Then he began to move, and it was like making love underwater, the motions muffled and slow and silent.

The climb was long and lingering, prolonged almost beyond endurance.

Just when Noel thought she could take no more of the slow torture, she felt

waves of sensation begin to crash and break around and through her. Once again she forgot where they were but Jason's lips covered hers, drank in her thankful cries. And she did the same for him.

" " Sq H,a,q A RI Gtrr rrlcE figure under that bulky robe. Why did you close the curtains? "

Jason set down his coffee cup. "There's a limit to what I'm willing to contribute to your video library."

The Sovereign laughed. "The only way you've disappointed me, lad, is that I

never could tempt you with perversions. "

Jason reached for a piece of toast and began to spread it with wild blackberry jelly. "There's no accounting for tastes. But if you want her on tape, you can always invite the winner of the auction to spend the night."

"I've already considered that. Or perhaps it would be more rewarding to sell

her separately: '

Jason didn't look away from the Sovereign's steady regard. "Of course, she's yours to dispose of."

"qI was worried that you might be getting attached." "Constant adoration gets a bit boring," Jason tossed off. "But speaking of the auction, maybe you'd better bring me up to speed. Why take the risk of having them come here? Why not just do it on closed-circuit TV?" "Because it is a risk. Or it would be, for any other man. This way I show the people who matter how solidly I've consolidated my power. " "Point taken." Jason set down his coffee cup. "I wish I could be in the auction gallery when they start bidding. But, of course, you don't want her simpering over her husband while you're dangling her in front of a group of other men. It spoils the effect."

" Quite right. "

Jason steered the discussion to another topic. " " Who's accepted your

invitation? "

"Everyone except the admiral."

"I would have thought he'd jump at the chance."

"He knows me too well," Sir Douglas elaborated. "He's a wee bit afraid if he

comes here, he'll leave in a tin-lined box. But Lloyd is taking the chance. And Buell. And Prince Abu."

"In person? Impressive.""He wanted to send a cabinet minister. I told him he'd bqtqer get his royalarse to Scotland if he wanted to partuqpats ,"

Jason laughed. "You didn't!""Well, not in those exact words. The only one who 't coming in person is Spencer. He's too sick. But he's o1d colleague from the CIA, so I've made aconces He's sending his son Jed." 'qYou had the son checked out? """ Of course. "

They discussed the strengths and weaknesses of each man, and the plans for the auction. Finally the Sovereign leaned back in his chair.

"I can't finalize anything until I know how your little wife is doing. Go and take the lass up a breakfast tray. And have her down here in an hour. I want to see what kind of state she's in."

;i NoEL srrucqq deqper into the warm covers, smiling.

She was dreaming about their honeymoon at the cabin.

She fought to cling to the good memories. Slowly they began to seep away. She pulled at the covers, tugging them up around her shoulders as if they could keep her safe, but she could sense tendrils of cold oozing into her cozy nest. Tendrils of fear qreaching for her. Shaking her.

Trying to wake her to reality.

"No," she moaned. Her eyes squeezed tighter shut. If she opened them, she wouldn't be at the cabin at all. The cabin was too long ago and far away.

Before She shuddered. If she let herself wake up, she'd be at i Castle Lockwood. And her husband would be somewhere she could never reach him.

No. She wouldn't let it happen. But it was too late. The man she loved was gone from her. Forever. And the feeling of devastation was more than her anguished soul could bear. A noise made her body jerk, and her eyes flew open.

Relief and amazement flooded through her. Jason was standing by the door, and she wanted to sob out her relief "Jason? Is it really you?"

For several heartbeats, he didn't move or speak. "Angel , Sir Douglas wants to know how you're feeling this morning."

His tone was offhand. His words were like a cold splash of reality hitting her in the face-reminding her exactly where the two of them were and why.

"I'm fine." She tipped her head to one side. "Last night was strange. I remember taking a shower, and then Bridget was going to do my hair. But I felt so woozy. I guess it was all too much."

Jason closed the door with his foot. He was dressed in dark slacks and a soft gray shirt. How long had he been up? And what time was it?

Their eyes locked as he crossed the room. " " But you were so sweet when you carried me to bed, " she said, her vision going misty as she remembered their have making "I aim to please." His eyes flicked away from her face as he crossed the carpet. "And so does Sir Douglas. He sent me to find out if you're up to a tour of the castle."

Noel sat up, pulling the covers up around her breasts. At least she'd drawn Jason's gaze back to herself. "I was fioping he'd offer." She was mildly surprised that the cqenched feeling in her chest didn't show in her voice. Jason had tried to tell her how it would be when they arq at the castle. She hadn't imagined it would be this bad. They couldn't really say what they wanted. No. It 'oras worse than that. His face was so blank and his voice qo impersonal that she didn't know what he was think Jason set the tray down across Noel's legs, then leaned q qd kissed the edge of her hair. She closed her eyes, qring the pressure of his cheek against hers, wanting ! q'ip his arm but keeping her hands on the coverlet.

He didn't move for several seconds. "You're fantastic" Like the night before, the words were so low she could barely hear.

Some of the tension eased out of her body. "Thanks for bringing me breakfast in bed. This is so luxurious: '

He stepped back and smiled, and she clung to the flicker of warmth. Then it was gone, and his voice turned impersonal again.

"Eat up. Then get dressed. I think you'll find everything you need in the dresser and the closet. Pick somq thing pretty."

"I can't wait to see what's there."

"I'm sure you can take some of your favorites home: '

Now it was she who couldn't meet his eyes. If she did, the fear and uncertainty were going to show. What were the odds of getting home?

NoEL H. q ExPEcrq Jason to join her and Sir Douglas. But only the Sovereign's cold, appraising eyes followed her progress down the stairs.

She gave him what she hoped was a warm smile. " " You look lovely in blue, my dear. " He gestured toward the graceful knit dress she'd chosen from the closet full of selections. It fit perfectly. No doubt they all would. " "Thank you: '

"I hope you're recovered from yesterday. I was woqried about you, lass: '

She repeated the same assurance she'd given Jasos "I'm fine. I guess the strain of those men attacking us was just too much: ' " let me take you around. I don't often get to show nqt domain to visitors: '

As Sir Douglas led her on a grand tour of his opulent home, Noel didn't have to pretend to gawk at marble and onyx-inlaid floors, gold-leaf Renaissance ceilings, medieval tapestries-or the stream that had been channeled underground from the mountains and now provided clear, clean water for the castle.

"This place is more self-sufficient than an ancient fortress under siege. We have food in the storerooms and freezers for more than a year. And the fresh water, of course. If we locked ourselves in the underground shelter , I'm sure we could even survive anything but a direct nuclear strike."

" You must believe in being prepared. "

"Vena true, lass," he said as he led her to his private , art gallery.

Even as he played the affable host, he kept springing questions on Noel that made her skin crawl. She knew he was testing her mental stability and the abilities of the chip that was supposedly in her head.

"Vena good," he murmured as she parroted back word for word the false memory of Jason's coming to Baltimore after the shooting. " " Do I get to see your computer center? " she asked as they stepped out of the art gallery.

The Sovereign stopped short and gave her a sharp look. " " How do you know about my computer center? "

"Why, weren't you and Jason talking about it when we arrived? At least, that's what I assumed. You said that all the special features in that house wh-where we were at =qacked are also in the castle. Aren't they run by a com " Quite right. But that part of the plant is off-limits to citors. " " Oh. "

"I do have something I think might interest you: '

She waited.

"Myjewelry collection. You are an expert in the field."

"I know a little," she replied modestly.

They had rounded a corner and Noel found that the route had taken them back to the main hall and that Jason was waiting for them. He had been leaning against the balustrade. As they approached, he straightened. "" Enjoy your tour? " he asked.

Noel wasn't sure whether the question was really for her, but she answered. "Oh, yes."

"I'm in need of a hostess for tomorrow afternoon " , Sir Douglas said. "I hope you won't mind my borrowing your wife."

Noel turned to him, hardly needing to feign surprise. "

" A hostess? "

"At a little auction I'm conducting among some business associates. You'llbe just the charming addition I was hoping to provide."Her gaze shot to Jason. He was looking determinedly in the other direction.Against her will, her eyes were drawn back to Sir Douglas. A smile flickered around his well-shaped lipsa smile that made her want to turn and run.

But there was nowhere in the maze of rooms she'd visited -or anywhere else in Castle Lockwood-where she could hide.

The Sovereign took her by the arm again. "Come along and have a look at my

strong room."Jason followed them down the hall to a stout metal door. The lock had acombination, which Sir Douglas quickly worked. Then he ushered them intowhat might have been a bank vault. Small locked doors lined the walls. A dark oak table and four chairs took up the oenter of the room. " " Pleasesit down : 'Noel and Jason sat.The Sovereign switched on bright overhead lights. Then he unlocked a drawer and brought out a wide bracelet studded with bloodred jewels.

"Antique garnets," she said.

"I see you know your stones. They match one of my favorite pieces."

He opened a small box, and Noel found herself staring at the locket that had

cost Cindy her life.

Chapter Fifteen.

Noel swallowed her gasp. She couldn't do much about the way the blood had

drained out of her face."Do you recognize the piece?" Sir Douglas asked."Isn't it just like the one.. . the one I lent to my friend?"" " Yes. The twin. I was sorry I never got the other one back. " He smiled at Noel. " It's been a long time. You have a good memory: '

"I'll never forget," Noel managed.

"But you never knew the name of the man who came in and saved you?"

"No."