The Tiger Prince

by Iris Johansen

  “Good God, I have been punished. Every time I look at him I hurt.”

  “But you don’t look at him. You stay away from the castle in your cozy little cottage by the mill and seldom see his pain.”

  She refused to justify herself, when he wouldn’t believe her anyway. “I’m not going to make excuses. You don’t want to hear what I have to say.”

  “No, it’s too late for excuses. Actually, I blame myself for failing to take into account Maggie’s zeal. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. I’m here now and can shape events to suit myself.” He smiled. “I have to get on to the castle. I stopped by only to warn you not to try to run away from me.”

  “If I chose to leave here, nothing you say could make me stay.”

  “But I’d find you. Or Li Sung.” He paused. “Or Patrick. Did I mention I paid a visit to Patrick at his lodging house in Edinburgh?”

  She stiffened warily. “You know you didn’t.”

  “Perhaps because he was less than coherent. Is he always drunk these days?”

  “So I understand,” she said reservedly.

  “I was surprised you’d let him out from under your protective wing. Could it be your fondness for the scalawag is waning?”

  She didn’t answer.

  “But there still seems to be some feeling there. His landlady says your quarterly payments keep him out of the gutter.” He nodded. “Yes, I believe I can use Patrick.” He reached out and tucked her shawl more closely around her shoulders in a gesture that was oddly possessive. “Go back to the cottage. It’s growing cooler and you’ll catch a chill.”

  The gesture caught her off guard and she stared at him in bewilderment. “You wouldn’t care if I froze to death.”

  “That’s not true. I’d care very much. I don’t want anything or anyone to touch you.” He paused. “But me. I want you to realize that I’m the only wind that can blow you either good or ill.” The words were spoken softly, casually, but she was aware of an underlying intensity. His fingers reached out and caressingly touched the side of her throat. She experienced a shock of heat that caused her to jerk away from him.

  He smiled as he noticed the involuntary response. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning to see you. By that time I will have had my talk with Maggie and Ian and be ready to state my proposition.”

  “You’re going to try to persuade Ian to go to Spain?”

  “No, I’m taking him home to Cinnidar with me.”

  Her eyes widened. “He’ll never go.”

  “You’re wrong. Ian will come with me.” He met her gaze. “And so will you, Jane.”

  She forgot to breathe. “No,” she whispered.

  “Don’t go to the mill tomorrow morning, or I’ll come after you.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “Not at the moment. But yes, I am a threat to you. However, sometimes we choose to embrace a threat if we find it to our advantage. And you’ll definitely find my proposition to your advantage, Jane.” He turned and started down the hill. “By the way, don’t wear that shawl tomorrow. It displeases me.”

  This man who had once asked her to wed him didn’t think her worthy to wear the clan tartan. Strange that such a small thing should sting her when she had borne much worse from him. “You may not feel I belong here, but Margaret gave me this shawl and I have every intention of wearing it.”

  “You believe I’m outraged you’re desecrating the honor of the clan by wearing it?” He shook his head. “If I thought you could do that by wearing the blasted thing, I’d dress you in the MacClaren plaid from head to toe. I have no fondness for Glenclaren or its trappings. My father made sure I knew I didn’t belong here.”

  “Then you should not mind me wearing the tartan.”

  “But then, I’m not always reasonable. The tartan’s like a brand of ownership, and I don’t like the thought of Glenclaren owning you. Don’t wear the shawl again.”

  The panic she had tried to hide from him raced through her as she watched him walk away. He had only had to appear and she had been immediately plunged into the same emotional turmoil as the moment she had left Kasanpore. Only moments before he had come she had been bewailing the sameness of Glenclaren, but now she desperately wanted that monotony to return.

  He could not make her go to Cinnidar, she thought desperately. He could not make her do anything. The time was past when he could play on her emotions and twist her to do his will. She was safe from him now.

  She drew a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm herself. Yes, she had still felt the fascination drawing her to him, but that had been only of the flesh. It might be a power he would always have over her, but it was a power she could fight. It wasn’t love. She was over that madness now. She had purged herself of that insanity during these years away from him.

  It wasn’t love.

  e’ll never go,” Margaret told Ruel flatly. “If Ian refused to go to Spain, do you think he’ll travel halfway across the world to Cinnidar?”

  “We have to persuade him to go. Spain is too close to be a solution for him. He would start thinking about Glenclaren and you’d find yourself on the next ship to Scotland.”

  “You may be right.” Margaret frowned. “But I’ve heard the East is hot and unhealthy.”

  “Do I look as if it’s hurt me?”

  Ruel looked tough as a tree trunk, brown as the acorns that fell from it, and comely as ever, she thought. “But then, the devil takes care of his own.”

  He burst out laughing. “I believe I’ve missed you, Maggie. You always did know me better than Ian.”

  “I once thought so too, but I’ve been wondering of late. All this outpouring of generosity toward Ian and Glenclaren has led me to question my judgment.”

  His laughter faded. “I love Ian, Maggie.”

  “You have changed. You would never admit to loving anyone when you left here.” She gazed at him challengingly. “If you love him, come to Spain with us and make sure Ian doesn’t go back to Glenclaren until he’s well.”

  “I can’t, dammit. I have to take the next ship back to Cinnidar. The situation there is … delicate.”

  “Ian’s condition is also delicate.”

  He frowned. “Cinnidar isn’t like Kasanpore. It’s an island with sea breezes that cool and temper the heat. Do you think I’d risk giving him a setback?”

  Margaret studied him. “No,” she said finally. “You wouldn’t hurt Ian if you could help it.”

  He bowed his head mockingly. “I suppose I should thank you for having such touching faith in me.”

  “I don’t want thanks, I want assurances.”

  “Tell me what you need to know. I’ve told you Cinnidar’s climate is good and I can assure you of so many servants, they’ll be stumbling over themselves to help and care for Ian.”

  “Which may be a detriment instead of an asset. I’ve spent three years fostering Ian’s belief in himself. Housing?”

  “A palace. The Savitsar family built a palace overlooking the canyon a long time ago. The place has been deserted for decades, but I set workers to repairing and refurbishing it before I left Cinnidar.” He smiled faintly. “You can’t fault the accommodations, Maggie.”

  “We shall see.” She shook her head impatiently. “Why are we even talking about this? You’ll never persuade him to go.”

  “Not if he lacks confidence Glenclaren will be properly cared for. Do you have anyone who can meet that requirement?”

  “He would trust Jane to—”

  “Jane will be going with us,” Ruel interrupted. “And so will Li Sung. Think of someone else.”

  “That’s no easy task.”

  “A decision doesn’t have to be made tonight. We have a few days.”

  “Are you going up to see Ian now?”

  He shook his head. “Ian’s not stupid. He’ll know why I’m here the moment he sees me. I’ll let him get a good night’s sleep before I launch the attack.”

  “Then I’ll tell Mary to show you to a chamber
.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll not stay here. My father would rise from his grave at the thought of me resting within these hallowed halls.”

  “I would have thought that would be reason for you to stay.”

  “It’s not amusing to steal from a dead man.” He smiled without mirth. “Though there was a time when I would have offered my soul for a haven here.”

  “Where will you go?”

  He shrugged. “I’ll find a place. I’ll be back in the morning to talk to Ian.”

  “Who will say no.”

  “The first time,” Ruel said. “He’ll agree in the end, if you can find someone competent to run Glenclaren.”

  She frowned. “The vicar might know of someone. I’d suggest Kartauk, but Ian would never trust him to run the estate. He’d fear Kartauk would become absorbed in his work and let the castle burn to the ground.”

  “Kartauk is coming too. I have need of him.”

  “You may have trouble making use of Kartauk,” she said dryly. “He does not have a pliant nature.”

  “You’ve found that out?”

  “Kartauk has proved … helpful.” She glanced away from him. “He amuses Ian.”

  “And does he amuse you too, Maggie?”

  Her gaze flew back to him to find his gaze narrowed intently on her. “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing.” He shrugged. “I’ve been away a long time, and I’d forgotten how imbued with virtue you are.”

  “Virtue?” Her eyes widened in shock. “You thought I—”

  “It slipped out,” he said impatiently. “Forget it.”

  “I will not forget it.” Anger poured through her. “I love my husband, Ruel. How dare you say—”

  “I apologize, dammit. I’ll watch my tongue next time.”

  “You’d do better to watch your foul thoughts.” She whirled on her heel and strode toward the door. “And my name is Margaret. I allowed you a certain amount of indulgence when you were a boy, but if you ever call me Maggie again, I shall find a way to punish your impudence.”

  “Yes, Margaret,” he said.

  The hint of amusement she detected beneath the meekness in his tone grated abrasively. “I’ve changed my mind. You’ve not changed a whit. You’re as wild and insufferable as ever.”

  His amusement instantly vanished. “I need your help to get Ian to Cinnidar. Don’t let your anger at me hurt him.”

  “Do you think I’d do that?” She drew a deep breath and tried to control her temper. “I’ll speak to Ian tonight and try to prepare the way for you.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  “I doubt if it will do any good.” She opened the door. “You’d best be prepared to give up your plan and take Ian to Spain.”

  “If I don’t get back to Cinnidar soon, there may not be a Cinnidar … or a Glenclaren.” He paused and smiled. “Curious. I wonder why you’re so angry with me.”

  She slammed the door of the study and marched across the foyer toward the staircase.

  Ruel had been at Glenclaren only a matter of hours and he was already throwing her into a turmoil with his wicked tongue and wickeder thoughts. Mother of heaven, she had wanted to slap that comely face and— Why? Ruel was right, she did not easily lose her temper.

  It was perfectly reasonable for her, to be angry. He had given her insult.

  But he had apologized immediately and she had never let Ruel’s impudence disturb her before.

  She would dismiss the rascal from her mind, she decided firmly. She had better things to do with her energy than let Ruel upset her like this. She must prepare Ian for Ruel’s visit tomorrow.

  He had known there was nothing for him here.

  Ruel sat his horse on the crest of the hill, his gaze fastened on the thatched cottage a few yards away.

  The cottage had been deserted since he had left Glenclaren and was probably overrun with rats and cockroaches. He had known when he left the castle tonight he would not be able to sleep here. He certainly felt no sentiment for the place. He had spent more nights curled up in his blanket in the hills than in this hut. After the laird had lost interest in his mother and rejected her claim that Ruel was his son, she had made it clear Ruel was not welcome when she entertained the men of the glen.

  Perhaps he had come here to reinforce how fortunate he was to have escaped this place that had brought him only humiliation and tears. Tears? God in heaven, he had shed no tears since he was a boy of seven. He must be becoming maudlin to be recalling that foolish lad.

  Why the devil had he even come here?

  Jane.

  It had been Jane, gazing at him defiantly, wrapped in that damned MacClaren plaid that had set off the chain of memories and brought him here. He had thought he was prepared, but the moment he had caught sight of her he had felt … Dear God, what had he felt? Bitterness, lust … and possession. It was the latter emotion that he must strive to vanquish. Revenge would rid him of bitterness, the plan he was about to put in place would eventually slake his lust, but to own was also to be owned. Over the years the thought of her had possessed and now obsessed him.

  But this emotional turmoil would end soon. Once he had rid himself of the bitterness and lust, she would no longer be important to him. He would be able to forget her as he had forgotten this cottage, as he had forgotten that boy he had been, as he had forgotten Glenclaren.

  “Not overly luxurious but very bright and pleasant.” Ruel’s gazed over Jane’s head at the meager furnishings in the one-room cottage. “May I come in?”

  “No,” Jane said baldly.

  “I thought that would be your response. Then come and walk with me.”

  Walk out with me.

  The words he had spoken that night in Kasanpore came back to her as if they had been spoken yesterday.

  “But I’m not courting you this time,” he said softly. “We’ve gone far beyond that madness. I have a proposition to discuss.”

  Why did the devil always know what she was thinking? she wondered with exasperation. “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “Oh, I’ll probably be the one doing the talking. The only word you need say is yes.”

  She gazed at him mutinously.

  “You can come walk with me or I’ll come in. I’m not going away.”

  She hesitated, and then deliberately picked up her MacClaren shawl from the back of the chair by the door and strode out of the cottage.

  “That’s better.” He closed the door and strolled beside her up the path toward the hill. “Did you tell Li Sung of our talk?”

  “No,” she said curtly.

  “That’s all right, you can discuss it later after you have all the details.”

  “I’m not going to Cinnidar, and you’re mad to think Ian will go. Have you talked to him?”

  “This morning.”

  “And?”

  “He refused, of course.”

  She felt a ridiculous rush of relief. Of course Ian had refused. She had been worried for nothing.

  “But I’ll talk to him again this evening.” He paused. “And tomorrow morning, and as many times as it takes until he agrees to go.”

  Her relief vanished as she recognized the implacable resolution in his tone. She had heard that note a hundred times before during those first days of Ian’s illness. Ian had not been able to withstand him then, and she doubted he would now. “I won’t go with you.”

  He smiled as they continued to climb.

  “I won’t,” she said desperately. “You can’t make me go. I’d be a fool to let you put me in a position where you could hurt me.”

  “Unless you saw an advantage to you and your covey that would be worth the risk. I’ve thought a long time about ways and means of gathering you into my net. I was going to wait until you became a little more desperate, but circumstances have forced me to move a bit faster.”

  “Listen to you. I’m just supposed to walk into this net?”

  “No, you’ll cautiously edge forward, do everyt
hing possible to avoid it, work yourself into exhaustion to escape, and give in only when there’s no other choice.” He cast her a sideways glance. “Because the carrot I’m going to offer is too delicious for you to refuse.”

  “What carrot?”

  “A railroad.”

  Her eyes widened in shock. “What?”

  “Not only a railroad, but money enough to give you independence and the life you want to lead. Interested?”

  “No.”

  “Yes, you are, but you think I’m trying to trick you. No tricks. My cards are all on the table. You’ll know exactly what rewards and penalties to expect.”

  “This conversation makes no sense.”

  “Then I’d best hasten to elaborate. I need a railroad to carry gold ore from the mountain across the jungle and then up the canyon wall to the refinery at the harbor. I’ve managed to carve out a rough path wide enough for pack trains, but that’s only a tenth of the load railway cars could carry. I need that gold.”

  “Need or want?”

  “Both. I want it because it will make me rich as Midas. And I need it because, if I don’t get a large amount of gold processed soon, I won’t have the money to support Glenclaren and defend Cinnidar from Abdar.”

  “Abdar?”

  “Did you think the ground had opened up and swallowed him after you left Kasanpore?”

  “I haven’t thought about him at all.” She paused. “Any more than I’ve thought of you.”

  He ignored the last remark. “Abdar’s very much astir and interested in Cinnidar.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Pachtal showed up on the island over a year ago. I’m sure he took a fascinating report back to Abdar regarding the gold I’ve been shipping.”

  “What difference does it make? You own Cinnidar. He can’t touch it.”

  “Not now. But Pickering tells me he’ll soon be the ruler of Kasanpore. The maharajah is being treated for a tubercular condition by the British doctors at the fort and Pickering doubts he’ll last more than another nine or ten months. That means I must have Cinnidar well fortified by the time Abdar takes power.”

  “But you own it.”

  “The Savitsars originally annexed Cinnidar by force. If it suits his convenience, there’s nothing to stop Abdar from declaring the bill of sale null and void and make a move to take the island back.”