She picked up her chai and looked at the photographs on the wall.
Meena the welder. The breastfeeding mother. The hands with the child's drawing.
Women who weren’t born into privilege like her, yet made the best of their circumstances.
She looked back at Pooja.
“I need a strategy.”
Pooja tilted her head.
“Bharat Jogra responds to logic,” Yamini continued, thinking aloud. “Facts. Efficiency. If I can show him that fulfilling the heir clause sooner rather than later is the more efficient outcome for both parties—”
“You want to out-logic the Jogra maharaja into giving you a baby?” Pooja looked simultaneously horrified and impressed.
“I want to fulfill the contract terms and leave with my inheritance and my dignity intact,” Yamini said.
And even her heart.
Because, despite being controlling, the cold-hearted maharaja made her heart race with just his presence.
CHAPTER 28
The helicopter touched down on the Jogra palace landing pad just as the last light left the mountains.
Yamini stepped out with her camera bag slung over one shoulder.
“Good night, Mr. Tikku.”
The security head returned the greeting with a small nod. “Good night, Your Highness.”
Yamini was looking forward to the quiet meal in her bedroom suite. She was exhausted and hungry after the long day at the studio.
She was still thinking about Pooja's enthusiastic but largely unhelpful conversation when she noticed something.
There were more guards than usual.
There were four additional men at the landing pad. Another four flanked the main entrance, where normally only two stood.
Bharat Jogra must have returned home early. He rarely returned before dinner.
Before she could decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing, the main doors opened as she approached. Inside, the palace staff seemed to hurry with excitement.
Although the staff respected their maharaja, she had never seen them brimming with excitement at his presence.
Strange.
Kamla stepped forward. Kamla, who was normally composed, was also brimming with anticipation.
“Maharani,” Kamla said. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you, Kamla.” Yamini unzipped her coat. “Please send dinner early tonight.”
Kamla took the coat with a smile. “Oh, but you’ll be having dinner at the dining hall tonight.”
Yamini frowned, feeling annoyed that Bharat Jogra had issued a command to have her join him for dinner.
Bossy jerk.
