‘Don’t be ridiculous. He’s almost as British as you and I.’
‘But not where it counts.’ He thumped his chest. ‘His heart is Indian through and through. Anyone caught circulating seditious papers can be imprisoned indefinitely. Anyone. No appeal. And for a member of a royal family to be active precludes their right to rule for ever.’
‘But he wouldn’t do anything like that,’ she said, feeling heat at the back of her eyelids and pleading with herself not to cry.
‘And you know that, how?’
‘I just do. He’s good and honest.’
‘And you have been spending far too much time with him.’
She stiffened. ‘That isn’t any of your business.’
‘Does his mother know?’
She looked away, knowing her eyes would tell him the truth.
‘I thought not. She won’t be best pleased.’
‘Clifford, please don’t say anything. I’m asking you as a friend.’
He gave her an ingratiating smile. ‘We’ll see.’
Eliza hated that phrase. That andLet me think about itorI’ll give it some thought –the dismissive phrases her mother used to make her feel as if she were insignificant and whatever it was she had asked for was of little or no consequence. She got to her feet.
‘You know what, Clifford. I bloody well don’t care. Do your worst.’
He glanced up at the gallery that circled the courtyard, hidden behindjaliscreens. ‘Never know who’s watching. Personally I can’t imagine anyone wanting to remain in a place like this. Don’t give the silent watchers anything to gossip about. Calm down and sit down. That’s not why I’m here.’
So that was why he’d led her out here. He had known they’d be in full view of thezenanaand she would not wish to make a scene in front of them.
‘Now smile and be a good girl,’ he continued as he patted the seat. She took a deep shuddering breath and sat, though it only made her want to slap his smug face.
‘So what has Jay done? Tell me exactly.’
‘I can’t say just yet.’
‘You’ve no proof, have you?’ She watched his eyes. ‘No proof at all.’
‘Eliza, be assured I have everything I need to put your Prince Jay behind bars for a very long time.’
Even though it was terribly hot, a chill passed through her. He had to be bluffing. Surely. She had a sinking feeling that seemed to be growing by the minute. First, all the things Indi had said about Jay’s affairs with women, and now this. But still she could not believe what he was saying.
‘Why tell these lies, Clifford?’ she said. ‘It won’t make me care for you more.’
‘I need you to take me to Jay’s study without him being there. Can you do that? Is there a way we can do it without being seen?’
‘Why?’
‘There’s something I need to check.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘You want me to help you prove he is disloyal to the British?’
‘You can look at it that way. Or on the other hand it might prove that he is loyal.’
She snorted. ‘And that this is some ridiculous trumped-up charge.’
‘Exactly.’
