Monsoon Mists (14 page)

A knock on the bedroom door interrupted their chat and another servant entered and bowed. ‘There is a man to see you, mistress. He is waiting in the courtyard.’

‘A man?’

‘Yes, a
videsi
.’

‘A foreigner? Oh, I see. I’ll be down in a moment.’ Could it be Jamie
– no, Kinross, for heaven’s sake, I must remember not to think of him so informally –
come visiting in broad daylight this time? Zar felt a shimmer of anticipation flutter in her stomach, but she put a hand on her abdomen to stop such nonsense. It could be any one of the persistent Englishmen from the Factory too. Not Richardson again? Well, she wouldn’t take any chances. ‘Priya, accompany me, please.’

‘Of course,
sahiba
. I’ll sit in a corner where I can see you.’

Priya’s presence made Zar feel marginally better, but she still couldn’t stop her heart from giving a little leap when she saw that it was indeed Jamie who was sitting on a stone bench in the middle of the courtyard. He stood up as she approached and bowed.

‘Mrs Miller. Thank you for taking the time to see me.’

‘Please take a seat again, Mr Kinross. To what do I owe this honour? I don’t need rescuing today.’ Zar couldn’t help but infuse a certain amount of sarcasm into her words. After all, he hadn’t bothered to ask her permission last time he visited. Nor when he kissed her … She felt her cheeks heat up at the thought of what he’d done without asking and turned away while she sat down herself. But he had saved her from Richardson.

He didn’t answer straight away, but stared at some of the nearby plants first, as if he was weighing his words. Zar felt like the silence was stretching her nerves, so she decided to goad him a little. ‘Have you perhaps come to apologise for your intrusion and, er … taking liberties, the other night?’ she said, keeping her voice down so no one else could hear.

He turned to smile at her, amusement glinting in his eyes. In the sunlight, the irises seemed as clear as crystal today and Zar had to drag her own gaze away. ‘No, I haven’t,’ he replied. ‘Why, did you expect me to?’

‘A gentleman would.’

‘Ah. I thought we’d established that I’m no such thing?’

‘But you said your mother—’

‘Brought me up as one, yes. That doesn’t mean I always follow her instructions. Only when there are scoundrels who need thrashing.’

Zar could see he was teasing her now and although it annoyed her, it was also strangely pleasurable. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed arguing with someone. It made the blood fizz in her veins in the most peculiar way.

‘I see,’ she said, pretending disdain. ‘So what can possibly bring you here today? Nothing good, I’d wager.’

He chuckled. ‘And there was I, thinking I’d cured you of making bets with me, Zarmina.’

‘It was a figure of speech, as I’m sure you’re well aware. And don’t call me that,’ Zar tried her best to look stern so as to discourage such familiarity, but it only had the effect of widening his smile.

‘There’s no one near so I think I will anyway, Zarmina.’

She couldn’t think of a reply to that, so just waited to hear what he’d come to say. Perhaps he’d changed his mind and intended to propose to her after all? He would receive the same answer as everyone else.

But his next words surprised her. ‘I’ve come to you for advice about a little girl.’

‘I beg your pardon?’ Zar stared at him. ‘What little girl?’

Jamie sighed. ‘I have, at present, an eight-year-old girl living under my roof and I don’t quite know what to do with her. She’s the little thief who stole your purse the other day and—’

Zar interrupted him. ‘Hah, I knew it! You arranged the whole thing in order to make yourself appear in a good light. Just as I thought.’

‘What? No!’ Jamie looked genuinely horrified, making Zar doubt her conclusion.

‘You didn’t? But it was all so … so convenient.’

He nodded. ‘I can see it might appear that way to you, but I swear on everything I hold dear, I didn’t set it up. Roshani really is …
was
a thief. She’d been forced into a life of crime by an evil uncle after her father died and she had no choice. As far as I can make out, her uncle is one of the brigands who roam the countryside, preying on unwary travellers, and he sent her into town each day to pick pockets and steal. But she came to my house the other day and offered me a lifetime of servitude because she said I’d saved hers. I don’t know what punishment would have been meted out to her if I’d handed her over to the authorities, but she seemed to think it was bad.’

Zar was still having trouble believing this story and frowned at him. ‘Well, of course she would have been punished, although I’m not sure exactly how as she’s so young.’ She shrugged. ‘If you have now employed her, it’s up to you to keep an eye on her so she doesn’t return to her thieving ways. I don’t see why you need advice from me. That should be self-evident, no?’

Jamie, who had stood up again to pace in front of her, sat down abruptly next to Zar. He was so close now their legs touched from upper thigh to knee level, but he didn’t seem to notice. She did, however, and had to quell a gasp as the contact sent a wave of warmth through her limbs.

‘I trust her not to steal anything ever again,’ he said, looking at Zar intently. ‘That’s not the problem. She’s safe for now, under the protection of my servant’s wife, and is helping her with cooking and such like. The trouble is that I never stay in one place for very long and I won’t be here indefinitely. I’ve rented the house and the servants are temporary, so what will happen to Roshani when I leave? I doubt they’ll keep her on and I can’t take her with me. And then there’s the dog …’

‘Dog? What dog?’

‘Oh, just a mutt Roshani brought with her. I agreed he could stay as well.’ He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. ‘Well, I couldn’t very well separate them. It was obvious they had a close bond.’

Zar continued to stare at him, wondering if he was entirely sane. To take on a former thief as his servant was one thing, but to allow her to bring a dog of indeterminate parentage into his house as well? That was surely taking philanthropy a step too far.

Jamie’s mouth quirked and he shook his head. ‘I know, I know, it sounds like madness, doesn’t it? What can I say? I like dogs. They have this way of looking at you and I fall for it every time.’

‘I see.’ Zar took a deep breath. For some reason his love of canines and his obviously soft heart when it came to small thieves was making her own heart feel decidedly mushy. She wondered if the whole thing was another set-up. He was an intelligent man. Was he trying to fool her into thinking him different to all the other suitors by deliberately appealing to her tender emotions? But he looked exceedingly earnest, as if the whole subject was really troubling him. There was no guile in his gaze, no apparent deceit. She decided a direct approach would probably be best. The sooner he told her why he’d come, the faster he would leave, which would be heaps better for her equilibrium. ‘What, exactly, is it you’d like from me, Mr Kinross?’

Another glint of amusement flashed in his eyes, as if to remind her what it was he really wanted, but then he grew serious. ‘I know it’s outrageous of me to impose on you, but I was wondering if I could possibly ask you to promise me you’ll employ the girl as and when I leave? If not, I think she’s stubborn enough to try and follow me, even if I tell her not to. Having rescued her once, I would hate to think of her falling into her uncle’s clutches again. The Lord only knows what he’ll force her into when she’s a bit older …’

He let the sentence hang in the air and Zar caught his meaning loud and clear. A vulnerable young girl could be sold to the highest bidder. She almost snorted.
And don’t I know it!

‘Very well, you have my word, but she has to come willingly. I won’t force her to work for me so you’ll have to persuade her it’s her best option.’

Jamie gave her a dazzling smile which made her quite breathless for a moment. He grabbed one of her hands with both of his. ‘Thank you, that’s a weight off my mind. I owe you a debt of gratitude and I won’t forget it.’

She extricated her hand, clasping it with her other one to stop the tingling of the fingers he’d just touched. ‘No thanks necessary,’ she murmured. ‘I’m happy to help a fellow female in need. I just hope I don’t regret it. If she steals from me—’

‘She won’t, I’d swear to it. And if she does, I promise I’ll repay you.’ He was about to stand up but suddenly stopped. ‘Oh, but what about the dog?’ His eyes opened wide in consternation and Zar almost laughed out loud. He was seriously concerned about a mongrel? Although truth to tell, as half Parsee, she’d been taught by her mother to hold dogs in high esteem and she had a liking for them herself, only William refused to allow one in the house.

She sighed. ‘I suppose he’ll have to come too, but he would have to stay in the kitchens. William would kill him else. He’s not a lover of animals.’

Jamie nodded. ‘Thank you. I’ll make sure Roshani knows to keep him out of the way.’ He stood at last and bowed deeply to her. ‘Would you like to meet them? It might be a good idea for you to become acquainted.’

‘Yes, I suppose so.’

‘How about if we go on an outing together, a picnic perhaps? I hear people often go on excursions to the gardens in the suburbs. I could rent a conveyance.’

‘I … well …’ Zar wasn’t at all sure she wanted to go anywhere with him, even in the company of a small girl and a dog.

‘You must bring a maid, of course, and anyone else you’d care to invite. Shall we say tomorrow afternoon or early evening, after the worst of the heat?’ When she hesitated, he added with a grin, ‘I swear I won’t make you any proposals of any kind, if that’s what is worrying you. I just want you to get to know Roshani.’

Zar nodded. ‘Very well then, tomorrow.’

He took his leave, but she stayed in the courtyard, wondering why his final words had made her feel cross. She ought to be happy he didn’t want to marry her, nor proposition her in any other way, so why did his assurance annoy her so? It made no sense. Unless she wanted to marry him. But that was utter nonsense.

She didn’t want Jamie or anyone else.

Then why did the words of Shakespeare suddenly pop into her mind? ‘
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.’

With an angry swish of her petticoats, she stood up and marched off towards her bedroom. She had better things to do than brood over Mr Kinross. Didn’t she?

Chapter Twelve

Jamie had kept an eye out for his shadow from the journey, the man with the
tulwar
nose, and had seen him on several occasions. As he strolled home from Zarmina’s house, he noticed the man was following him once again, although as always Jamie didn’t let on that he’d spotted him. Tiring of the game, he ducked into a crowded shop and hid behind a particularly large clay pot, waiting for the spy to pass. He wasn’t in the mood to humour him today.

‘Man still outside. Wait,’ a small voice hissed behind him.

Jamie turned to find Roshani and her dog crouching behind another huge pot, while the shopkeeper frowned in their direction. ‘What are you doing here?’ Jamie said sternly. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be working in my kitchen?’ He didn’t mind if she skived off for a while, but he’d rather she didn’t get mixed up in the jewel business. What if the man had seen her? Harmed her? The thought made him scowl at her.

‘Cook lady no need me today. Said play. Kutaro and me guard.’

‘You’ve been following me?’ She nodded and Jamie sighed. ‘Look, Roshani, I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself. Why do you think I came in here? I was waiting for the man with the big nose to go past.’

‘Oh, he gone, but other man over there.’ Roshani nodded to the left across the street.

‘Other man?’ Jamie bent forward slightly to peer around the pot. There was a man loitering near a stall selling fruit, fingering some of them without really looking, while glancing towards the shop Jamie was in. ‘What the hell …?’ It annoyed him that he’d been so complacent. He should have been more careful, not assumed that only one spy was following him. He turned back to Roshani. ‘I don’t suppose you know him?’

It wasn’t an unreasonable question. Surat was a teeming city, but if her uncle was a criminal, he might be connected to someone who undertook furtive jobs like spying.

‘No, but lady friend do.’

‘What?’ Jamie felt his eyebrows rise towards his hair line. ‘You mean Mrs Miller?’

Roshani nodded. ‘She maid talk with man when you leave house.’

Zarmina was having him followed? Why? He’d have to find out and the only way to do that would be to ask.

‘Well, thank you for telling me.’ Jamie stretched out a hand to the little girl. ‘Come on, let’s go home. If he wants to follow us, he can, we’re not doing anything suspicious.’ He grinned at her. ‘Although we could play a game with him if you like? Shall we see how long it will take us to lose him in the crowds?’

Roshani’s face lit up. ‘Yes, fun!’

‘Right, let’s go.’

‘Ali lost him and his daughter.’ Priya was combing her mistress’s hair in soothing strokes, but her eyes met Zar’s in the mirror of her dressing table as she shrugged. ‘Maybe you should employ someone else?’

‘Mr Kinross doesn’t have a daughter as far as I know. That must have been his, er … ward. But why was she out walking with him? Did he leave her outside my house all by herself while he came in?’

‘I don’t know. Perhaps. So should I fire him, Ali?’

‘No! Just make sure he knows I won’t pay him for losing sight of the people he’s supposed to be following. I need to know what Ja- … Kinross is up to. There’s something strange going on with him and William.’

‘Can’t be good. Your stepson is a fool.’

‘Precisely. So why would Kinross do business with him? And why couldn’t he mention it in front of me? It must be an underhand deal of some kind.’ A thought struck her. ‘You don’t think he’s a thief? Is anything missing from my jewellery box?’ Was that why he was being so lenient with another budding criminal, the little girl? Because he was one himself? It hadn’t occurred to Zar to wonder how and where Kinross had obtained those lovely diamonds he’d brought. She had accepted his story of the Golconda mines as truth.