Monsoon Mists (32 page)

He left the room after a last glance at Elisabet, and went downstairs in search of
snaps
. He didn’t normally resort to drink in times of trouble, but he needed it tonight. And he couldn’t bear to stay here and watch her die. Although he’d wished her ill, he couldn’t quite bring himself to be that vindictive.

‘And she died that night?’ Zar felt her own heart beating too fast, appalled by Jamie’s sad tale.

‘Yes. I didn’t speak to her again.’

‘But the child lived?’ Zar found her emotions focusing on the little dark-haired scrap named Margot by a man who didn’t want her. All her latent maternal instincts surfaced in a rush.
I want her! I’ll care for her.
But that wasn’t possible because it would mean she’d have to marry Jamie first. And even if she did, he wouldn’t take her to Sweden, she was sure. Little Margot would never even know she had a stepmother.

‘Yes, she’s doing well. I left her with my mother when I went to India so she’s being cared for.’

‘That’s good.’ She didn’t dare voice the true extent of her feelings when hearing about the little girl. Somehow she sensed Jamie wasn’t ready to talk about his responsibilities with regard to the child. ‘What about your brother? Did he forgive you?’

‘Yes, eventually. I haven’t seen him since it happened, but I sent him a letter and he replied. He said he understood and that actually I’d done him a favour because I made him see Elisabet’s true colours.’ Jamie smiled. ‘He found love with some other woman in Scotland apparently, one who was everything Elisabet wasn’t – honest, brave and loyal.’ He shrugged. ‘So it worked out well for him.’

‘But not for you.’ Zar felt for him but was pleased at least the quarrel with his brother had been cleared up.

‘Do you think badly of me?’ Jamie’s voice sounded strained and, for once, unsure.

Zar struggled to keep her tone even. ‘No. You were wronged and I think you did the best you could in the circumstances. I hope you will one day be able to forget about it, the way I’m learning to put my memories of Francis out of my mind. Such thoughts are destructive, if we allow them to be, I can see that now. But it takes time. I don’t believe it happens over night.’

Jamie sent her a sad smile across the table and nodded. ‘You are a very wise woman, Zarmina. I wish I’d met you first.’

So did she.

Chapter Twenty-Four

‘Cover yourself with this blanket and let us go. It should protect you from the worst of the rain showers.’ Jamie handed Zar a blanket, which his servant had procured. There was one for him as well, and a pair of Arabian horses he’d paid through the nose for.

They set off early in the morning and rode steadily throughout the day, stopping only a few times to give the horses and themselves a break. Zar had agreed it was best they posed as Hindus, so they were both dressed in native clothing. Jamie’s skin had tanned even more while out in the boat for so long, and with his hair covered in a turban and the beginnings of a moustache, as well as a lot of stubble, he was able to pass muster.

‘Although my Hindi is fairly fluent, it’s better if you do the talking in Gujarati,’ Jamie told Zar. ‘Pretend I have a sore throat or something. I think that’s safer.’ She’d agreed.

The rain came and went in massive rain showers where the wind blew the raindrops into misty clouds that came at them sideways, spooking the horses. Jamie was sure he’d never been this wet before, except for that night in the boat, and began to wonder if he’d ever be dry again. The roads turned into muddy rivers, the horses’ and riders’ legs splattered with mire. The heavy showers were interspersed with blazing sunshine, which made for uncomfortable levels of humidity. But neither of them complained as it was just something that had to be endured.

Jamie was on guard the entire journey, scanning the countryside around them for possible danger. All travellers had to keep an eye out for bandits, who could appear at any time, and he’d brought pistols and a sword and dagger, just in case. If a group of brigands ambushed them, however, Jamie doubted they’d have a chance. He prayed the weather would keep such men away.

In a little village they found a
sarai
, a type of small hostelry, to spend the night in. It was none too clean, but at least it was dry and the horses were able to rest under a roof of sorts as well.

‘Stay next to me at all times,’ Jamie warned Zar sotto voce. ‘It’s safest if they think you’re my wife.’

‘I suppose so.’

The grudging response made Jamie realise it was time to put his plan into action. He’d decided to try and woo Zar in any way he could in order to make her change her mind about marrying him. Now was as good a time as any to begin.

‘You didn’t mind sleeping in my arms on Juhu,’ he reminded her, putting a proprietary arm round her waist, ostensibly for the benefit of any onlookers, but really to test her response to his proximity.

She stiffened slightly, but stayed put. ‘That was … different.’

‘In what way?’

‘We’d just been through a shocking experience. We weren’t thinking clearly. Or I wasn’t anyway.’

‘You seemed fairly lucid to me.’ He gave her a lazy smile and nuzzled her ear.

‘Please don’t remind me. And could you stop that?’

‘I’m only acting the lovesick husband. We have an audience.’ They were sitting in a shabby room with other travellers and although no one was looking directly at them, they were bound to be watching surreptitiously. There was nothing else to do, after all, except eat the unappetising meal. ‘Don’t you want someone to adore you?’ he teased.

‘No. I could never be sure it was my person they adored, rather than my fortune.’

‘You could with me. I told you, I’m already rich and money isn’t important to me.’ Jamie wasn’t sure how to persuade her on this point. Her previous experiences had obviously tainted her views on prospective husbands and this was a massive hindrance. ‘Shall I tell you what matters more?’

‘If you wish.’ He’d kept his arm around her waist, and she was still stiff, but he sensed a slight unbending as though he’d piqued her curiosity.

‘Family. Happiness. Loyalty. Friendship. Those are the things I value. And honesty.’

She glanced at him from under those lovely long lashes and gave him a measuring look. ‘That’s all?’

‘All? Sounds like quite a lot to me. It’s not often you find someone who can give you all those things.’

‘I don’t think such a paragon exists.’

‘I’m holding one.’ He kissed her cheek and pulled her closer, but while she didn’t resist, she didn’t quite unbend either.

‘Now you’re just teasing me.’

He sighed. What would it take for her to believe him?

Zar hoped that Jamie couldn’t feel the rapid beating of her heart. Sitting so close to him, one of his strong arms around her, it was extremely tempting to just give in. Live for the moment. Make love to him again in the tiny room they were allotted for the night.

That was obviously what he was hoping for.

But she had the future to think of and she didn’t believe he’d want her for any length of time. He’d soon tire of bedding her and then what? Misery. Loneliness.

As she lay down next to him, however, she had to use all her determination not to turn around and roll into his arms. It was extremely tempting.
He
was so tempting and she wanted him so badly. If only she could be sure he’d stay with her forever.

‘Let us hope it doesn’t take too long to reach Surat,’ Jamie muttered the following morning. ‘I don’t think my back can take sleeping on such rough surfaces for too many nights!’

He was feeling grumpy because his charm offensive wasn’t having any effect whatsoever. Zar had slept next to him, but with a careful space between them. Did she really regret their lovemaking that much?

But perhaps she was just worried about the immediate future and who knew what awaited them at their destination?

They arrived in Surat a few days later, just before the city gates were closed for the night, and were able to make their way to Jamie’s rented house without meeting anyone they knew. A suspicious Kamal opened the door and took a moment to realise who was outside. When he did, his eyebrows rose almost to his hairline, then his face broke into a huge smile.

‘Kinross
sahib
! Come in, come in. We thought you gone! Maybe even …’ He shook his head. ‘We have been so worried.’

He didn’t have a chance to say more as a bundle of fur came hurtling round a corner and jumped around Jamie, barking and yapping excitedly. Jamie bent to pick Kutaro up and hugged him close, unexpectedly touched at such a rapturous welcome. He allowed the dog to lick his chin while he scratched him behind the ears.

‘Hello, you little rascal. I’m pleased to see you too.’

‘Jamie! And
Sahiba
Miller!’

Roshani wasn’t far behind her pet and flung herself at the pair of them at once, her skinny arms holding the three of them together. Jamie and Zar both bent to hug the little girl back and their eyes met over her head. They smiled at each other, while Roshani bombarded them with questions.

‘Where you be? Why so long? Where bad man? You go on ship?’ Her curiosity knew no bounds and Jamie let Zar calm her down and answer in Gujarati, while he gave Kamal a shortened version of their adventures. Then Soraya arrived from the kitchen, wondering what all the commotion was about and had to be told as well. It was quite a while before all explanations had been given and everyone settled down.

‘We’ve been travelling for days. Please can you organise some water to wash with for me and my wife, Kamal?’

‘You wife?’ Roshani, ever quick to pick up on things, looked from one to the other. When Jamie nodded, she grinned from ear to ear and jumped up and down. ‘I knowed it! I see you look at
Sahiba
Miller—’

‘Mrs Kinross now, actually.’

‘Yes, yes, Mrs Kinross, and she look back. I knowed!’

‘You knew, did you? I don’t know about that, since I didn’t,’ Jamie muttered, but he shot Zar an amused glance. Zar looked slightly awkward as she’d only agreed reluctantly to tell this lie at first, but if William was to believe them married, they had to pretend to everyone else too for a while. She managed a smile for the little girl.

‘I’m glad you’re pleased, Roshani,’ she said. ‘It’s, er … all a bit new to us as yet.’

Kamal and Soraya both bowed and beamed at Zarmina. ‘
Sahiba
.’ Kamal spoke for both of them. ‘We wish you very happy.’

‘Thank you,’ she replied, returning their smiles, but Jamie thought her answer sounded slightly muted. He hoped she could keep up the pretence for as long as it was necessary, but she obviously wasn’t comfortable with that notion.

Before heading to his bedroom, Kamal took him aside to whisper, ‘You have a visitor. The man you said would come is here.’

‘Sanjiv?’ Kamal nodded. ‘Oh, excellent. Where is he?’

‘I have put him in the corner room at the back. He has stayed there for two days.’ Kamal shrugged. ‘Didn’t know what to do.’

Jamie clapped him on the back. ‘You did well. Please go and tell him I’ll see him as soon as I’m clean. Ask him to join us for a meal in an hour.’

‘It will be as you wish,
sahib
.’

Roshani wouldn’t leave Zar’s side, so Jamie shrugged and directed Soraya to take her to the room next to his. ‘I will see you both downstairs as soon as you’re ready,’ he added before disappearing through his door.

Zar felt a bit awkward having to ask Soraya to lend her some clothing, but the woman was all smiles and seemed to think nothing of it. Soon she’d brought new garments, hot water to wash with and some lovely scented soap. Zar hurried to wash herself piecemeal with a wet cloth, while Roshani chattered away in Gujarati about how she’d been fretting ever since Jamie left.

‘I was so scared!’ she told Zar, her brown eyes wide to show how distressed she’d been. ‘But I knew Jamie would come back. He promised.’

Zar wondered how he could have promised any such thing when he hadn’t known what would happen, but guessed at the time he didn’t want to worry Roshani. It was fortunate that he’d been able to keep his word and not disillusion the girl.

‘Now you are here, all is well, yes?’

‘I’m not sure. We still have a few problems, sweetheart, but hopefully all will be well. Now come, I believe Jamie is waiting for us. And I, for one, am starving.’

That was obviously a sentiment the little girl understood perfectly. ‘Me too,’ she declared, even though Zar was sure she’d have eaten her evening meal already. She had to smile. Oh, to be so young and innocent again.

‘Sanjiv, it’s good to see you! Any problems?’

Jamie had arrived downstairs first and greeted Akash’s brother with a big smile, which was reciprocated. They spoke in Hindi as they’d done in Madras.

‘That depends on what you mean by problems. Everything went well in Madras. I waited until Meera and the children were returned safely, then I left.’

‘So the thieves kept their word then? Thank God for that!’

‘Indeed. Akash was ecstatic and I’m sure he’s taken precautions so that they can never be taken hostage again.’

‘That’s very good news. And your journey?’

‘Well, no one seemed to be following me, but it took longer than I thought as I decided to go by ship the last part. Unfortunately the weather turned bad, so I ended up almost shipwrecked and then I had to continue on foot, just to make sure I could get here.’

‘What about the snake? Did everyone believe you to be a snake-charmer?’

‘Of course! I told you, my friend showed me what to do and I liked the serpent. In fact,’ Sanjiv looked vaguely embarrassed, ‘I … er, let him go. You know, into the wild. He had done his job and I had no more need of him.’

Jamie laughed. ‘Excellent. I would have done the same.’

‘Really?’ Sanjiv seemed relieved to hear that.

‘Absolutely. But to be serious, we should have taken the monsoon into account more, I think. Still, you’re here now and we need to make plans. I take it you have the talisman?’

‘Yes, here it is. I’d rather you keep it from now on.’ Sanjiv handed Jamie the bundle containing the jewel and he stowed it in his sash next to the fake one.