The Queen, Her Lover and the Most Notorious Spy in History by Roland Perry

Author:Roland Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2014-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

Husna ignored the governor’s invitations to balls, building openings and exhibitions. But to Elphinstone’s pleasure early January 1855, she turned up in a multicoloured sari at the Gymkhana Club during a cricket match between eleven East India Company representatives and a local squad of twenty Indians.

‘I thought you had no interest in the game,’ he said, shaking hands in front of the other guests in a marquee beside the ground.

‘I hate it,’ she said with a grin, ‘but I was bored and, besides, I was intrigued to see inside this Gymkhana—such a British male bastion. This is a rare event in clubs to which women cannot belong, and especially Indian women.’

It crossed Elphinstone’s mind that she seemed more like the sensual being he had known in Madras, rather than the cynical, apparently hardened individual he had invited to tea in his first months in Bombay.

They sat in wicker chairs and watched the game.

Husna looked around. Men in pith helmets were slumped in chairs, some asleep, others nearly so.

‘It would be helpful if someone had a heart attack,’ she said loudly to Elphinstone, who gave a mock frown of disapproval. ‘It would surely liven things up!’

After a few minutes silence, Elphinstone leaned close to her and asked, ‘Would you like to come to dinner at the residence?’

‘No, merci.’

Elphinstone waited for some explanation. None was forthcoming.

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