The Tiger Prince (22 page)

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.”

Pachtal smiled. “Which means she will wish to leave Kartauk safe.”

“It seems a reasonable surmise. So we stay very close and when the opportunity presents itself—”

“We scoop Kartauk up and bring him back to the palace.”

“At last.” His finger touched a golden drop of blood. “I cannot tolerate that fool of a Benares for much longer. Compared to Kartauk his skills are laughable.” He smiled. “And since my father has no further use for the girl now that the railroad is completed, I believe we
may also take her. Do you not think it fitting we let his little savior be Kartauk’s first subject?”

“Scotland?” Kartauk frowned. “My mother told me it was a stark, cold country. An artist needs warmth and color to feed his soul. I like the sunlight.”

“But I wager you like your hands better,” Ruel said.

“True.” He shrugged philosophically. “Perhaps I’ll get used to the cold. Your brother will be my patron?”

“Ian can’t afford to give you more than a roof over your head.”

“No matter. I will find a patron for myself. Perhaps your Queen Victoria. I hear she has much gold.”

“I’m sure she’ll be delighted to know you have plans for it.”

“Once she has seen my work, I’m sure she will also. Maybe I will even consent to do her head.” He frowned. “Though I doubt it. Her face does not please me and I abhor double chins. I’ll make her a salt cellar instead.” He turned to Jane. “Where do you and Patrick go after you finish here?”

“Patrick doesn’t have any offers of employment yet. He said we’ll make a decision as soon as we get the money from the maharajah.” She braced herself and turned to Li Sung. “I want your promise you won’t leave the temple until the night we go to Narinth.”

He gazed at her without expression. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Why do you ask when you know the answer?”

“Li Sung, I told you what happened at Zabrie’s.”

“And I have not gone to her since that time.”

“It’s even more dangerous for you to go to her now.”

“You do not know she betrayed you. She has given me gifts. It would not be proper for me to leave without saying good-bye.” He didn’t wait for a reply but walked out of the temple.

Jane’s hands clenched into fists with frustration. She wanted to strike out at something.

“Li Sung is no fool. He won’t betray us to the woman, Jane,” Kartauk said quietly.

“Do you think I don’t know that? I’m afraid for him. I wish I’d never given that woman one rupee.”

“And why did you give her money, Jane?” Ruel asked softly.

“Because I was stupid. Because I never thought—”

“Because she has too much heart,” Kartauk said. “She saw that Li Sung was hurting and tried to ease his hurt. Because of his race and his crippled leg, he was shunned by women, even the whores in houses like Zabrie’s.”

“So you went to Zabrie and paid her to make sure he was made to feel like a man, not a cripple,” Ruel said.

“You’re not to tell him,” she said fiercely.

“I respect Li Sung. I wouldn’t hurt him, Jane.”

“Wouldn’t you?” She strode across the room toward the temple entrance. “We’ll leave the station for Narinth at seven two nights from now, Kartauk. Ruel thinks the safest place for you to wait for the train is on the other side of Lanpur Gorge. I’ll come for you in the early afternoon of that day and take you to the gorge.”

Ruel followed her out of the temple. “I’d better be the one to come for Kartauk. If Abdar’s found out I’ve managed to buy Cinnidar from the maharajah, he’ll know you’re his only route to Kartauk and will be keeping a closer watch on you.”

“You can’t come here alone. You don’t know the way.”

“Yes, I do.” He smiled as he saw her startled expression. “I could have led you here the last three times. I have a very good sense of direction and the maze you ran me was nothing compared to the sewers of London. Did I mention I was once a rat catcher?”

Her lips tightened. “So you made a fool of me again.”

His smile vanished. “I could never make a fool of you, Jane. You have too much dignity and strength.”

For the first time since he had arrived at the bungalow today, she really looked at him. The hardness that
was so much a part of his expression was gone, she realized. No, perhaps not entirely gone, but the gentleness with which he was looking at her reminded her of Ian. Impossible, it had to be a trick. He was nothing like his brother. “Sweet words.”

“True words.” He glanced away from her. “I want to tell you something else.” He paused before blurting out, “I’m … sorry.”

“What?” she said blankly.

“You heard me. Don’t ask me to repeat it.” He strode on down the path, still not looking at her. “And I won’t lie and tell you I wouldn’t do the same thing again. I wanted you and I wanted Cinnidar and there’s every chance I’d fall from grace.”

“Then why apologize? Why this change?”

“You too? Why does everyone insist I’ve changed? I merely wanted to—”

“Why?” she repeated.

He was silent a moment and then finally said simply, “I think I’m happy. I don’t ever remember being happy. I’ve been content, satisfied, but not happy. It’s a very odd feeling.”

“And now you’re happy because you’ve got your Cinnidar?”

“It’s more than Cinnidar. It’s like …”

“What?”

“A new life, a chance to start over …” He grinned. “Like getting off the train at the last stop and knowing it’s where you want to be. Does that make it clearer?”

“Yes.” He was describing how she had felt when she left Frenchie’s those many years ago, and she felt a sudden sense of kinship with him. “That makes it much clearer.”

“Anyway, I wanted to tell you.” He paused and then changed the subject. “You really think Li Sung will go to Zabrie?”

She nodded miserably. “He won’t listen to me. I wanted him to be happy but—” She had to steady her voice. “He’s always helped me and I wanted to help him too. Blast it, I should never have interfered.”

“How did he help you?”

“So many ways.”

“Tell me one.”

“Books. He taught me to read and write and cipher. His father believed knowledge would save Li Sung from staying a common laborer and made him study every book he could get his hands on from the time he was a small child. What Li Sung didn’t know, we learned together.”

“Kartauk said you’ve been together a long time.”

“He came to Frenchie’s, the place I grew up, when he was twelve. His father had been killed and Li Sung’s leg crushed in an accident a few months before. He was seventeen when we left with Patrick.”

“What kind of accident?”

“His father was a brakeman and was training Li Sung to the trade.” Her smile was bitter. “Li Sung was very proud of his father. Chinese were considered good enough to work the rails but not to be an engineer or fire a train, and even brakemen jobs were rare. His father could do all three and taught Li Sung. However, braking the train was his primary duty and one day he and Li Sung were both caught between two railroad cars and crushed.”

Ruel’s lips pursed in a low whistle.

“Oh, it wasn’t an unusual accident. It happened all the time before Westinghouse invented the air brake that could be worked from the cab by the engineer. Before that a link-and-pin coupler fastened one car to another, and to work it a brakeman had to stand between the cars. If he didn’t get the pin into the link at the right moment, the cars would come together and crush him.” Her lips tightened. “Which may be why the honor of being a brakeman was given to a Chinese. Li Sung’s father would probably never have been promoted to engineer,”