Eliza was puzzled, but she did what Dottie asked. The two women left Eliza’s room and went through to a small room at the back of the house.
‘What’s this?’ Eliza asked, looking round.
‘The clothes in here are too small for me. I have put on a bit this last year or so. Such a shame, as one or two are really quite lovely. Try on as many as you wish and then take whichever ones fit.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘I am unlikely ever to be so slim again. Most aren’t very old, so you won’t find them out of date.’
‘We are roughly the same height, aren’t we?’ Eliza said.
‘I may be a fraction taller, but we can take them up if need be.’
By the end of an hour Eliza was feeling sweaty but pleased to have picked out three blouses, two skirts and two dresses. Unfortunately, Dottie had no trousers, but anything else they could probably find in the heat-drenched bazaars. Dottie promised to send one of the Indian maids with Eliza so that if she wanted to buy Indian clothing at the bazaar the maid would pretend it was for her to keep the price down.
And this is exactly what they did. After two hours in the jungle of the bazaar and although the heat had been excruciating, Eliza managed to find everything she needed. Though the streets stank of fish and drains, she had enjoyed herself and, as they returned to Dottie’s at the end of the day, the sky glowed bright pink before the sun finally disappeared completely.
32
Eliza and Dottie were absorbed in rearranging the library when they heard a rap at the front door. Though still early, a small fan already shifted the air and set the dust motes dancing in streams of sunlight. Even at this hour the heat was unbearable, and Dottie had explained that just before the rains, with no relief to be had, everyone turned crotchety.
‘I’ll go,’ Dottie said, as she wiped her hands on her apron then stuffed it behind a cushion.
Eliza raised her brows.
Dottie smiled. ‘Well, you never know.’
While Dottie was in the hall Eliza gazed out of the window at the giant peepal tree in the garden. She longed to be sitting beneath its shade and yet she knew that even the shade gave little relief when the air had become so dry it sucked the moisture from you.
A few minutes later Dottie returned, holding out a small white envelope. ‘For you,’ she said. ‘From the castle.’
Eliza took it and as she held it in her hand she stared, aware of an unsettling sense of foreboding.
‘Aren’t you going to open it?’ Dottie said with an inquisitive look.
‘I … yes, of course. It’s just …’
‘Just what?’
‘I’m probably being silly.’ Once she had torn open the envelope, she drew out a single sheet of paper. As she read it she was aware that her legs had begun to shake. She sat down abruptly and read through again, but still couldn’t quite take it in.
‘Bad news?’ Dottie asked, clearly curious.
‘I’m not sure.’
‘So tell me.’
Eliza hesitated, unsure whether to reveal the contents or not. Then after a moment she spoke. There was nothing to be gained from lying. ‘Jay wants to see me. He’s at a camp somewhere or other.’
Dottie paled and took a seat close to Eliza. ‘Is that a good idea?’
Eliza shook her head.
‘What does he actually say?’
Eliza passed the note to Dottie, who read it and then glanced up. ‘How presumptuous! He thinks you will just drop everything.’
Eliza nodded. ‘I can’t go.’
