Eliza bristled. ‘I’m not entirely unknown.’
A few moments of silence as she inwardly fumed.
‘This is a journey of several days,’ he continued, carelessly interrupting her thoughts.
‘Well, I wish you’d told me. I’ve only brought one change of clothes.’
‘As have I.’
‘Do you not wash?’
He laughed out loud. ‘If I had a pound for every time I’ve been asked that by a European. Tonight we will camp and tomorrow too. So no.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that.’ She was sure he’d understood her perfectly but let it go. ‘So? Camp where?’
‘In the desert. But don’t worry, you won’t be alone, a servant girl will be with you. She and others are following.’
‘And the tents?’
‘Already organized. Some men have gone on ahead to set up. Every year, the Chandrabhaga fair of Jhalawar takes place in the Hindu month of Kartik. It is a state largely unexplored by the British, which is why my mother thought you might like to see it.’
‘What about fuel for the car?’
He took one hand from the wheel and waved at the great outdoors. ‘Here and there. Stopping points. It is arranged.’
‘You normally come so far for your camels?’
‘Very perceptive. And no, we go to Pushkar or Nagaur.’
‘Then?’
‘Business to attend to. During the fair pilgrims gather on the banks of the sacred river Chandrabhaga. You will also see forts, palaces, wildlife, and a peaceful lake where we have a summer palace left to us by a cousin. It’s where we will eventually stay. You might also want to visit the ancient city of bells.’
‘I’m not a tourist, it’s people I want to photograph,’ she said, feeling irritated. ‘And anyway, that’s what the Viceroy has asked for. Not amateur snaps. We are setting up archives in New Delhi. Clifford says it’s about comparing life in the princely states with life in British India.’
‘To our detriment, no doubt.’
She bristled. ‘Not at all. Anyway, I’m hoping to be able to mount a small exhibition of my own if I can find sponsorship.’
‘Well, be careful. Chatur will no doubt think you’re a spy.’ He laughed. ‘Are you?’
Eliza felt her skin prickle with irritation. ‘Of course not. Anyway, who is Chatur?’
‘Thedewan. He runs things.’
She remained silent.
‘Traders from distant parts of Rajputana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra meet at this fair. You will get your shots of people.’
‘And Indira?’
‘Yes, indeed.’
‘Do you want to tell me about her?’
‘Best you should see for yourself. By the way, I take back what I said about your hair. In the sunlight it is reddish or maybe gold, not camel-coloured.’
‘Honey,’ she muttered, but couldn’t resist smiling.
