Pride, Honour & Love

Chapter 17

Through the corner of her eyes Sarah noticed Todd coming and whispering something Jamal, Jamal excusing himself and following Todd....Jacques had gone all stiff and was looking elsewhere, Sarah looked towards My Lady, who too became aware of what is going on......

In the ante-room, Bani displayed the oils for Jamal....Jamal thanked her for taking the trouble, last time my gout pain got better with one of these presented by Jacques, since I was coming I thought let me pick up few more......Jamal took the oil and few others too, paid her, Bani tied the money in her churni, picked up her basket and left, making sure she passed through the hall and caught the sights of the ladies.....while they feigned to looked through her, Bani greeted them nevertheless though barely being acknowledged, men looked at her amusedly, she was an attractive woman and the regulars at the Kothi knew she can answer back....though many guessed her position but nobody spoke out....

My Lady hated her guts, Bani good to see you, you know today is a special day, our Christmas and Bade Laat is getting married to Miss Howard, I have announced their engagement.....

Bani frowned, she did not know the meaning of engagement.....

Unka 'ek hone ka sambandh' My Lady broke it in easy Hindustani for her.....so double celebration, you can join it, that is the feast outside in the tent, all the servants and villagers are enjoying, of course later Bade Laat and Miss Howard will appear in the tent to accept the wishes and blessings .....

Bani smiled, thank you for your concern My Lady but I am nursing my daughter still hence should not be having anything which will upset my system otherwise my daughter will suffer too then turning towards where Sarah and Jacques were standing, catching hold of Sarah eyes, she gave a sarcastic smile before bowing down to pay her respects, turning she walked out her head held high.....

Jacques stood stiffly for some more time and then left abruptly ......

++++

Jacques stood at his window, she was dragging herself towards the tower, as per his reports she did not get up from the bed for nearly two days till Tara cried out in protest for want of milk......today when she stood, her eyes were dark though her cheerful smile was in place.....Jacques watched her going farther and farther away, he felt as if somebody was dissecting his organ and throwing it away from him, if Bani would have cried, abused him and showed her temper things would have been much easier for him, with her silence she is breaking his heart and making him guilty.....

++++

Sarah walked down the corridor softly, she blinked her eyes, yes she has won, Jacques has given into the family pressure but what about love? In this land she will stay without love and want, is it possible....

Now wipe your tears and lets go down, many of the guests will be retiring for the afternoon.....My Lady spoke....

Sarah raised her tearful eyes....

My dear, please remember you are a lady and you will not make a nuisance of yourself....Bani will be taken care off....and remember another thing, men are men and will be men, they are not emotional like us and Jacques will overcome Bani in no time....you just make yourself indispensable....

++++++++

Since it was the hunting season of Dariayaganj, the men (and women who could get up in the early morning) went for hunts, deer, boars and of course wild cats if they were seen.....Jacques was the host so he went alongwith Sarah who seem to enjoy the same. There was a set of men who admired her and she blossomed in their company, Jacques and she always played the perfect couple when it came to entertaining their guests, My Lady always was encouraging but the show was tiring Jacques, at times he felt if he could go somewhere and lie down quietly without having a bother in the world.