‘Very well. What about Laxmi?’
‘Laxmi? I’ve never seen her visitors, though I expect she does have them.’
‘And Chatur? Does he have any unusual visitors?’
‘All I know about Chatur is that he’s haughty and condescending. How would I know if he has unusual visitors? It’s a very large castle, Clifford.’
‘Of course it is. Of course. But you haven’t told me why you’re here. Unless it’s …’ He paused. ‘Can I hope?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘So …?’
‘Jayant Singh has decided to employ an engineer to draw up plans to capture water to irrigate his lands and also the villages local to him. He wants to bring prosperity to the area and believes water is the solution.’
‘I see … water. Well, it does bring prosperity. He intends to drill?’
‘Don’t think so. It’s just in the early stages, but Clifford, the people are poor and there has been little rain. When I look at their ravaged faces I feel so guilty. The thing is, we need your help.’
He twisted his mouth to one side. ‘We?’
‘Well, not me, but Laxmi and Jay, though I have offered to do what I can. You only have to see the poverty to want to help.’
‘Jay? You call him that?’ There was an uncomfortable pause before Clifford continued, during which he studied her. ‘Not more going on than meets the eye, I hope?’
‘Of course not.’
He looked as if he was considering. ‘And this help?’
‘Involves raising money and rubber-stamping the idea. Jay needs British approval to go ahead. And he needs permission to dam a small river.’
‘And British cash?’
‘Exactly.’
He snorted. ‘They have wealth hidden away and yet here they come cap in hand as usual!’
He got to his feet and with his hands in his pockets seemed to be thinking. ‘Would you stay to lunch, Eliza? It will give me time to give it some thought and maybe get some messages to key individuals. What do you say?’
Eliza inclined her head. ‘I’d be delighted.’
‘Let’s go out to the garden. There’s shade.’
In the garden they sat on a bench together – a little too close for comfort, but Eliza thought it a small price to pay if Clifford agreed, and so, despite her inclination, she didn’t shift away. Instead she sat calmly with her hands in her lap and waited, just as Laxmi would have done. She smiled at the thought that she was being influenced in that way and remained looking at the pretty gazebo, the dainty splashing fountain, and the climbing plants spilling over the garden walls.
‘Penny for them?’ he said.
‘Just what a lovely garden,’ she said, and was rewarded with a smile.
‘My pride and joy. By the way,’ he said as he adjusted his tie, ‘I’ve a letter … judging by the postmark it’s from your mother. I’ll let you have it before you go.’
Eliza thanked him, though a letter from her mother – likely to be full of complaints – wasn’t something she relished.
‘So how are you really getting on?’ he asked.
A butler in white came out with pre-luncheon drinks on a silver tray and Eliza watched as Clifford picked up his glass and sipped. He was clearly a fastidious man, fingernails clipped short and always immaculately dressed, whatever the weather.
‘Well, it is strange, of course,’ she said.
