Tiger Prince

He could see the muscles of her back ease. "He's been busy."

"He can spare one evening." He kept his voice carefully light. "I wish to thank him for helping you fashion my fine seal."

"I will tell him but I ca

"Shall I write him a note?"

"No!" She turned to face him. "You really wish to see him?"

"One always wishes to see a good friend," he said quietly. "And it's been too long, Margaret."

"Very well, I'll see that he joins us." She turned on her heel and left the chamber.

His smile faded and he leaned back, closed his eyes, and let the pain wash over him.

God in heaven, why could you not have been merciful? Margaret did not need this additional cross to bear.

Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps it was not true.

He would know when he saw them together.

"Tamar, will you fetch another bottle of wine?" Ian made a face before glancing down at the chess board again. "This vintage doesn't please me."

"Certainly, Samir Ian." Tamar instantly moved toward the door. "I regret I failed you in this. Perhaps whiskey instead? I know you like that better."

"You know he can't have whiskey, Tamar," Margaret said. "The doctor said he was to drink nothing stronger than wine."

"He should not have forbidden him whiskey, if that is what he likes," Tamar said with a frown. "Whiskey, Samir Ian?"

"This wine tastes fine to me," Kartauk said.

"If Samir Ian says the wine is bad, it is bad," Tamar said with a touch of belligerence.

"Just another bottle of wine, Tamar," Ian said quickly.

Kartauk chuckled as the door closed behind the servant. "Good God, I see what you mean, Margaret. Is he always this obliging, Ian?"

"Always." Ian smiled faintly. "The Ci

Margaret frowned. "You're not a crock and he should not have offered you—"

"He meant only to make me happy," Ian interrupted. He changed the subject. "Margaret has been raving about your workmanship on Ruel's seal, but I ca

"Are you saying the apprentice is more talented than the master?" Kartauk looked up from the chess board with a grin. "Blasphemy."

"I'm saying I should judge for myself. Let me see Ruel's wondrous seal."

"Now?"

Ian nodded. "I'm tormented by curiosity. I must see it."

"Then I'll go fetch it from the studio." Kartauk started to get up from his chair. "It will take only a minute."

"No, not you." Ian turned to Margaret. "Would you go and fetch it, love? I plan on checkmating this rascal within the next few moves."

"If you wish." She moved immediately toward the door. "Though you'll be disappointed. My work is a mere dabble compared to Kartauk's."

"You never disappoint me, Margaret."

The chamber was silent for a time after the door closed behind her.

"Well, you've gotten rid of both of them," Kartauk commented as he moved his queen. "Why did you want Margaret gone?"

He should have known Kartauk would realize the seal was only a ploy, Ian thought with relief. Thank God Kartauk's bluntness was equaled by his perceptiveness. "She was uneasy. It was an uncomfortable evening for her, poor lass."

"Was it?"

"You know it was." He kept his gaze on the chess board, but he could sense Kartauk's wariness. "Which is why I will not ask you to come here again."

"Why did you ask me tonight?"

"I had to know. I had to be certain."

Kartauk's sudden tension was so well masked as to have been imperceptible if Ian had not been watching for it. "Certain about what?"

Ian hesitated, searching for words. "I don't mind for myself, you know. Oh, at first there was a sting. I've loved her all my life and gotten used to thinking of her as mine. I remember walking up that hill beyond the castle with her when she was only a lass of ten and thinking, all of our life is going to be like this. All of our life we'll be together. Such happy times ..." He trailed off and then smiled with an effort. "But those times are over, aren't they? And I'd be a true dog in the manger to blame anyone but fate' and myself for their passing. Margaret didn't leave me; I've been the one leaving her these last years."

Kartauk was silent for a moment. "I suppose I should deny it."

"No lies," Ian said. "Please, no lies. We have no time for them."

"No lies." Kartauk was silent again before he said haltingly, "I did not want to love her, but I do not regret it."

"You should not," Ian said gently. "Love is rare and beautiful. It enriches life."

"Margaret has never been unfaithful to you." Kartauk shrugged. "I am not like you. I do not think any pleasure is a sin. There was a time . . . but it never happened."

"I know, and it never will." Ian raised his gaze from the board. "It's only fair you realize that truth. She may love you but she will never leave me until the day I die." He grimaced. "And I can't even promise to do that with any great dispatch. I ca

"No one wants you out of the way," Kartauk said gruffly.

"No one but me." Ian smiled sadly. "I pray for it every night but I'm never taken." He went on brusquely. "But that is neither here nor there. The important thing is to keep Margaret as content as possible."

"You wish me to leave Ci

"Of course not. I would not deprive Margaret of your company. You will continue to keep her amused and busy, to protect her and love her as you are doing right now. However, I must deprive myself. She is so guilt-ridden, it's clearly a torment for her to see us in the same room." He met Kartauk's gaze. "And she must never know we've had this talk. You agree?"

"I agree." Kartauk nodded slowly. He blinked rapidly and looked down at the chess board. "You're a fine man, Ian MacClaren, and stronger than I would be in the same situation."

"Strong? I don't feel strong." He leaned wearily back on his pillows. "I'm just trying to do what needs to be done to help us all survive. I can't let Margaret suffer any more than she—" His gaze flew to the door. "She's coming." He quickly moved his bishop and then looked up with a smile as Margaret walked into the room. "You've been very quick. I still haven't defeated him. Come here and let me see the seal."

She handed him Ruel's gold seal and stood beside him as he examined it. "I told you it was much better."

"It's quite splendid." Ian put it beside his own seal on the bed. He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. "But I prefer the one you made for me. Ruel may have his elephants. My stalk of heather reminds me of Glenclaren."

Chapter 19