Flame Tree Road (21 page)

After meeting Biren Roy, she had changed. Estelle, who had never given much thought to beautification, now wore a dress of jade silk with a low neckline and a creamy lace trim. With her hair pinned in soft curls and her shining brown eyes, she had never looked more radiant. She had even applied a touch of salve to her lips, Samuel noted.

As for the object of her affections, he was suave and conducted himself with restraint. His jacket was tasteful but shabby, obviously purchased secondhand; his shoes were scuffed, but despite his shortcomings in dress, he was a self-possessed young man. Samuel could see he cared for Estelle from his attentive eyes and the way his head bent forward when he talked to her, but it was clear he was the one in control.

It was disconcerting to notice that Estelle and Biren seemed to talk at cross-purposes. They each had their own agenda, it seemed. Biren clearly wished to return to India. He was part of a society of Cambridge Indians, he explained, who were formulating a plan to promote education for women in India. Estelle meanwhile tried to convince him that in order to influence Parliament, it was more advantageous for him to remain in England.

“Don’t you agree, Daddy?” she implored Samuel, her eyes pleading. “You have good connections in Parliament, don’t you?”

Samuel made reassuring sounds.

He could see what Estelle wanted, but he was unclear about Biren. It sounded like Biren had no plans to remain in Britain after completing his education. Where would that leave Estelle? She had obviously taken a shine to the young man. It was one thing to marry an Englishman and live the colonial life in India, but would it be the same if Estelle married an Indian? Samuel knew from having lived in India, a certain prejudice still existed. Even educated Indians were considered outsiders in British circles.

Samuel could not bear to see Estelle brokenhearted. Maybe this was a good time to send her and Catherine on an extended vacation to Europe. The change of scenery would get Estelle’s mind off Biren and, who knows, now that she was looking so charming, she might even attract a suitor or two. She would need some fine clothes, he decided, and made a note to increase her allowance.

I won’t always be around to take care of my baby girl
, Samuel thought, getting a little teary eyed.
I just want to see her happy. Nothing else matters to me at this stage of my life.

CHAPTER

32

Grantham Manor

30th October 1891

Dear Biren,

Daddy greatly enjoyed meeting you. He was pleased to hear you have been called to the bar at Lincoln Inn. You have impressed him greatly, Biren. He can be very critical of the young men of my generation. He says they have everything handed to them on a silver plate. Daddy was a coal miner’s son in Northumberland and he had to work his way up. I think he admires the same grit and determination in you.

I am not surprised you find living in London expensive. I told Daddy you were looking for a part-time job and he said he would be glad to recommend you for an underwriter’s position to Lloyd’s. He will be writing to you separately regarding this.

Very fondly yours,

Estelle

A few days later, Estelle danced into Samuel’s study flourishing a letter.

“Daddy!”

She did a little twirl, ran over and kissed the top of his head.

“Thank you, thank you! You are the best, most lovely father in the world!”

Samuel gave her a puzzled look. “And what has your old father done to deserve such rapturous praise?”

“Biren got the job at Lloyd’s. Oh, thank you, Daddy, for putting in a good word for him.” She read from the letter. “‘I am greatly indebted to your father for recommending me for this job. I will be writing to him shortly.’”

Estelle turned to her father with shining eyes. She frowned slightly, seeing the odd look on Samuel’s face. “What is the matter, Daddy? Are you not happy for me...I mean, Biren?”

Samuel quickly composed himself. “Why, of course, darling, I am pleased. He is a fine young man and he will do very well in life.”

Estelle smiled. “If he gets a good job, I know he will change his mind about going back to India. He may go for a visit to see his mother, but he’ll come back. I miss him so much, Daddy! I wish he did not have to live in London.” She touched the letter to her cheek. “Oh, I must write at once and congratulate him.” She whisked around and ran out of the study.

Samuel felt a twinge of concern.
She is so vulnerable in love
, he thought. The news of Biren’s job had indeed taken him by surprise. In fact, he had almost given himself away! It had been on the tip of his tongue to tell Estelle that he had played no role in getting Biren his job.

It was true Samuel had dropped by the Lloyd’s head office in Chancery Lane to speak to his college friend David Furst, the senior partner, about Biren, only to be told Furst had gone to the West Indies and would return after six weeks. He’d left the office intending to follow up.

Meanwhile it seemed Biren had applied for and got the job on his own steam. Getting a job at Lloyd’s without a recommendation was almost unheard of, and it spoke volumes for the young man.

Estelle could be right. The Lloyd’s job might change young Roy’s plans to resettle in India, but she would be foolish to pin all her hopes on him. Samuel still believed it would be in Estelle’s best interest to travel the world, broaden her horizons and meet other young men. She had once mentioned doing a language course at a private school in Switzerland. It was beginning to sound like a good idea. Samuel made a note to add Switzerland to their vacation itinerary.

CHAPTER

33

Calcutta

12th November 1893

Dear Biren,

I am now finally resettled in the homeland. Seven years in England is a long time and it has taken me a while to adjust to life in India.

You will be interested to know I have taken over the family publishing business and I am now the appointed editor of the
Bengal Star
, an English weekly newspaper. The paper struggled due to a lack of readership but I am happy to say it is picking up. My hope is to use the
Bengal Star
as a vehicle to influence public opinion. I was pleased to learn the paper found its way into British government circles. A few days ago I received a letter from George McCauley, the secretary of education, who praised the
Bengal Star
as reflecting the “intelligent and constructive opinion of educated Indians.” As you can see, our words are reaching the right ears.

I am eagerly looking forward to your return to India. These are exciting times in our country. The political climate is changing and many of us now dare to dream of a free India. Forging a new identity for our beloved nation is the topic of much discussion within our group. You will meet them all when you are here.

I understand your first concern is to find gainful employment. I have spoken to my uncle, the judge, and he is keen to talk to you about a barrister’s position with his law firm. I also imagine you must be anxious to see your mother after all these years. I have been in touch with your brother, Nitin, as you know. The medical college is very close to my house and Nitin often drops by. I was happy to learn from him your mother is doing well. It is always nice to see Nitin. He is a fine young man and turning out to be an excellent doctor.

Yours ever affectionately,

Samaresh Bannerjee

Calcutta

7th December 1893

Dear Biren,

From the dates you have given, I see your ship docks in Calcutta on a Thursday, the steamboat for Sylhet leaves on the following Wednesday, which will give us a little under a week together. Please consider staying an extra week. I am keen for you to meet several people and to finalize our proposal to the education secretary, George McCauley.

Your article on female education was much discussed within our group. It was reprinted in the
Bengal Star
, and many readers have written back with their comments. The members of our association have conceded to your idea of using English as the medium for education. The proposal has a much better chance of gaining government approval this way, especially since you put forward your arguments so eloquently. You may be interested to know the government has substantial funds earmarked for educational programs in India, which makes me hopeful our proposal will pass.

I will be honored if you stay as our guest at our family home in North Calcutta. This is really the most pleasant time of the year in the city.

Best wishes,

Samaresh Bannerjee

CHAPTER

34

Estelle went on an extended vacation to Europe. Biren received postcards from Rome, Milan, Brussels and Geneva. She was briefly in England for three weeks before she left to study at a private school in Switzerland. They kept in touch intermittently through letters. Whenever Estelle was in London, they made plans to meet but somehow the plans fell through. It was mostly Biren’s fault. Between his work at Lloyd’s and Lincoln Inn, he barely had enough hours in a day to eat and sleep. A few weeks earlier he had written to tell her he had finalized his plans to go back to India. After a prolonged silence, Estelle wrote back expressing her regret. Her letter was cryptic but Biren could sense the dark holes between her words.

He wanted to talk to her in person and explain things. When Estelle returned from Geneva he invited her to dinner at the Lamb and Castle, a well-known pub of Central London. It had rained all day. The streets were filthy from the splatter of carriage wheels. Darkness had fallen early and the pollarded planes lining the streets looked ghostly in the yellow glow of the gas lamps.

Biren hardly recognized Estelle. She swept in wearing a steel-gray ensemble with a silver ribbed trim; her hat looked like a tin can trailing ostrich feathers. She seemed sharper, more brittle, than he remembered her. Biren must have looked different, too, in his formal work suit and his newly trimmed beard. There they were, two strangers meeting after almost a year in a crowded London pub, seated next to table of loud drunks. The old connection between them was lost, and their conversation lapsed into uneasy small talk. The subject of Biren leaving for India sat between them like a moat while they each waited for the other to let the drawbridge of communication down.

“I really don’t understand you, Biren,” Estelle blurted out finally. “Why would you want go back to India—when you have a future in England?”