Chapter 2 #2
“A fortnight most likely.” Rob hated thinking they would lose any opportunity to see the sisters during that time.
A glimmer of hope rested within his heart that perhaps Surat would respect him enough to consider allowing him to court Suniti.
Rob didn’t intend to return to England. He’d decided to remain in India before he stepped foot on the subcontinent.
He was glad to escape his domineering father.
He missed his mother and brother, but nothing else about Powderham.
He would gladly never see that pile of bricks again.
He knew Theo and Will didn’t feel as he did.
They counted down the years before they returned home.
They didn’t regret joining the Company or coming to India, but they never intended to make it their home.
“Plenty of time to learn.” Surat held out his hand to each man before they left.
“A fortnight might as well be an eternity,” Will grumbled as they left the palace. “More fool am I to think the Maharaja would allow me near his daughter, but I can’t help but wish.”
“You and me both, my friend.” Theo’s voice held a wistfulness they all felt.
“I don’t know what it is about Vinita. I saw her once before, but it’s like she’s wrapped a rope around me, and I’m praying she will pull me closer.
I’ve never been so moved as when I saw her with those children today. Her compassion radiated from her.”
“Whatever Suniti said to each merchant made them laugh. She seemed to brighten everyone’s day.
It was as though the sun shone from her face when she smiled.
She greeted everyone by name, and I could tell she made each person feel like they were the only one in the world when she focused on them.
” Rob spent the time observing, wishing that she might gift him with that smile one day.
He would gladly make her the center of his world. If only she would do the same with him.
“Sarla is shrewd. I couldn’t understand a word she and the merchant said, but I could tell she outwitted him at least thrice.
His expression showed it. She didn’t gloat, but it was clear her success satisfied her.
At the end, the man nodded and smiled. There were no hard feelings between them.
When it was business, it was business. When that was done, they appeared like lifelong friends.
She could likely run my family’s estate better than my father.
Who knows what shambles it shall be in when I return? ”
Each man left England for his own reason, but each one centered on their family and a desire to escape. As they considered the unique woman who intrigued each of them, a family no longer seemed so onerous. But would it even matter?
“Maan, you are making something out of nothing. We met them in the market today while they ordered some things from Amrit. They were polite, then went on their way.” Suniti sat on the end of her bed as she pulled her braid loose.
Chandra followed her daughters into their room, a scowl marring her ageless face.
“That is not what Amrit, nor your guards, said.”
“What did they say, Maan?” Sarla attempted to keep the snideness from her voice, but she suspected she failed when her mother glared at her.
“That you shamelessly flirted with those men. If I’d known they were the same as the ones who appeared for dinner, I would have insisted your father cancel. They were like lovesick puppies the entire evening. Disgusting and shameful.”
Nothing Chandra said dissuaded her daughters. Just the opposite. Could it be true that the men were as interested as they were? Could they reciprocate their feelings?
“We wished to represent you and Baba well. We didn’t want to cause any trouble with the Company.
We were polite and welcoming, but nothing improper.
We behaved just as you’ve taught us.” Vinita assured her mother while keeping her thoughts to herself.
And I didn’t mind that they watched us. It gave us as much time to observe them as it did them to observe us.
They may not have realized it, but they were hardly as subtle as they thought.
We all noticed them. Perhaps that’s what the guards tittle-tattled about.
“Stay away from them. You know your baba has plans for each of you. Nothing will come of this except a scandal.” Chandra didn’t wait for her daughters’ responses. She turned on her heel before pulling the door shut with a click.
Suniti crept to it and put her ear against it.
She waited a couple minutes while her sisters continued to prepare for bed.
She opened the door a crack and peered in both directions.
Satisfied that no one would eavesdrop, she sat on Sarla’s bed, where her two sisters sat while Sarla brushed Vinita’s hair.
They’d sat in a circle for years, each brushing the hair of the person in front of them.
“That was the longest meal we’ve ever had. There were so many times I wanted to chime it, but I had to bite my tongue. I had so many questions for Theo.” Vinita sighed, the missed opportunity saddening her.
“I felt the same way. I think Will wanted to talk to me, but he didn’t dare. He looked like he was about to say something to me several times but thought better of it.” Sarla closed her eyes, but it didn’t shut out the disappointment.
“Rob’s foot bumped mine twice under the table.
I’d hoped the first time that it was a sign.
But I realized the second time that his legs were too long to remain on his side.
Talk about disappointment. It tempted me to brush his foot, but I never could.
” Realizing both times had been an accident dashed Suniti’s hopes.
He hadn’t even glanced at her when it happened.
“Can you imagine Maan and Baba’s reaction if we did? Scandal is right. Baba would run them through with his sword before putting a bullet between their eyes.” Vinita handed Suniti’s brush to her before climbing off the bed.
“I don’t care. If Rob wishes to see me again, I will make it work. I want to know if this is all in my imagination or whether it might be more.”
“It won’t matter what it is, Suni. They will never allow it.
You heard Maan. They have plans for us already.
” Vinita loathed the man Surat suggested.
She fought adamantly against the match, but she knew it made no difference.
Marrying the Maharaja of Jodhpur’s son would end the decades-long strife.
At least that’s what the two princes hoped.
It would take longer to convince the people of both provinces to set aside their animosity.
“Plans can change. We meant to go to the market yesterday, but it rained.” Sarla was resolute as she pulled the bug netting around her bed.
Their chamber was large enough for them to each have a bed.
They’d shared the room for as long as they could remember.
For years, they’d loathed the idea of being apart once they married.
That night, lurid scenes involving her and her preferred Englishman filled each woman’s dreams. None of them would have minded the privacy of their own room if those dreams could come true.