The woman, who was somewhere between her own age and that of her mother, had lovely features and glossy black hair that she wore in a long braid that was hanging over the front of one shoulder. She paused after setting down the tray she’d been carrying and looked at Amala, smiling in response to the greeting she’d received.

“Memsahib,” the woman said, and Amala felt a thrill just to be addressed with that word. She knew it was a simple, respectful greeting offered to a woman, but the last time she’d heard the word had been in India, when she’d been nine years old. “Your family has spoken of you with great admiration.” She spoke with an accent far thicker than Amala’s. “It is a genuine pleasure to meet you at last.”

“It is a great pleasure to meet you,” Amala said and glanced at her parents, then Henry, then again at this lovely woman. “I assume my family will tell me what great miracle has transpired to bring you to my home.”

The woman smiled shyly, but she didn’t seem uncomfortable having conversation in the drawing room with the people she worked for. But, then, Amala would never expect her parents or Henry to make their employees feel anything less than comfortable.

“This is Lekha,” Oliver said with great pride. “She is as kind as she is competent and helpful. It’s been a joy to have her here. Lekha, it’s high time you finally meet our Amala.”

“Memsahib,” Lekha said again, nodding slightly.

“I think Lekha should tell you herself how she came to be here,” Oliver added. “Why don’t you sit down with us for a few minutes and briefly tell Amala your story; I’m certain the two of you will be getting better acquainted over time.”

“Thank you, sahib,” Lekha said to Oliver, offering perfect respect toward him, using the male version of the word she’d used to address Amala. Lekha was clearly appreciative of being asked to join the family for a few minutes and didn’t seem at all timid or embarrassed about doing so, but she still offered perfect respect for her employers. Amala already liked her, even though they’d barely met.