"It may be so. If not, another lure shall draw him."
She started with annoyance. "The Englishwoman of the picture?"
"Have I named her?" He lifted his heavy brows in affected surprise.
"Nay, but—"
"Secret for secret," he offered: "mine for thine. Is it a bargain, O
Pearl of Khandawar?"
"Keep thy silly secret, then, as I will keep mine own counsel," she said, with assumed disdain. It was no part of wisdom, in her understanding, to tell him of her interview with Amber. A man's jealousy is a potent weapon in a woman's hands, but must be wielded with discretion.
He was persistent: "I will back my plan against thine, Ranee."
"So be it," she said shortly. "Whichever wins, the stake is won for both. What doth it matter?"
She rose and moved impatiently down the walk and back again, bangles tinkling, jewels radiant on wrist and brow, ankle and bosom. The man watched her with sulky eyes until she turned, then bent his head and stood glowering at the earth and twisting his moustache. She paused before him, hands on hips, and raised her eyes in silent inquiry. He pretended not to notice her. She sighed with a pretence of humility thinly disguised. "Thy trouble, my lord?" she rallied him.
"I have wondered," he said heavily: "will he pass?"