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By Root 2771 0

enlightenment – and forgetfulness, which I did not find. And when at last I returned it was to find that she had died long since, and of a broken heart, leaving a little daughter for whom I could do nothing, because there was now a new Rani in the palace: an evil woman who had usurped that other's place, and by enslaving my brother's heart and bearing him sons had attained great power and influence over him – while I, who had once been close to him, had through my own folly become a stranger and of no account. Wherefore, finding that I could in no way help her child Anjuli, I withdrew to my own estates and seldom visited the court. And though it was urged upon me, I did not take a second wife because… because I could not forget her. I am now old; but still I cannot forget.’

‘Yet you tell me that I shall do so,’ said Ash bitterly.

‘Ah, but then you, my son, are young, and many years of youth lie before you. It will be easier for you.’

‘And what of her? – what of Anjuli? Will it be easier for her?’

Kaka-ji fended off the question with a helpless gesture of his small hands, and Ash said violently: ‘You know it will not! Rao-Sahib, listen to me – you have just told me that you could do nothing to help her when she was a child, because of Janoo-Rani. But there is no one now who can stop you from helping her if you choose and you have seen enough of that vile creature who calls himself Rana of Bhithor to know what he is like and how little regard he has for honour or promises. No one could blame you, after all that has occurred, if you decided to withdraw from the contract and take both your nieces back to Karidkote.’

‘But – but that is not possible,’ gasped Kaka-ji, horrified. ‘It would be madness. No, no, that I could not do.’

‘Why not?’ urged Ash. ‘Who is there to prevent you? Rao-Sahib, I beg of you – for Shushila's sake as well as Anjuli's. No one would blame you. You need only –’

‘No!’ said Kaka-ji loudly. ‘It is too late. You do not understand. You do not know Nandu.’

‘He cannot be worse than the Rana.’

‘You think not? But then as I have said you do not know him. Were we now to return, bringing back his sisters unwed and dowerless, having forfeited all that has already been paid and made ourselves a laughing stock throughout all India, Nandu's vengeance would fall terribly upon all of us. My own life is of little account, but there are others to be thought of: Mulraj and Maldeo Rai, and Suraj Ram and Bagwan Singh also, and many others besides. Even Unpora-Bai –’

‘He would not dare kill them,’ interrupted Ash impatiently. ‘The British Resident –’

‘Bah!’ Kaka-ji's scornful expletive cut him short. ‘You Sahib-log think your Raj can do many things that it cannot. Have I said that there would be a public slaying? There would be no need. There are other ways – many others. And even if we did not die, we and our families would forfeit all we had, even to the very roofs over our heads, while as for my nieces… who would there be after this who would wish to wed them when their names had become a byword and a jest because of this affair? I tell you, both would find their brother Nandu a crueller gaoler than even the Rana of Bhithor, and end by wishing that we had let them be. If you do not believe that, ask Mulraj – ask Maldeo Rai. Either will bear me out. Sahib, what you suggest is not possible. We must make what terms we can with the Rana. That is all we can do.’

‘Even though it means letting Anjuli sacrifice herself for the sake of the daughter of an evil woman – your own term, Rao-Sahib – who supplanted her mother and made her childhood a misery?’ asked Ash bitterly.

‘It is her own choice, my son,’ Kaka-ji reminded him, forbearing to take offence. ‘And if you think that I who am only her uncle could turn her from it, when you who love her, and whom it would seem that she loves, have failed to do so, then you cannot know her as I do.’

Ash's mouth twisted, and presently he said under his breath: ‘I know her: I know her better than… anyone. Better even than myself…’

‘Then you will know that I am right.’

Ash did not