He hugged her close. "I promise it will be for only a short while."
Their stay in Johannesburg might be for only a little while, but there would probably be other places, other times when Ruel grew restless and would want a change. Who knows? She might be the one to grow restless. They would have to learn to accommodate each other's needs in the years ahead. That was what love meant, and God knows she did love Ruel MacClaren with her whole heart. "We'll have to see."
"Now that we have our next move planned . . ." His hand tenderly stroked her hair back from her face as he whispered, "What didn't you really want Li Sung to tell me?"
Ruel was being as tenacious as always. She should have known he wouldn't be distracted, she thought resignedly. "Nothing important."
"A secret? Secrets are always tantalizing." He kissed her lightly on the mouth. "I'll find out sooner or later, you know."
He probably would find out the truth, but perhaps it would be at a time when the pain was not so fresh. In the meantime she would make sure they both had something to think about besides the past. She changed the subject. "I'll want to be back on Cinnidar by this time next year."
He frowned. "We'll try."
"No, it's important. We have to be here."
"What's so urgent? We can put Li Sung and Dilam in charge of the railway and the mine."
She shook her head. "While we're in Johannesburg I believe we should put our efforts to work on another project."
"What project?"
"One to which every ruler of a kingdom should give serious attention."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"A child." She nestled closer and whispered, "I want to have a child, Ruel. I want our child to be born here on Cinnidar next year."
Margaret boarded the Golden Hare two days later to set out for Scotland.
"We'll come back to Glenclaren for a visit next year," Jane said. "But if there's anything we can do to help, you must write us immediately."
"I'm not so helpless that I cannot tend to matters myself," Margaret said impatiently. "Though I'll admit I'll be glad of your company." She gave Jane a brusque hug before turning to Ruel. "Treat her well or you'll answer to me."
"I tremble in terror at the thought." Ruel brushed her cheek with his lips. "Good journey, Maggie."
"Marg—" She broke off. It was a small impudence and not worth bothering about. Ruel would never reform, but he was coming along much better than she had dreamed possible. "Of course I will have a good journey."
"She will not have it any other way. No storm would dare to touch her."
Kartauk. She tensed as she turned to see him striding up the gangplank. She had seen him only in passing since that night at the encampment, and she had told herself she hoped he would not come to bid her goodbye. Yet now joy was mixed with the sadness surging through her.
He stopped before her. "Even the supreme deity must bow before Margaret's will."
"Heathen blasphemy," Margaret said. "Just what I would expect of you."
Jane glanced from one to the other and then gave Margaret a final quick embrace. "Good-bye, Margaret." She took Ruel's arm and tugged peremptorily. "Come on, Ruel."
He smiled with amusement and mockingly inclined his head. "As you command. I live only to make you happy."
Margaret snorted as she watched them walk down the gangplank. "Not likely."
"I disagree," Kartauk said. "There is a certain amount of truth in his words. I'm surprised you cannot see it yourself." He turned to look at her. "But then, your judgment is clouded at present."
She hurriedly glanced away from him. "It is kind of you to come bid me farewell. I did not expect it." She held out her gloved hand. "Good-bye, Kartauk."
He took her hand. "You would have expected it if you didn't have your head buried in the sand." He frowned. "I do not like this glove." He stripped off her black glove and she felt the warm shock of flesh on flesh as both his big palms enclosed her own. "That's better. Now I can get on with it. I will give you a year of mourning before I come to you. I would allow you more, but that would probably be a disaster. I would find you in a nunnery or married to some dried-up cleric who would give you only duty and no joy."
She stared at him in astonishment. "I told you there could be nothing for us."
"Because you're confused and filled with false guilt. You're not usually so muddle-headed. Given time, I'm sure you will realize Ian would want you to take your happiness where you find it." He smiled. "With me."
She shook her head. "I would always remember—"
"Yes, you will," he interrupted. "But I will see that the memories are not bitter."
She stared at him dazedly. She heard the departure bell ring and welcomed it with relief. She must banish him and also this hope springing within her. "You must go."
He lifted her palm to his lips. "One year, Margaret." He dropped her hand and turned away. "Expect me."
She watched him start down the gangplank, her heart pounding, her emotions in chaos. She rushed to the rail. "No, don't come. You won't be welcome."
"I'll be welcome."
"What of your work for Ruel?"
"We may come back here."
"My place is at Glenclaren."
"We will discuss it after we're wed."
"We will not wed."
He stepped onto the dock. "Of course we will. You're not a woman to live in sin."
"I mean, we will not—"
"Of course, if you really wish to stay in that cold land, I suppose I could reconsider my decision not to give your Queen Victoria the benefit of my genius." He frowned. "But I will not do a head of her. Those double chins . . ."
The gangplank had been taken up and the ship was moving away from the shore. He stood there on the dock with his powerful legs astride and the breeze lifting his glossy brown hair.
"It will do you no good to come," she called desperately. "Stay here, Kartauk."
He shook his head. "How can I? I've discovered I cannot bear the thought of any other apprentice. You know I cannot allow my work to suffer."
"I will only say no."
"At first. But not last, my Margaret." He smiled and his expression lit with such loving confidence, she had to believe him. "In the end you will say, 'Aye, Kartauk.' "
About The Author
IRIS JOHANSEN has won every major romance writing award for her achievements in the genre since the publication of her very first novel, which earned her the Best New Category Romance Author Award from Romantic Times. She has won the Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Award as their readers' favorite author and was honored with Romantic Times's Lifetime Achievement Award. Other books by Iris Johansen include THE GOLDEN BARBARIAN, LAST BRIDGE HOME, and the books in the Wind Dancer Trilogy: THE WIND DANCER, STORM WINDS, and REAP THE WIND. She has most recently collaborated with Fayrene Preston and Kay Hooper on THE DELANEY CHRISTMAS CAROL. She is currently at work on a new historical romance, THE MAGNIFICENT ROGUE.