She didn't answer:
"All right, you don't have to wear the damn gown again," he burst out.
"It doesn't matter."
"Take it off."
"I'm too tired."
He muttered a curse beneath his breath. The next moment he was pulling the gown down her body and throwing it into a glittering golden heap on the floor. He pulled the covers up around her again. "Satisfied?"
It was not like Ruel to be so defensive, she thought dimly, but it was no more unusual than his other behavior today. "It doesn't matter," she repeated, and closed her eyes. "Not important . . ."
"Take me with you, Patrick," Jane muttered. Her voice rose. "Take me with you!"
"What the hell—" Ruel roused from sleep to see Jane tossing wildly on the bed next to him. Her eyes were closed. She was only dreaming, he realized with relief.
He reached over to shake her shoulder. "Wake up, it's only—" Her flesh was burning hot under his hand, "Jane?"
"I don't want to be like her." Her breath was coming in pants. "I won't be any bother. Take me with you, Patrick."
"Jesus, what the hell's wrong? Wake up." He sat up in bed and lit the lamp on the bedside table before reaching over and shaking her again. "Open your eyes, dammit."
Her eyes opened but stared without seeing. "The train. He's leaving on the train." She panicked. "Don't leave me, Patrick."
"No one's leaving you." His arms closed around her. God, she was hot. His heart was pounding as hard as hers as he tried to make her lie still against him. "It's all right. No one is going to leave you."
"Yes, he will. Unless I make him take me."
"Christ, stop thrashing around."
"Patrick!"
What could he do? She wasn't in her right senses and he was afraid to leave her alone even to fetch help. Tamar wouldn't return until he brought breakfast.
"Please, I don't want to be like her," she whispered.
His arms tightened around her. He knew who she was talking about and the memory she was reliving. While awake she may have conquered her demons, but now she was a child again with all the fears and torments of the mind let loose.
The torments he had deliberately brought her here to set free.
Who could be hammering at the door at this time of night? Margaret wondered drowsily.
Then, as she came fully awake, she glanced quickly at Ian. Thank goodness he had not been disturbed. She struggled into her robe, thrust her feet into slippers, and marched across the room to throw open the door. Ruel. She should have known who would be so lacking in consideration.
"Merciful saints, must you come pounding in the middle of the night? Ian needs his sleep, and it's a wonder you didn't wake him. Why could it not—" She broke off as she saw his strained face and glittering eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I need you," he said hoarsely. "Can you come?"
"Come where?" She cast a glance over her shoulder. Ian was still sleeping soundly. The pain had been bad last night and she had been forced to give him extra laudanum. She stepped into the hall and quietly closed the door behind her.
"The summerhouse." He took her elbow and strode down the hall, half leading, half dragging her. "I need you."
"That's the first time I've ever heard you say that," she said dryly. "I can hardly wait to hear in what manner."
"You know about sickness," he said jerkily. "You took care of your father and Ian."
"You're ill?"
"Jane."
"Jane's here?" she asked, startled.
"Would I be coming after you if she were not? Stop asking questions and hurry. I've left her alone too long already."
Her pace quickened. "What's wrong?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't have called you. Fever. Chills. She's out of her head. She doesn't know me."
"Have you sent for the physician?"
"Of course I have, but it may be hours before Tamar gets back with him. She needs someone now."
"What is she doing at the summerhouse?"
He looked straight ahead. "That's not your concern."
"What have you been up to, Ruel?"
He didn't answer.
It was clear he was not going to confide in her the exact nature of this particular deviltry. "I may not be able to help."
"You can try." He opened the french doors leading to the terrace. He added haltingly, "Please."
Good God, Ruel must be frantic if he was desperate enough to plead. "I'll try."
Margaret came out of the summerhouse and closed the door behind her. "She's better."
A muscle jerked in Ruel's cheek. "Thank God."
"The fever's down and she v/oke up long enough to answer some of the doctor's questions. He said the fever should leave her entirely in a few hours."
"What the hell's wrong with her?"
"Malaria. She contracted it in Kasanpore and the fever recurs periodically."
"She never told me."
"Nor me," Margaret said. "And I've known her for three years. She's not a woman who confides her weaknesses." She wearily rubbed the back of her neck. "I must go back in case Ian needs me. I'll come and see her this afternoon."
"No, I'll take care of her from now on."
"You don't appear to have done much in that nature as yet."
He flinched. "I said I'd do it. She might find facing you awkward."
"You're trying to save her shame? How unusual. Your tardy gallantry is unnecessary. Jane and I understand each other. She knows I wouldn't blame her for your sins." She met his gaze. "And I'm not sure it's not my duty to take her back to the palace with me."
"She wouldn't go."
"I think she would. She wouldn't admit it, but she's always been afraid of you."
"Not anymore," he said with a crooked smile. "Not when she's not burning up with fever. And even if she were, she wouldn't go. We have an arrangement."
She snorted. "She has more intelligence than to make a pact with a conscienceless rogue like you. Why is she here?"
"You wouldn't want to know."
"You may be right." She was suddenly overcome with weariness. She did not need this additional burden weighing on her when she was so bewildered and strained herself. Who was she to call Ruel down for his iniquities when she had lately found herself falling into the same temptation? "Can I trust you not to—"
"Oh, for God's sake, do you think I'm going to jump into bed with her while she can barely lift her hand?" he asked explosively.
Whatever had happened here, Jane's illness had shaken Ruel. She had never seen him so pale and distraught as when he had appeared at her door. She could not be sure it would last, but Jane was safe with him for the time being. "If you need anything of me, let me know."
She started back up the path toward the palace.
Ruel looked like a death head, Jane thought hazily. Something had to be done. She would tell him she would take the watch over Ian tonight. Not that she had much hope of success when Ruel was so afraid Ian would slip away if he wasn't there to pull him back. "Have to . . . rest."
Ruel's gaze flew to her face. "What?"
"You should rest more. You look . . ." She trailed off as she came fully awake. This was not the bungalow in Kasanpore in those days they had worked together to keep Ian alive. This was the summerhouse . . .
"You're the one who needs rest." Ruel leaned forward and put a glass of water to her lips. "Drink."