Page 54 of The Girl from the Tea Garden
Adela hesitated, not wanting to get embroiled in Gulgat politics.
‘If you persuaded Sophie, then she would persuade her adoring husband.’ There was still an edge to his voice.
‘Well, if you think it would do any good.’
Abruptly he smiled. ‘Of course it would. Two beautiful goddesses could bewitch Rafi and change his mind, I know it.’
Adela laughed. How quickly he could switch from belligerence to utter charm. She studied his profile as he turned to look at the sunrise. His skin was as light as hers and his sculpted features– the straight nose and high cheekbones– were perfect. With his long, dark lashes, Sanjay was almost beautiful; she could look at him for hours. She wasn’t in love with him, but he stirred her physically.
Above the canopy of deodars, the light was turning the distant mountain peaks marigold orange. Soon they would be hidden in haze. That way lay Narkanda and Sam. Adela felt a sharp pang for the elusive man. Why did she have to fall in love with such a hopeless case? Sam could be passionate and impulsive yet funny and down to earth; appearances and possessions meant nothing to him, only the welfare of others did. He would be happy to stay in the hills for ever and probably hadn’t given her a second thought since she’d left. Out of sight and out of mind; she was sure that Sam only lived in the moment.
On the other hand, Adela was quite sure that every thought and gesture of Sanjay’s was calculated. He took great pride in his appearance; for all his protesting that he preferred to lounge in cricket whites, he was always immaculately dressed and manicured. He planned things down to the last detail, but made them look effortless, such as this morning ride. She knew from the looks he gave her and the attention he lavished on her that he desired her. It would be so very easy to give into his seductive charm.
‘I know what you’re thinking.’ Sanjay turned to her suddenly.
‘Oh?’ Adela blushed.
‘That you would like to dine with me after the show finishes on Saturday night.’
Adela laughed with relief. ‘Well, there’ll be the after-show party at The Chalet ...’
‘I thought Wildflower Hall would be nice.’
‘Wildflower Hall?’ Adela gasped. ‘I’ve only ever been when Rafi and Sophie visited and they treated me to Sunday lunch there.’
‘This will be better,’ declared Sanjay. ‘And perhaps afterwards you would like to spend a few days at Eagle’s Nest relaxing after the show is over. We can go to the Sipi Fair.It’s always good for amusement– all that wife-swapping that the coolies do.’
Adela’s stomach tightened in excitement. She and Fluffy had been entertained to dinner at the Raja of Gulgat’s villa beyond Mashobra, but never stayed over.
‘And Auntie can come too?’
He hesitated for just a heartbeat, then said, ‘Naturally MrsHogg is invited.’
‘That would be lovely, thank you, Your Highness.’
‘Please’ – Sanjay stretched out a hand and clasped her arm – ‘you really must start calling me Jay. I think we know each other well enough by now.’
‘Jay,’ Adela said and smiled. ‘Let’s go and tell Auntie now. She’ll be expecting you forchota hazri.’
Jay rolled his eyes. ‘Porridge and devilled kidneys. The things I do for my sweet English rose,’ he teased.
Fluffy was captivated by the idea of a few days at Eagle’s Nest. Fatima was more critical.
‘We hardly ever see you at the hospital these days.’ Fatima eyed her. ‘You spend so much time with Prince Sanjay.’
It was the first time Adela had been back to the doctor’s flat since she had found Ghulam hiding there. She had just called in to make sure Fatima was going to come to the show.
‘The play has been taking up most of my time,’ Adela replied, avoiding her look and glancing out of the window as if something had caught her interest. A woman was spreading out washing on a roof to dry. ‘I’m sorry. I’ll have more time once it’s over.’
‘Not if you are going to spend it at Eagle’s Nest.’
‘That’s just for a day or two.’
‘I’m surprised at you wanting to spend time with a man like that.’ Fatima was blunt.
‘Like what?’ Adela bristled.
‘One that spends his time in gambling and indulgence and keeping company with autocrats like the Raja of Nerikot, who cares nothing for ordinary people.’ Fatima was disdainful. ‘My brother Ghulam would be rotting in his palace prison if it hadn’t been for Sam Jackman.’
