She silenced him with a wave of her hand.
"Are you ready?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Ready for what? Where in Christ's name have you been? I've been . . ."
Again she silenced him as she moved inside.
"Are you ready to ride?" She glanced in dismay at the belongings he had scattered about the tent. "We have to leave now, before dawn."
"Have you gone mad?" He stared at her. "We're returning to Agra day after tomorrow. The Moghul has . . ."
"We have to leave now, tonight." She examined him in the lamplight, consternation growing in her eyes. "The prince . . ."
"Jadar is finished." He cut her off. "Don't be a sentimental fool. He brought this on himself. You can't help him. Nobody can now."
They stood, eyes locked together, for a moment that seemed as long as eternity. Hawksworth did not move from his place on the carpet. Gradually her eyes clouded with sorrow, and he thought he saw her begin to turn.
He was on his feet, seizing her arm, pulling her toward him. "I'm not letting you die for Jadar. If he's meant to win, he'll do it without either of . . ."