Page 21 of The Tiger Prince
"Well, take care ofyourself."
Easy to say but almostimpossible to do when the work never ended, she thought ruefully. "Iwill." She started quickly toward the bedroom door again, but a little ofthe lethargy and discouragement had dissipated in the surge of warmth she hadfelt for Patrick. He might use her, as Li Sung claimed, but he had rescued themboth from Frenchie's and given them freedom and a roof over their heads. Forthat alone she would always be passionately grateful.
She lit the oil lamp on thetable beside her narrow mosquito-net-draped bed and started to unbutton herloose shirt. She felt better now and would feel still better when she hadwashed away some of the sweat and dirt of the day. It would be foolish to putoff going to see Zabrie when Abdar was clearly becoming an active danger again.The bath would revive her. Then she would be restored enough to set out for thecity and deal with Zabrie.
"What is thisplace?" Ian whispered, peering at the large two-story sod house across thestreet.
Ruel's gaze never left thedoorway through which Jane Barnaby had just passed as he answered."Zabrie's. The Kasanpore version of a house of ill repute. Not exactly thekind of place a respectable lady visits."
"Zabrie... ah, yes, Abdarmentioned the place, didn't he?" Ian frowned. "Abdar could have liedabout its purpose."
"He didn't."
"How do you know?"
"I spent two nights herelast week."
"You didn't tellme."
Ruel murmured, "I'mhardly accustomed to consulting with anyone when I visit a whorehouse."
"I don't suppose youfound out anything about Kartauk?"
"No, I could hardly gofrom whore to whore asking questions."
"Then why did you comehere?"
"Before you dig for arich vein you have to survey the claim," Ruel said. "And thisparticular survey was not without its pleasures. Zabrie is an ardent student ofthe Kama Sutra."
"What's that?"
"The eighty-eightpositions of pleasure."
"Heathendebauchery." Ian was silent a moment before he was unable to restrain hiscuriosity. "How many did you try?"
Ruel chuckled. "Six. Whatelse could you expect when I paid the lady only two visits?" His smilefaded as his gaze went back to the house. "I wonder how well versed ourMiss Barnaby is in the joys of Kama Sutra. It seems you were wrong abouther."
"Not necessarily. Perhapsthis is where Kartauk is hiding."
"Perhaps." Ruelsmiled. "But not likely."
"Why not?"
"Abdar knew she camehere, and I doubt if he would have neglected to search the place. No, it's morereasonable she's missing her lover, needed an outlet for her appetites, andchose to make herself available. Zabrie told me a few of the so-called prim andproper wives of the officers of the fort come here on occasion. She furnishesthem with fanciful masks and a dimly lit room, and a diverting time is had byall." He kept his tone deliberately light to cover the chaotic mixture ofoutrage, satisfaction, and disappointment he was experiencing as he thoughtabout Jane Barnaby lying naked in one of those dusky rooms. Satisfaction thathe had been right and she was fair prey, outrage somehow connected with thesense of possession he had been fighting. As for the disappointment... Enoughof this soul-searching, he thought impatiently. He started across the street.
"Where are yougoing?"
"Why, to offer myservices." He smiled recklessly over his shoulder. "I'm tired ofwatching and waiting. It's time I took a more personal interest in thelady."
"You're going to askZabrie to send her to you?"
"Not by name. It's notnecessary. I doubt if there will be more than one white woman at Zabrie'stonight."
"Wait. I'll go withyou."
"And sacrifice yourchastity for my benefit?" Ruel asked mockingly. "I wouldn't evenconsider it. Maggie would never forgive me."
"Margaret," Iancorrected him. "And I have no intention of indulging my carnalurges."
