“What treat do you seek today, my lady?” Theo flashed his brilliant smile, and she tried to remember how to speak. He’d had that effect on her since they met six weeks earlier.
“Sarla’s birthday is tomorrow. I’d like to find her a new bracelet.” Vinita stopped to browse a jeweler's stand. There were several ornately decorated gold bands. Their wealth afforded the sisters the opportunity to wear fine jewelry, which proved to everyone that the Maharaja remained the wealthiest man in the region.
“Is she older or younger than you?”
“Younger by a year. Suniti is older than me by two. Sarla’s turning nineteen.”
Theo smiled. Vinita was two years younger than him. It also meant Suniti and Rob were the same age, and Sarla was three years younger than Will. The three men were only a few months apart in age, with Theo as the oldest.
“How old are you?” Vinita asked casually as she picked up another bracelet.
“Twenty-two, my lady.”
Vinita put the bracelet down and turned away from the stall. She glanced up at Theo. “Must you always address me so formally?”
“It’s only proper.”
“I prefer Nita.” She held her breath and waited for the rejection.
“Both names are beautiful, Nita.” Theo allowed the back of his hand to brush hers as they walked. It wasn’t the first time it had happened, but it was the first time it was intentional. When neither pulled away, they allowed their hands to touch with every step. Theo wished he could hold hers, or wrap her arm around his, but it would be a death wish to be so brazen in public. Such outward signs of affection would be intolerable to Surat and Chandra.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters—Theo?” Vinita had avoided his name and wasn’t sure about his title. She knew from Suniti that Rob was a lord. She knew Theo was the son of a nobleman, but she didn’t know if that merited a formal address.
“I like hearing you say my name, Nita.” Theo lowered his voice, and the deep timber shot a wave of lust to her core. “I have two younger sisters. They’re sixteen and eighteen.”
“Are they married?”
“Blessedly, no.” Theo shook his head. “They’re far too young and ill-prepared to run a household. My mother has been in poor health the past few years, and my father has failed my sisters by not employing a governess or sending them to finishing school.”
“Finishing school?”
“Yes. It’s a place for young ladies to learn the finer points of etiquette and to prepare for entering society.”
“Entering society? Do the English keep their women hidden?”
Theo chuckled. “Some might say so. The height of society is in London. Young ladies of the nobility must present themselves before the queen. Then they become debutantes and may attend society affairs, including balls and afternoon teas. They may join their families at house parties, and men may court them. Before that, most remain at their family’s country homes until they make their come out.”
“And do they see people while at their country homes? Do they go to the villages or markets?”
“Yes. They aren’t locked away with a forgotten key somewhere.”
“Sounds boring.”
“I imagine it is. I could run, fish, hunt, and ride while my sisters suffered through endless embroidery lessons with Mother.”
“Amrit taught my sisters and me to sew. I don’t mind it, but it wasn’t hours upon hours. And we could play with the other children in the village when we were very young. I didn’t care for all the lessons in how to run a household, but I appreciate my mother’s teachings now.”
Theo’s shoulders tensed. “Since you’ll marry soon.”
Vinita halted and looked up at Theo. “Who says?”
“Your father told us when we returned from patrol. I’d already heard talk about it while we were near the border.”
The color drained from Vinita’s face. Her father alluded to continuing negotiations, but she didn’t think it was far enough along for him to tell anyone. She didn’t know how the news spread so far.
“Nita?” Theo pulled her aside, shielding her from view as tears glistened in her eyes.
“I don’t want to marry him. I don’t think he will treat me well.”
