Theo knew who it was. He leaned back with his hands behind his back. He chuckled at Vinita’s horrified expression. She hurried to don the kurta she’d worn the day before. He shook his head but climbed from the bed. He didn’t appreciate having the lovely view cut short. From her frown, she felt the same way when he pulled his breeches on. They barely covered themselves before Chandra opened the door and screamed.
She continued to scream until Suniti, Rob, Surat, and Sarla crowded her. Surat pushed past his wife to barge into the chamber. He went immediately to the bed and threw back the covers. The stain he expected wasn’t there.
“You defiled my daughter before this!”
“No, Baba. I’m still a maiden, but just barely.”
“Just barely?” Surat lunged forward. Theo did nothing to defend himself, but he pressed Vinita behind him. He took one blow after another to his face and abdomen as Vinita sobbed.
“It’s his right, sweetling.” Theo reassured Vinita, but the endearment only enraged Surat further.
“You had no right to touch my daughter.” Surat swung around and stalked to Suniti, who Rob stepped in front of. “This is your fault. You tempted your sister into this with your lustful ways.”
“No, she didn’t, Baba.” Vinita hoped to reason with her father. “I already knew how I felt before that day in the market. Theo feels the same.”
“Feels? How the hell will the Maharaja of Jodhpur feel when his son receives a sullied bride?”
“Vinita’s only husband will be me. I will take your accusations, and I will take your punishments. But you will not take her from me.” Theo’s resolute voice made Surat pause. He looked at the young man and found an unbending will that dared the older man to make good on his threat. The Maharaja shook his head as his shoulders slumped.
“I suppose you wish to marry at the same ceremony as your sister.”
“I don’t want to intrude on Suni’s day.”
“It’s not an intrusion, Nita. I want you there. I know Rob does too.” Suniti stepped around Rob then looked back at her husband, who nodded. He didn’t know what to make of the situation. He thought it was bad enough that anyone discovered him kissing Suniti in the market. This was beyond anything he’d imagined Theo would attempt. It made him wonder to what extremes Will would go to marry Sarla.
“Thank you.” Theo worked his jaw side-to-side. The pain was setting in, and the bruising would soon show. Compared to what he’d done that night to the men who threatened Vinita, he considered it a small price to pay.
“Leave now,” Chandra demanded. She struggled to reconcile both her daughters marrying Englishmen. She was prepared to lock Sarla in her room until Surat found her a husband and took her to him.
“Maan,” Vinita pleaded.
“No. He’s been here long enough. He may return for the wedding in one week.”
“No!” Vinita spun and hurried to Theo. Once in his arms, she burst into tears. “He sees me every day, just as he already has, or I will declare us already married.”
“Vinita, your mother is trying to do what she believes is best for you.”
“No. You are what’s best for me. After last night, I am not comfortable being far from you.”
“What happened last night?” Surat demanded.
“We met just beyond the palace walls, Baba. Five men attacked us. Theo fought all of them. I—I don’t know what happened to the fifth one, but the rest died.”
“He is dead, too. They’ve all been disposed of. They will not threaten anyone again, and I doubt another Company man will fathom such a poor choice.” Theo’s voice was emotionless, but his gaze met Surat’s over Vinita’s head. The maharaja and father understood. Theo was not a man dissuaded from protecting Vinita. He’d seen it that day the three young officers rushed to their rescue. He’d heard how the man died. He suspected that was merciful compared to the example he must have made of the attacker last night. He nodded. He would have to convince Chandra to see what he did. Vinita would be miserable in her arranged marriage, and they feared for her. But Surat felt trapped until now. He would pay whatever he had to, but he would ensure Vinita's and Theo’s marriage happened.
“He may return for the evening meal.” That was the most Surat would concede for now. Theo kissed Vinita’s forehead and leaned to whisper in her ear.
“I love you, my love.” He kissed her temple.
“I love you, my love.” She stretched to reach his cheek.
Sarla watched in silence throughout. She and Will would have to reconsider their plan before her parents locked her away to prevent a triple wedding. Once everyone left Vinita to ready herself for the day, Sarla slipped away.
Chapter Eight
“We can’t wait much longer. I fear my father will make me marry the man now that Vinita won’t.” Sarla stood behind the almshouse with Will. She’d left her guards at the front door and wound her way through the building until she could slip outside. He was waiting for her there. It’s where they met every day before she went inside to help, and Will went about his business for the Company. “What do you want to do? Declare like Suniti and Rob? I know the plan was to get caught like the others, but I don’t want to do that to my parents a third time. They expect me to do better, I’m sure.”
“How can we have a Brahma ceremony or any other Hindu one without their consent?”
