Veils of Silk(139)

"I'm worried about letting you out of my sight," she said. "I know I'm being ridiculous, but I feel as if nothing too terrible can happen to you as long as I'm there."

He studied her face. "I know what you mean. Part of me—the stupid part—wants to keep you nearby."

Sensing victory, she said persuasively, "If this trip really isn't that dangerous, where's the harm in my going?"

"Anytime one travels into wild country, there's an element of unpredictability. Ninety-nine chances out of hundred, we'd be able to go up there, locate the Shpola Pass, and come back without a problem." He grimaced. "It's the hundredth chance that bothers me."

"Ninety-nine out of a hundred isn't bad. And the hundredth could happen even if I went with Zafir.'' She was about to say more, but decided it would be more effective to hold her tongue and let Ian analyze the odds on his own.

Finally he sighed. "Very well. This really shouldn't be dangerous, so you can go if it's that important to you." His face hardened, "But there's one condition. You're going to have to promise to follow orders like a subaltern. If something goes wrong, arguing could cost us our lives. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," she said with a surge of relief so strong that it weakened her. "You're the commander of this expedition." For a moment she rested her head on his shoulder. With fear out of the way, other emotions began to manifest. She began stroking him mischievously. "Now that we've settled that, can we finish what we started, only with no hidden motives?"

He laughed again, then took her hand and led her over to the bed. "Since you're going to be doing a lot of riding in the next few weeks..."—he lay on his back and drew her down on top of him—"you might as well practice."

What followed proved to be as enjoyable as it was educational. Laura decided that it didn't really matter whether she finished reading the Kama Sutra or not. She was learning everything she needed to know from her husband.

* * *

Later that afternoon, Laura made a farewell call on Kamala. She was worried that knowledge of Rajiv Singh's plot would make it hard for her to act naturally, but the maharani made the visit easy. After dismissing her women, Kamala pulled Laura down to the cushion beside her. "Even if you hadn't sent a note," she smiled, "I would know that you have found your heart's desire."

Blushing, Laura nodded. "The suggestions you and my servant Meera made were wonderful. In particular, the rose petals were an inspiration."

The maharani waved her hand grandly. "What's a garden for, if not to provide pleasure for one's friends?"

Caught between laughter and tears, Laura said, "I'm going to miss you, Kamala."

"And I you." Shyly the maharani added, "Will you write me?"

"Of course," Laura said warmly. "It will be good for me to practice my Persian. And perhaps someday Ian and I will come back for a visit. Every year, the trip becomes swifter." Then she fell silent A year from now, it was possible that the British would be gone from India. Or Rajiv Singh and even Kamala might be dead, or exiled. The friendship between two women could become just another victim of the cataclysm that was forming.

Not understanding the reason for her guest's sadness, Kamala said, "I, too, weep in my heart. A queen has many subjects but few friends." She gnawed on her lip, then said in a rush of words, "I shouldn't speak of this until I'm absolutely certain, but I must confide in someone, so I will tell you."

Good Lord, did Kamala know of her husband's plan and want to discuss it? Tom between friendship and patriotism, Laura said uncertainly, "If it's a state secret, I shouldn't know it."

Kamala gave her a luminous smile. "It isn't a state secret, it's my heart's desire." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Laura, I think I am with child. Srinivasa said sometime back that it might happen, but I have been afraid to hope."

It took a moment for Laura to shift mental gars. Then she gasped, "Oh, Kamala, after so many years? That's wonderful!"

"I daren't speak of it yet to anyone, for it would break Rajiv Singh's heart if I'm wrong. There is a young cousin he has been thinking of adopting as his heir, but he has held off, still hoping." The maharani smiled bashfully. "I am an old woman, but not so old that I cannot still give him a son."

"Old—you?" Laura laughed. "You are the embodiment of womanly beauty. Once you have discovered the knack of childbearing, perhaps you shall have more. Does Srinivasa have anything to say about the possibility?"

Kama's face became grave. "He said—and this is most unusual—that the issue is clouded and could have more than one outcome. In fact, I also asked him to look again at the charts of you and your husband, since you were so concerned." She caught her visitor's hand. "There is a cloud over all of our futures," she said earnestly. "Be careful, Laura."