It was a generous gesture. Perhaps Ian was right that the colonel's wife wasn't a bad sort in spite of her appalling frankness.
Laura frowned as she thought of her husband. During their three days in Cambay, she'd scarcely seen him alone. Though the affair of Leela was closed, there was still a certain tension between them. Or perhaps the problem was that they were surrounded by people and it was taking all of Ian's energy to cope with the strain. Laura would be glad when they resumed their journey in another day and a half.
The bedroom door opened and Laura turned to see Ian enter. Her eyes widened. "Oh, my," she breathed. "There's something about a man in uniform."
Ian smiled a little at her expression. "Does a uniform make that much difference on a scarecrow?''
"You look," she said honestly, "absolutely magnificent."
Though Ian was no longer an officer, David had convinced him that full-dress uniform should be worn for a regimental ball in his honor. It was also the easiest choice, since all of Ian's possessions had been given to David after his presumed death. Not having any other formal evening wear, Ian had agreed to the uniform, though without enthusiasm.
Laura was glad that he had, for in his scarlet-coated, black-faced and gold-laced regimentals, Ian was a sight to turn any woman's head. She guessed that the derzi had taken in the seams because the coat did an impeccable job of displaying her husband's broad shoulders and narrow waist. He was still too thin, but in a splendidly lean and panther-ish way. His eye patch added exactly the right dashing accent.
"You look rather magnificent yourself," he said, his expression warm with admiration. He handed her a velvet-covered jewelry box. "This is for you, since I didn't give you a wedding present. You might want to wear these tonight."
No woman was immune to the allure of jewels, and Laura opened the box eagerly. Then her mouth dropped open and once more she said feebly, "Oh, my."
Resting on the white silk lining was a gorgeous sapphire necklace and matching earrings.
"You said you were wearing blue, so I thought these stones would go well. Allow me?" Ian lifted the necklace and fastened it around her throat. "Someday I'll give you topazes, to match your eyes."
Laura turned to look at herself in the mirror and inhaled sharply. The gems shimmered with blue fire, fit for a princess. For a moment she saw not herself but Tatyana, garbed in silk and sapphires for an imperial ball.
The memory sent goosefeet running down Laura's spine. She swallowed hard. "I don't think I ever realized quite how much I resemble my mother."
Ian rested his hands lightly on her shoulders. "If so, she was a very beautiful woman."
"She was, though I don't look that much like her." Laura turned and kissed her husband. "Thank you, Ian. This is the most splendid gift I've ever received." She replaced her simple gold earbobs with the sapphire earrings, which dangled halfway to her shoulders and flashed with cool light at every movement of her head. "Now I can outface any catty female in India."
He smiled and offered his arm. Together they went into the sitting room, where David waited. He also looked remarkably handsome in uniform, though not quite as impressive as Ian. Give him a few more years and a few more lines in his face, and perhaps he could come close to matching his older brother.
David's eyes widened when he saw his sister-in-law. "Good heavens, Laura, you are absolutely stunning."
She blushed a little, because her ability to sense male desire confirmed just how sincere his admiration was. But David's regard didn't worry her, for he was the sort of man for whom it would be literally unthinkable to make an improper advance to his brother's wife.
In fact, Laura realized with rising delight, at tonight's ball she could be gay and giddy without worrying about the consequences. With Ian as her husband, she was safe from the unwanted attentions of other men for the first time in her life.
She took David's arm with her free hand. "Shall we go? With two such handsome escorts, I'll be the most envied woman in Cambay. And I'm going to have a wonderful time tonight."
As they left, Ian wished dourly that he was equally sure of how the evening would go.
* * *
The Cambay Club had originally been founded as a center for sporting activities, but over time it had become the focus of social activity for the entire British community. It occupied a lofty two-story building surrounded by gardens, with one whole wing given over to a ballroom. Waltz music wafted through the warm night air as they went up the front steps to the veranda.
As they entered the club, David said, "Ian, you'll be swamped with people all night. Shall I take Laura in charge? I can perform introductions, fend off lovestruck subalterns, procure refreshments, and generally look out for her."