For two days Adela relaxed, ate and slept deeply, playing the occasional game of tennis with Jay on a lawned court and taking short walks through the forest with Fluffy. The day before the Sipi Fair, the Raja of Nerikot arrived to stay with his entourage. They had a long dinner, with the conversation turning to local unrest.
‘Glad to get out of Nerikot to tell you the truth,’ he said to Sanjay. ‘Wretched Mandalists are stirring things up again.’
‘Surely you will have to give up on the practice of bonded labour, won’t you?’ Fluffy challenged. ‘It’s happening in other hill states already.’
‘Perhaps.’ The Raja shrugged, seemingly at a loss.
‘Can’t have anarchy though,’ Sanjay said. ‘You have to keep a tight rein on your people – let them know who’s in charge.’
‘Yes,’ agreed the Raja, feeling encouraged. ‘I won’t be dictated to by rabble-rousers. But how do you control things when these agitators from outside stir up the crowds? Sometimes I don’t feel my family are safe at the palace.’
‘Surely it’s not that bad,’ said Adela. ‘They don’t mean you any harm – they just want a bit of democracy.’
‘What do you know about such things?’ Jay gave her a curious look.
‘Just from what I’ve read,’ Adela said quickly.
‘Well, it doesn’t concern the British.’ He gave a tight smile. ‘The princely states will do things our own way and in our own time.’ He turned to his friend. ‘If your family are threatened, then you have every right to defend them. If I can be of any help, just say the word.’
Adela felt uneasy; was Jay inciting his friend to retaliate with violence? The subject was left unresolved as they turned to talk of the Sipi Fair.
‘It’s always a jolly affair,’ the Raja said, grinning, ‘all that wife-swapping.’
‘I find it rather distasteful,’ said Fluffy, ‘to think young women can be sold off like that.’
Sanjay gave an indulgent laugh. ‘Is it so very different from the British upper class, who sell off their daughters for titles and big houses?’
‘Quite different,’ Fluffy declared. ‘Upper-class girls have a say in who they marry; these native girls are bartered like sheep.’
‘It just speeds up the transaction of marriage,’ Sanjay said. ‘The coolies living away in the towns have no time to go home and find themselves wives.’
‘But the girls have no say in it,’ said Adela. ‘When I marry, it will be for love.’
‘What a romantic you are.’ Jay smiled. ‘That’s what comes of watching too many Hollywood films at The Rivoli.’
‘No, it’s from seeing how happy my parents are. My father says he’s as in love with Mother as the day they first met. And then there’s Auntie Sophie and Rafi – they’re so happy together.’
Jay pulled a face. ‘I wonder. Rafi Khan’s family will have nothing to do with him. It puts a strain on a marriage if the families are not in agreement.’
‘His sister Fatima and brother Ghulam haven’t turned their backs on him.’
‘Ghulam Khan the radical?’ the Raja interjected.
‘Well, yes—’
‘You know him?’
Adela flushed. ‘I know of him.’
Fluffy said, ‘I’m afraid that was my fault. I went to hear him speak at the Pledge Day rally and Adela came along to keep an eye on me. Unfortunately it ended in scuffles.’
‘Of course it would,’ snorted the Raja. ‘They are hooligans who shouldn’t be allowed on our streets.’
‘You should take more care, ladies.’ Jay frowned in concern. ‘Don’t involve yourselves in communist propaganda. These are bad men intent on removing the British by force as well as overthrowing the princely states.’
Adela thought of Ghulam. He wasn’t a bad man, but he was an impatient one. She recalled the way he had challenged her to look beyond her cosy world in Simla, how he was working eagerly for a free India without barriers of class or religious interference. Could he be a danger to them all if he was thwarted in his goal? If so, should she warn the Raja and Jay about him? But to do so would be a betrayal of Fatima and be bound to get her friend into trouble. She just hoped that the latest unrest in the hills died down and that Ghulam took his campaigning elsewhere.
She wished she could talk it over with Sam; he would have a sensible view on it all. Thinking of him made her wonder if he would travel down from Narkanda to the fair. She felt a gnawing longing for Sam. How awful it would be if she never saw him before she sailed for Britain in July.
Fluffy retired to bed. The moon was full, and Jay suggested an evening stroll in the garden. The Raja declined. Together, Jay and Adela walked down the path as a night mist stole up from the valley, looking like a silver sea in the moonlight. Ghostly light filtered through the trees, making bright patterns on the path. The air was heavy with the scent of golden champa. Reaching a garden seat set under an arch of overhanging flowering creepers, Jay indicated they should sit.
‘You were quiet at dinner. What is on your mind?’ he asked.
‘Nothing really.’
‘You mustn’t worry about all this local politics.’
‘Is the Raja’s family really in danger?’
‘He can take care of them. And I can take care of you and your guardian. You are safe from any harm here; I’ll make sure of that.’
‘I don’t worry for myself.’
‘What a remarkable girl you are.’
He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed her fingers with a kiss. Adela felt a delicious frisson all over. She looked into his handsome face, chiselled in the moonlight, and saw the desire in his dark eyes. Her heart began a slow thudding. He leant closer and ran a finger from her brow down her cheek, pushing stray hair behind her ear. He hardly touched her, but it set off tiny shocks like electricity in her chest and the pit of her stomach. He traced the pad of his finger across her throat and collarbone, brushing the back of his hand against her breast.
She couldn’t help a sigh escape her parted lips. Jay tilted her chin and kissed her, a soft exploratory kiss that tickled her lips. She knew she shouldn’t encourage it, but there was something hypnotic about their secret scented bower, the ethereal light and the pulsing sound of night insects that seemed to suspend them in the moment. It was like a romantic scene from a film. So when he pulled her closer and kissed her with more force, she responded, their mouths opening, tasting, exploring each other.
‘You are quite beautiful, my English rose,’ he murmured, kissing his way across her face, nibbling her ear. ‘Can I come to your room tonight?’
Adela pulled back. This was going too fast.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean offence. I just thought . . .’
Adela gulped. ‘I’m not offended, but I’m not ready . . .’
‘I understand.’ He smiled. ‘You are too irresistible on such a night. But for you, Adela, I will be patient.’
She felt overwhelmed with mixed emotions: desire, trepidation, disloyalty to Sam, whom she loved, yet excitement at being wanted by this powerful, handsome prince, who ought to be far beyond her reach.
‘What do I mean to you, Jay?’ she asked. ‘I need to know.’
‘You are as desirable as the stars in the sky,’ he said. ‘I fell in love with you the moment I saw you in the dressing room in your underclothes. It’s an image I can’t get out of my head.’ He gave a sensual smile.
Adela gave a laugh of embarrassment. He was teasing her, and it helped break the spell.
‘I’m a virgin,’ she said, ‘which must be obvious to a man of the world like you. But the man I give myself to will be the man I marry. It can’t be any other way.’
His eyes widened at her boldness. For a moment he was at a loss for words.
‘Marry me then, Adela Robson,’ he said impulsively. ‘Come and live with me at Gulgat, or we can go to the South of France or London or wherever you want.’
‘Marry you? Now you are teasing me!’
&n
bsp; ‘I mean it.’
‘Surely you have a wife chosen for you already,’ she challenged.
‘I can do what I want,’ he retorted. ‘My uncle Kishan married that woman from Bombay. We’re in a changing world.’
‘I’d never be acceptable to your family, Jay.’ She laughed in disbelief.
‘Why not?’ He seized her hand. ‘I can make you the Rani of Gulgat. With you at my side, even Rafi Khan couldn’t object to my becoming the next Raja, could he?’
‘And your mother and grandmother?’
‘They will do anything to make me happy,’ Jay declared.
Adela pulled away. ‘I can’t deny I’m attracted to you – flattered by your words – but what you say is impossible.’
But the more she set up obstacles, the keener he seemed to be on the whole fantastical idea.
‘At least think about it,’ pleaded Jay. ‘I want you, Adela. I’ve never wanted anyone as much.’
That night Adela hardly slept, tossing in her feather bed, disturbed by memories of Jay’s thrilling touches and kisses, wondering if anything he said could be taken as true. Deborah had warned her about Jay’s reputation for falling in and out of love with women. Fatima had been filled with worry about her getting involved with someone of Jay’s status. So why did she allow herself to be tempted by his sweet words? Was it because being chosen by Jay would bury for ever her feelings of inferiority to the Ninas and Margies of this world? As wife of an Indian nobleman, her parentage would never matter again. And women married across the racial barrier – Sophie had shown how it could work.
How shallow and pathetic she was! She didn’t love him. She would only be using him to win herself status, security and a ticket to the world. Falling asleep finally as the dawn crept in at the cracks between the curtains, Adela woke exhausted but with sudden clarity. She would resist Jay’s advances, return to Simla after the fair and throw her energies once more into helping Fatima at the hospital.
Sam’s temples pounded like tom-toms. He had gone on a drinking binge – he wasn’t sure for how many days – until Fatima and Sundar had found him wandering confused around Sanjauli. He had a vague memory of trying to find the old dairy where he had helped out in his school days, when he had still had hopes of working for the Agriculture Department. He had been swamped in a tidal wave of remorse for causing them worry and for falling so easily off the temperance wagon.
If Hunt or – God forbid – his mentor, Dr Black, ever got to hear of it, he would probably be dismissed from the mission. How often had he heard his fellow missionary fulminate against excessive drinking and opium smoking among some of the natives? Hunt had been offended by Sam’s suggestion that often the porters and coolies took opium to deaden their hunger and help them through long days of gruelling marching and carrying.
But he, Sam, had no such excuse. He had allowed anger and despair to overwhelm him simply at seeing Adela enjoying the sumptuous surroundings of Wildflower Hall and the attentions of Prince Sanjay. When he had sobered up, he had been profuse in his apologies to his long-suffering friends. He would head straight back to Narkanda. Sundar had clapped him on the back like an indulgent uncle.
‘Let’s enjoy a day out at the Sipi Fair, Jackman; then you can run for the hills,’ he had said and laughed.
Sam had agreed. They set off along the road to Mashobra, joining the crowds of holidaymakers heading for the forest glade at Sipi and jumping aside for cars full of British residents going to watch the spectacle too. The sun was bright and the sky cloudless; Sam was glad he wore dark glasses. As they drew near, his head began to pound in time to the noise of the drums and horns of local bands.
A temporary camp of tents and awnings had been erected under the trees; the air was filled with woodsmoke and the smell of pots bubbling with spicy stews. Pans sizzled as cooks dropped balls of dough into hot smoking oil, transformed in seconds into puffs of puri like magic balloons.
Fire-eaters and jugglers entertained the crowds, and children ran squealing from Tibetan dancers dressed up in hideous masks. The hill women sat apart on a grassy slope, dressed up in their finest clothes, bedecked in glinting silver necklaces, bangles and earrings, heavy with jewels, their delicate noses pierced with huge hooped rings. When the sun struck, they dazzled the eye, their chatter excited as they surveyed the scene and passed ribald comments on the British come to gawp at them.
Sam chain-smoked, trying to throw off his edgy mood; usually he enjoyed the fair, but this year he detected an excited tension about the place. Perhaps it was nothing and it was just his own nerves that were jangling.
‘Come, Jackman,’ Sundar said jovially, ‘let’s go and inspect the ponies. Then you can help me choose a shawl for Fatima. She never spends anything on herself.’
Sam followed obediently and they jostled through the crowds. The British were picnicking on a slope adjacent to the hill women with a good view over the proceedings. They were being attended to by dozens of servants, cooking and serving food and drink. The smells made him nauseous. It was then that he spotted Ghulam. He was dressed in a white tunic and a Congress cap, with no attempt to blend in among the hill people. He was moving towards the women’s section. Sam couldn’t believe Ghulam would risk being seen so publicly at a country fair. This was no political rally. Unless he was going to turn it into one, Sam thought grimly. He was startled by Sundar’s sudden cry.
‘Look, there’s Adela and Mrs Hogg.’
Adela was sitting on a camping chair, slim legs crossed, wearing a summer frock of bold orange flowers and a topee, chatting animatedly with Fluffy. Sundar called out. Adela turned, waved and jumped out of her chair. Sam was torn between excitement at seeing her and trying to keep an eye on Ghulam.
Adela beckoned them over.
‘Come on,’ Sundar encouraged. ‘Now is your chance to impress Miss Robson.’
Sam hesitated, but Sundar pushed him forward. Adela met them halfway and greeted them warmly.
‘Hello, Sam.’ She smiled up at him quizzically. ‘I hoped you might be here today. Will you be staying for a few days? Auntie and I are returning to Simla after this.’
Sam shook his head. ‘I’m on my way back to the mission – I’ve been in Simla for a week.’ He glanced back to see if Ghulam was still in sight.
‘Oh, I see.’ Adela did not hide her disappointment. ‘We’ve been having a few days’ holiday—’
‘Yes, I know. You’ve been at Eagle’s Nest.’
‘Word does get round Simla quickly, doesn’t it?’ she said with a nervous laugh.
‘You look very well, Adela.’ Sam smiled. ‘And you stole the show at the Gaiety.’
‘You came to see it?’ she gasped.
‘Of course he did.’ Sundar grinned. ‘All your fans were there.’
‘So why didn’t you let me know?’
‘Because someone else seems to be monopolising you these days,’ Sam teased.
‘Oh, Prince Jay.’ Adela blushed. ‘Well, he’s been very generous.’
As if on cue, Jay strolled over. Adela hurriedly introduced them.
Jay gave an urbane smile. ‘Gentlemen, would you like to join us for tiffin? The Raja of Nerikot is with us too.’
Sam’s gut clenched. Was this why Ghulam had come out of hiding? Was he preparing to confront the Raja? He looked over his shoulder, scanning the crowd, but he’d lost sight of the young activist. His feeling of dread grew. What if Ghulam was planning a violent protest, one that would whip up the already excited crowd of revellers? Prince Sanjay’s party could be the target and Adela’s life might be in danger. Sam had to find out where Fatima’s brother had gone.
‘That’s kind,’ said Sundar. ‘We’d like—’
‘We can’t stay I’m afraid,’ Sam cut in rudely. ‘We have to be elsewhere.’
He grabbed Sundar by the arm and pulled him away.
‘Sam,’ Adela chided, ‘please stay.’
Jay put a possessive hand to her elbow. ‘Mr Jackman seems in rather a hurry. Bes
t just to let him go. Another time perhaps.’ He gave Sam a cursory nod and turned, steering Adela back to the picnic awning.
Adela sat down in frustration as Jay went off to speak to the Raja. Fluffy was fanning herself; she looked glassy-eyed in the heat.
‘Was that Sam and Sundar?’ she asked breathlessly. ‘Are they not coming to join us?’
‘No,’ Adela said. ‘Sam made up some excuse not to.’
‘Perhaps he has duties to attend to.’
‘Sundar wanted to stay, but Sam wouldn’t let him. You could tell he couldn’t get away fast enough – kept glancing round as if he wanted to be anywhere but here with us.’
‘I think you’re imagining that.’
‘No, I’m not. He probably disapproves of all this,’ said Adela with a sweep of her hands around the prince’s picnic spot.
‘Yes, probably.’ Fluffy sighed.
‘Are you all right?’ Adela was suddenly concerned. ‘Would you like to go into the tent?’
‘No,’ Fluffy said, flapping her fan. ‘It’ll be even hotter in there. We could do with a good downpour to clear the air, don’t you think?’
‘Not while the fair is on I hope.’ Adela smiled. ‘We don’t want the day spoilt for everyone. Would you like some nimbu pani to cool you down, Auntie?’
‘Yes please, dear.’
While Fluffy sipped and closed her eyes, Adela scanned the crowd, trying to pick out Sam. He had come after all to see her in the show; if only she had known he was there, she would have sought him out. So why hadn’t he told her? Perhaps she had never crossed his mind until that evening, and he had only gone because his friend Sundar had taken him along. To think he had been in Simla all this time and she had not known. If she had, she would never have gone to Eagle’s Nest. Or would she? An inner voice mocked her. She had jumped at the chance of staying in the luxurious mansion and being lavished with attention by the handsome Jay. If she had to choose again, would she not still pick Jay? Only last night she had been contemplating the prince’s wild promise of marriage. Was she really so fickle?
The Girl From the Tea Garden Page 18
