The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey

Author:Sujata Massey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Soho Press

23

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Perveen reached home a half hour later. She stepped into the house and inhaled the scent of potatoes fried in butter, and a long-simmering lamb. These were dishes that Gulnaz particularly enjoyed. Perhaps John was cooking them to welcome her back.

Putting down her legal case, Perveen quickly went through the ground floor rooms to the veranda. Camellia was on the settee, her face buried in Stree, the Gujarati women’s magazine. Rustom lounged in a nearby chair, a glass of golden whiskey at his side.

Camellia put the magazine down and smiled at her. “Glad you are home, but you look worn out. The heat is unbearable, isn’t it?”

“I found Sunanda!” Perveen said. “Unfortunately, she’s in jail. I can’t tell you any more about it other than the police took her in because she accidentally violated the conditions for her bail.”

“Gulnaz was crying about her. But she doesn’t sound like a very good character, if she’s committed a crime!” interjected Rustom, his voice slurred.

“She’s a heroine,” Camellia said, frowning at him. “She saved one of Uma Bhatia’s children. That surely is why Perveen is taking care of her.”

Perveen wanted to change the subject. “Did Gulnaz return?”

Rustom glowered at Perveen. “No Gulnaz.”

“But the new ayah came two hours ago,” Camellia said brightly. “Hiba seems perfectly suited for the work.”

Perveen turned to Rustom. “Wonderful. Have you spoken with Hiba, too?”

“I don’t need to. She looks very capable. Loaded with milk.” Rotating his palms in front of his chest, Rustom squeezed his fingers emphatically.

Perveen put her hands on her hips and stared down at him. “Shame on you for that vulgarity!”

“Let that be your last drink, Rustom,” Camellia said softly, giving Perveen a helpless look. “I very much like that Hiba is twenty-nine. Her age gives her confidence and experience. We are doing our best to make her feel appreciated. Actually, she’s staying on our side of the house for . . . convenience.”

Perveen could understand that a nurse wouldn’t wish to stay in a household with just the baby’s father—especially if she’d seen him drinking. “Which of our rooms is Hiba sleeping in?”

“Would you mind terribly if she slept on your balcony? The garden cottage is too far for her to hear a baby’s cry. And she said she likes to be in cool night air.”

“I hope she doesn’t mind Lillian’s squawking.” Perveen would also have to adjust to not using her balcony as she liked for early morning tea—unless Hiba had already gone off to care for Khushy.

“I’m glad you are agreeable,” Camellia said. “And we found that Khushy’s crib fits nicely into your bedroom near your little tea table and chairs.”

Perveen didn’t think she’d heard right. “Why is Khushy’s crib inside my room?”

“Because it’s near Hiba! Don’t worry, dear. Remember that I ordered a full-sized cot to be installed in Khushy’s nursery, meant for Gulnaz’s benefit? You’ll be comfortable there.”

Not only did Perveen dislike the idea of giving up her room, the last face she wanted to see in the morning was Rustom’s.

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