“Oh? Have you no hobbies to occupy your days?”
“Astronomy. I prefer to study the stars, thanks to my childhood in the Hyderabad palace.”
Her eyebrows arched, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she knew anything about me or my family in India.
“Have you been to the nizam’s court, Mrs. Sinclair?” I asked.
She dabbed at her mouth with a handkerchief. “No, I have not. What is your maiden name?”
What did I say to such a question? I had wrestled with it, hidden it throughout my childhood. Did I dare reveal it now?
“Noor-un-Nissa Sahib Begum,” I said. “But I am otherwise known as Katherine Grenville, daughter of James Grenville and the princess Khair-un-Nissa Begum.”
The table grew silent. And the servants stared, including one particular young woman, who stumbled as she set the pitcher on the table and sloshed water over the side.
“I should like to find my mother,” I added as I faced Charlotte. Dared I hope to find answers with the Sinclair family? The weight of my words seemed to settle heavily in the room.
There was a brief, unsettling silence, and the servants, who had been moving quietly, remained paused. I had not intended to reveal so much, but something about the gravity of the question seemed to demand an answer. My heart beat painfully—this was more than I had ever shared with anyone outside my family, more than I’d ever intended to say aloud.
“I need to know what became of her and my father,” I continued, my words a little steadier.
Lord Sinclair set down his wineglass with a heavy clunk. Even Julien pierced me with a strange look.
Lord Sinclair frowned. “Diphtheria passed through the palace. It is well-documented.”
“Not entirely. A representative from the East India Company said my father experienced hallucinations in his letter to my grandfather,” I challenged. “Perhaps there was foul play.”
Charlotte’s lips tightened into a thin line, her gaze flicking toward Sebastian. “Truly astounding. Are you implying that your father was murdered?”
“Good heavens, Charlotte.” Lord Sinclair laughed, shaking his head. “Don’t be so dramatic. Katherine, you must forgive mygranddaughter-in-law. She reads far too many novels in her spare time, and I suspect they’ve colored her view of the world.”
Sebastian placed his hand on my knee, and I found it rather comforting.
Lord Sinclair picked up his spoon to sample the pudding in front of him. “I received the court reports as well, but you understand that when James Grenville married your mother, he turned on his interests with England and the Company. It is only natural to assume he had enemies, particularly in a Muslim court ruling over a large Hindu population. And that doesn’t even take into account the threat of the French, who constantly sent in their men to sway others to their side and steer territories to their control.
“Unfortunately, Sikander Jah, nizam of Hyderabad, was not pleased to have his dear daughter given in marriage to an English gentleman. Word had it she saw your father during a diplomatic meeting and demanded immediate introductions. Passionate love matches blind even the cleverest of men. Yes, your father had adversaries. Plenty of them. If you assume murder, you will not easily find the culprit in India.”
I did not care for the keen manner in which Julien stared at me while his grandfather spoke—as if I were a dish to be devoured. Nor did I care for Lord Sinclair’s inappropriate remarks regarding my parents.
“Didn’t your father adopt the Mughal dress and religion?” Julien probed with a sneer.
I did not know much about my father’s religious beliefs, for my grandfather prized none and refused to speak to any of us about it in private.
“I remember him in court dress,” I said. Somehow, I saw my father as similar to my grandfather, choosing only himself to act as a guide.
“My, the pearls in that court—as large as my pinkie,” Charlotte offered. “Did you know it is also known as the city of pearls? A shame so much wealth is kept for the...” She stopped as if realizing her covetousness was on full display.
Nausea returned. Would Sebastian not step in and admonish his family? He remained silent. Listening. The muscle jumping in his jaw.
He had mentioned working with William Carey in a humble cottage and his care for the people of India, but the Sinclairs spoke of India as though it were a jewel to be plucked. I wondered if they realized that every gleaming facet had been chipped from someone’s life.
“I should like to see Hyderabad again,” I said. “And if possible, locate my mother.”
Lord Sinclair paused, his glass hovering in the air, then he set it down with a clink. “The court’s dealings are not so easily navigated these days, and I daresay whatever enemies your father had may extend to you.” He paused, eyes flicking to Sebastian, then back at me. “Perhaps when you’ve settled in a bit, we can discuss it further.”
An acidic taste flooded my mouth. I had poked and prodded my grandfather, particularly when he became blustery, but Lord Sinclair’s smile, his cool politeness, threw me into confusion.
Sebastian removed his hand from my knee, and the sudden absence of warmth left me colder than before.
