"I'm sure it's greed and not goodwill that's making you so accommodating."
He laughed. "That's true."
"We'll start out for the mountain tomorrow morning. I'll need a map."
"I'll do better than that. I'll go with you and shepherd you all the way to the mountain."
She tensed. "That won't be necessary. I wouldn't wish to inconvenience you."
"It's no inconvenience. I have to go back to the camp anyway. I returned only to make sure Ian is settled." He smiled. "Take advantage of the little help I offer now. Once we reach the mountain, your job officially begins and you can expect nothing else from me."
"I expect nothing now."
"Not even an interpreter to make your needs known to the workers?"
"I'll get Medford to recommend someone."
"Tamar has a cousin who is already at the base camp. Dilam worked as a crew supervisor for Medford, is well liked by the other Cinnidans, and knows elephants."
"I need someone who knows railroads, not elephants."
"You may find it to your advantage to know both. Those jungles have been home to the elephant herds for centuries. They're not fond of intruders in their domain."
She frowned. "Medford's report mentioned elephants but no particular problems. However, I'll accept your Dilam, if I consider him competent."
"Oh, Dilam's exceptionally competent."
"And loyal to you?"
"How suspicious you sound. Dilam won't be a spy in your camp. The Cinnidans are a very independent people. Even I can't buy their loyalty."
"That must be a great disappointment to you."
"No, actually it pleases me." He glanced at Li Sung and raised his voice. "And the Cinnidans have your fondness for pigtails, Li Sung."
"What?" Li Sung turned away from the balustrade, and Jane noticed again that expression of total absorption he had worn ever since he had arrived on Cinnidar. "Oh, yes, I noticed on the way from the village. This proves they must clearly be a very superior people."
"Clearly," Ruel agreed solemnly.
"And they're extremely handsome but they don't look Indian. Their skin is more golden than dusky and they're taller and huskier than most of the Indians I saw in Kasanpore. Are they of mixed blood?"
Ruel shook his head. "Tamar tells me the Cinnidans originally came from one of the Polynesian islands in the South Seas and settled here. Abdar's great-grandfather's 'annexation' was very brutal, and the Cinnidans refused to have anything to do with the Savitsars or their retainers. They moved all their tribes away from the coast to the jungle in the canyon. Since the canyon was nearly inaccessible, they were untroubled by any interference."
"Very clever." Li Sung started to turn back to the balustrade, when his attention was caught by something else. "Who lives there?" He pointed to a charming pagoda-style cottage with a curling slate-blue tiled roof a short distance from the terrace.
"No one. That's the summerhouse. I had it built to use as a retreat when I needed to get away from the palace." He smiled at Jane. "I haven't used it yet, but I'm sure I will soon." Before she could speak he turned away. "Ah, here's Tamar. If you'll excuse me, I'll see you both at dinner."
Jane breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him saunter toward the palace. Except for that brief moment of intimacy when they had first arrived, Ruel had acted with the casual courtesy and good humor of a host welcoming honored guests to his domain. She had no hope his behavior would continue in this vein, but she would gratefully accept any respite until she got her bearings.
"What do you know about elephants?" she asked Li Sung as they followed Tamar into the palace.
"Elephants?"
"Ruel believes they may prove a problem. Didn't you hear anything he was saying?"
"No, I was thinking of something else. The only thing I know about elephants is that I don't like them."
"Why not?"
"They have very big feet." As she continued to frown at him in puzzlement, he went on. "Cripples are extremely cautious of creatures with big feet. It's sometimes not easy for us to get out of the way of them."
She chuckled. "Then we'll have to make sure you don't encounter any at close range."
"That is my most earnest hope."
"If you don't mind my saying so, you're a bloody fool, Ruel," James Medford said bluntly.
Ruel chuckled. "It wouldn't do me any good to mind when you'd say it anyway. You don't have to approve of Miss Barnaby, you have only to make yourself available in case she needs information or advice."
Medford scowled. "Which probably means I'll be building the damn line myself and not getting paid for it."
"Once you meet the lady I believe you'll realize she's not one to take advantage of you." He motioned a servant to refill Medford's glass. "How is your work going?"
"Well enough." Medford was not to be distracted. "Good God, wasn't that mess she made of the line in Kasanpore enough for you?"
Ruel stiffened. "You know about that?"
"Pickering told me."
"You didn't mention it to me."
"Because I couldn't believe you wouldn't change your mind and give me the go-ahead to finish the entire line."
"You're getting greedy." He lifted his whiskey to his lips. "Not that I should complain when I've been accused recently of that fault myself."
"Really? Who was so bold as to dare risk offending the great white rajah of Cinnidar?"
"Jane Barnaby."
"Interesting. At least, I'm now assured she didn't use flattery to cajole you into hiring her."
"She doesn't know the meaning of cajolery."
"Which leaves me with the same puzzle with which I started. Why the devil did you hire her to—" He stopped in midsentence, his gaze on the doorway. "Is that our Miss Barnaby?"
Ruel followed his glance and caught a glimpse of braided red hair shining under the blazing chandeliers. "Yes, that's-—" He stiffened in shock as his gaze wandered over Jane.
She wore a simple white gown of some filmy material that bared her arms and shoulders and emphasized the tininess of her waist and the fullness of her breasts. For the first time since he had met her, she looked totally, desirably woman.
"Never mind," Medford murmured.
Ruel jerked his gaze from Jane to see Medford watching him. "What?"
"You don't have to tell me why you gave her the job," Medford said, his glance falling to Ruel's lower body. "It couldn't be more obvious."
Dammit, he had only had to look at the woman to ready like a stallion eager to mount a mare. He said curtly, "I'll bring her over and introduce you."
"Don't hurry, I'm not panting to meet your little ..."
Ruel didn't hear the rest of the sentence as he moved across the wide salon, his gaze never leaving Jane. Her skin glowed with a soft flush and she was looking warily at him. She should be wary. He wanted to touch that skin, brush his fingertips over her bared shoulders, reach into the gown and cup her breasts. Why not? he thought recklessly. Medford had mockingly referred to him as the rajah of Cinnidar, but that power was very real. He could have her brought to his chamber and do anything he wished to her. He could undo that tight braid and run his fingers through her hair. He could strip off her gown and part her thighs and move—
He stopped before her. "Good evening. I didn't expect such elegance. You look . . . exceptional."