we may have to look into that purchase." Abdar shrugged. "And, now that MacClaren has what he wants, we've lost a weapon. Pity. I believe the Scot provided us with an excellent chance to get Kartauk back."
"And what now?"
"Now we must find Kartauk on our own . . . which means Jane Barnaby. Go to Zabrie's and find out if the Chinese boy has returned."
"I could approach the girl again and attempt to bring her here. Time has passed and she will probably not expect a move on our part."
"Not yet. She has already demonstrated she is both loyal and stubborn, and it would take considerable time and effort to get the information out of her." He reached out a finger and stroked the dagger in the goddess's hand. "The railroad is nearly completed and she and Reilly will leave Kasanpore soon."