‘And you mine,’ she’d said. ‘Hamesha.’
‘Always,’ he echoed.
Now, standing in the room with Indi and Jay, Eliza came to with a jolt. She knew she was reddening at the memory and wondered if she could ever look at a desk in quite the same way.
Jay had spotted the colour on her face and winked, but Indi had seen it too. ‘For goodness’ sake. If you want to keep it secret, no more lingering looks.’
Eliza had not been aware of lingering looks, but of course that was the thing about being in love. The sparkly sweet-scented madness that rendered you helpless – so wrapped up in that one person you became oblivious to everyone and everything else. Even though Eliza knew it was lunacy, she did not want it to stop. Not ever. She decided she must practise being more discreet, though at the back of her mind she wasn’t really sure she wanted it to remain a secret. Surely if they explained that they loved each other Laxmi would understand? Then Indi’s earlier remarks about Jay’s previous love affairs came racing back. Was he really the type who fell in love at the drop of a hat and then got bored? As she asked herself that question, she looked at him and the love in his eyes shone out. No. He couldn’t be that kind of man.
25
The following day Eliza was surprised when a handmaiden came to say that Clifford had asked to see her and was waiting in thedurbarhall, wanting to talk with her.
Only ten in the morning and already hot, Eliza slipped into a summer frock she had made herself: vibrant green with white spots, a fitted bodice that had taken ages to get right, short sleeves and a crisp white collar. Then she made her way to thedurbarhall, where she found Clifford walking the length of it with his back to her. She watched for a moment or two. How stiff his narrow shoulders were. She imagined him naked, and at the thought of his pale body she couldn’t help the comparison with Jay, whose skin, when lit by a lamp, glowed like burnished copper. She pictured touching Jay in the way he loved, his body molten and moving in tandem with her so that they seemed to have been designed to fit.
She was sorry for Clifford, but when he twisted round to look at her, she shrank from what looked like triumph in his eyes.
‘So, Eliza, you decided against Shimla.’
‘You know I did. I still have things to do here.’
‘Things to do, Eliza?’
Even though she realized he was trying to embarrass her, she refused to lower her eyes and held his gaze.
‘So?’ he said.
She drew in her breath. ‘Clifford, I’m busy. Was there something?’
‘Yes. Here’s your camera back.’ He handed Eliza a box.
‘Thank you, Clifford. Was there anything else?’
‘Oh yes. Most certainly. Your prints will be back soon.’ He still showed no sign of moving.
‘And?’
‘Let us walk out to the courtyard.’
Outside it was already sweltering and Eliza began to perspire. ‘Aren’t you hot in that linen jacket?’ she said.
‘Don’t worry about me, old girl. I’m used to the heat.’
They walked across to a wide flame tree and made themselves comfortable on a bench beneath it. The birds were sleeping now and all you could hear was the water falling from a small fountain and themalimoving slowly as he tended to the flowerbeds at the other end of the courtyard.
‘So you’re wondering why I’ve come.’
Eliza looked up at the endless blue of the sky and wished he’d leave. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts of Jay. She liked to go over each moment they’d shared, and when she did a little shiver of physical memory gripped her. She was becoming addicted to recalling moments too thrilling to share with anyone, though she knew they’d have to tell people something soon. And bypeople, of course, she meant Laxmi. She was lost in her thoughts when Clifford spoke again, and for a moment assumed she had heard incorrectly.
‘Say that again?’
‘Jayant Singh is likely to be arrested.’
She twisted her body towards him, thinking it must be a joke. He wasn’t smiling.
‘Why?’
He puckered his chin. ‘Under suspicion of insurrection.’
