The Satapur Moonstone by Sujata Massey

Author:Sujata Massey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Crime Fiction
Publisher: Soho Press
Published: 2019-02-26T19:56:28+00:00

15

A Sudden Death

Perveen turned in surprise to see a tall, dark man with a stiffly waxed mustache standing at the door. He looked a little older than thirty and was dressed in a dark purple silk sherwani coat over black trousers and slippers that were studded with what looked like rubies. He had a side-tilted turban set at the same rakish angle as in all the portraits in the family gallery. It was decorated with a lavish ruby brooch. She knew instantly that this debonair man must be Prince Swaroop.

Mr. Basu struggled to his feet. “Your Highness, may I present Miss Perveen Mistry? The Kolhapur Agency sent her.”

“I’m very pleased to meet Your Highness,” Perveen said, not sure whether to hold out her hand for him to shake. After all, he lived in a world where the women observed purdah. She brought the hand out slowly, and he stepped forward and pressed it to his lips, as a Frenchman would. Vandana might have approved—but Perveen recoiled. It had been a long time since any man had kissed her, and she did not enjoy having a stranger take such a liberty.

“Miss Mistry, I’m very relieved you arrived safely. Yesterday was dreadful weather for traveling.” The prince’s pronunciation had a shortened, imperious sound, similar to that of the dowager.

“You knew I was coming?” Perveen asked.

“Of course. My mother told me about the letter from the government. I am only surprised to see that you are not a male.” He gave her a slightly mocking look. “Still, I am glad they sent you. Our family has received far too little attention from the authorities.”

Did he not understand that Colin had been turned away? Perveen spoke in a neutral tone. “I understand your concern. The current political agent has tried to visit twice, but I believe his gender barred him.”

“It was actually a different reason.” He lowered his head and moved closer, as if he was about to share something confidential. “The new Satapur agent has a deformity that my mother believes would bring bad luck, if he were admitted. Purdah was a more palatable excuse.”

“I’ve met him, and I assure you he has no deformity. He had a foot amputated,” Perveen said, feeling her anger rise. “If anything, he behaved heroically, sacrificing his own safety for that of a child.”

“What’s gone is gone. You have met the challenge. In fact, my mother wishes to see more of you. She has asked for you to join us at lunch in the old palace at two o’clock.” He beamed at her, as if this was delightful news.

Perveen doubted the elderly queen wanted to entertain her; more scolding was sure to come. “Thank you for telling me. That would be lovely.”

“And how long are you staying?” He smiled again, and she had the dreadful thought that maybe he did want her on the premises. The kiss on the hand could have been a taste of overtures to come.

“Just until I’ve gathered all the information for my report.

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